The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 4506-T, or Request for Transcript of Tax Return, is the form to use if you are a U.S. taxpayer and want to request exact copies of previously filed tax returns and tax information.
Among other beneficial purposes, you may use copies of your previously filed tax returns and tax information to apply for government benefits, verify your income for the approval of your loan application, and file a claim for refund or abatement.
Using Form 4506-T, you may also request copies of your previously filed returns to be sent directly to a third-party. After signing and filing the form, once processed, the government agency will send copies of requested tax returns to the third-party. One of the most common third-parties that require copies of your previously filed returns is a mortgage lender. The lender may use the documents to verify your capacity to pay for the loan that you are applying for.
IRS Transcript
You can request an IRS transcript at any time. An IRS transcript contains an overview of your tax information, including your wages and taxable income. However, it displays only partial personal information, such as concealing all but the last four digits of a taxpayer’s SSN, for privacy and security.
Using Form 4506-T you may request for your Tax Return Transcript, Tax Account Transcript, Record of Account Transcript, Wage and Income Transcript, and a Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
Filling Out Form 4506-T
Without the general instructions page, Form 4506-T is only a single-page document. Provide all the necessary information for the federal agency to locate your records easily and accurately. Do not sign and submit the form unless all applicable lines have been answered.
Line 1a asks for your full legal name as it appears on your tax returns.
Line 1b asks for your employer identification number (EIN) if your return request is business-related. Otherwise, enter your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Line 2a is applicable if a joint tax return. Provide the name of your spouse as it shows on a tax return.
Line 2b is applicable if a joint tax return. Provide the Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) of your spouse.
Line 3 asks for your current address. If you use a P.O. box, provide it on this line.
Line 4 asks for the address shown on the last return filed. Provide the address if different from the address on Line 3.
Line 5 asks for the third party’s name, address, and telephone number. Only use this line if you mail the transcript or tax information.
Line 6 asks for your tax form number.
Line 6a has a checkbox that you should mark if you are requesting a Tax Return Transcript.
Line 6b has a checkbox that you should mark if you are requesting an Account Transcript.
Line 6c has a checkbox that you should mark if you are requesting a Record Account Transcript.
Line 7 has a checkbox that you should mark if you are requesting a Verification of Non-Filing document.
Line 8 has a checkbox that you should mark if you are requesting a transcript of your Form W-2 or any filed form in the 1099, 1098, and 5498 series.
Line 9 asks for the ending date of the year or period of tax years requested. Use the MM/DD/YYYY format.
Signature of taxpayers and date requires your signature and the date the form was signed for authentication. Check the box in this section to certify that you have the authority to sign and request information.
To prevent any delay in your application, review all the information you have provided before submitting the form, ensuring that all the details are accurate. Fill out Form 4506-T as truthfully as possible, as deliberately providing false statements in any legal document is punishable by law and can result in penalties and imprisonment.
Methods to request transcripts
You have several options to request and obtain transcripts.
Request online
To request an IRS transcript online, you need to create an account on the IRS official website and access the Get Transcript page. This method lets you view, print, and download your transcript. To register, you will need to authenticate your identity by providing some personal information.
Request by mail
Using the Get Transcript by Mail feature on IRS’s official website, you can get your transcript mailed to you. To request, you will need your SSN, ITIN or 10-digit customer file number from a lender, your date of birth, and mailing address. It typically takes five to ten days to process your request by mail and only the Record of Account and Tax Return transcripts are receivable by mail.
Request via phone
Call the IRS at 800-908-9946 to request an IRS transcript via phone. Requests via phone take five to ten days to process.
The IRS does not call, email, and send text messages. Therefore, you should not respond to individuals claiming that they are from the federal agency while waiting for your requested transcript.
