Get an IRS tax transcript: select the type and tax year
Use IRS Individual Online Account to view, print or download your available tax transcripts. Confirm the transcript type and tax year first; tax return, tax account and wage and income transcripts answer different questions.
Ask the requesting organization for the transcript’s exact name and year. The IRS offers several types at no charge; choosing by whichever file appears first can produce the wrong evidence.
Match the transcript to the request
| Type | Main purpose of the record |
|---|---|
| Tax return transcript | Most items from the return as originally filed |
| Tax account transcript | Account data, payment information and later changes |
| Record of account | Combined return and account transcript |
| Wage and income transcript | Information returns received by IRS, such as W-2 and 1099 data |
The types have different year availability. A transcript is also different from a photocopy of the return; IRS directs requests for a return copy to Form 4506.
Obtain the record
- Open Get your tax records and transcripts on IRS.gov.
- Sign in to Individual Online Account using the official route.
- Select the required transcript type and tax year, then view, print or download it.
- If online access is unavailable, check the mail service for tax return or tax account transcripts. It uses the address on IRS records.
- For other transcript types by mail, consult the official Form 4506-T instructions linked from the type guide.
Preserve the downloaded record
Open the file and compare its holder, year and type with the request. Keep it separate from a draft tax return or a document for another household member. If a current-year transcript is unavailable, consult IRS availability guidance before assuming an error in your filing.
IRS transcripts partially mask identifying details while leaving financial information visible. Do not treat that as permission to distribute the full financial record widely. Confirm the recipient’s channel and requested scope.
Keep the issued download unchanged. A PDF conversion or screenshot can lose structure and selectable text, so avoid replacing the source merely to make it easier to store. The document-storage guide covers personal-copy organisation.
Questions about IRS transcripts
Is a tax return transcript the same as an account transcript?
No. The return transcript reflects the original filing, while the account transcript includes account information and subsequent changes.
Can I request a transcript by mail?
Yes. The standard mail service supplies tax return or account transcripts. Other types can be requested through the applicable official form.
Should I convert the transcript to images before sharing?
Keep the original download and follow the recipient’s format requirement. An image-based derivative may remove useful document structure.