Are tax transcripts the same as tax returns

IRS Definition:

The IRS has five types of transcripts:

• Tax Return Transcript – shows most line items including your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your original tax return (Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) as filed, along with any forms and schedules. It doesn’t show changes made after you filed your original return.
• Tax Account Transcript – shows basic data such as return type, marital status, adjusted gross income, taxable income and all payment types. It also shows changes made after you filed your original return.
• Record of Account Transcript – combines the tax return and tax account transcripts above into one complete transcript.
• Wage and Income Transcript – shows data from information returns we receive such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098 and Form 5498, IRA Contribution Information. Current tax year information may not be complete until July.
• Verification of Non-filing Letter – provides proof that the IRS has no record of a filed Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ for the year you requested. It doesn’t indicate whether you were required to file a return for that year.

More from H&R Block:

There are five types of tax transcripts, which you can access online or request by phone or mail:

1. An account transcript provides an overview of your account.

Account transcripts show filings, extensions, withholding, credits and any follow-up transactions on your account, including penalties, assessments, IRS inquiries and other account activity. Basically, if there have been any IRS actions on your account, they will appear on this transcript.

2. A return transcript shows most lines from your original tax return as the IRS processed it.

Changes made to the return after it was processed are not reflected, including any amended returns you may have filed. If you need a copy of your tax return for any reason, such as a loan or financial aid application, this is the transcript to use.

3. A record of account transcript is simply a combination of the account and return transcripts.

The IRS makes this available because it shows the big picture, from your original return filed to any changes made to the return after processing.

4. A wage and income transcript provides a listing of information statements (Forms W-2, 1099) that show income reported to the IRS under your Social Security Number.

You can use this transcript to help file an extended tax return, verify employment, or keep a personal record of income.

5. A verification of nonfiling letter is a transcript that is automatically produced when the IRS doesn’t have your return on file or hasn’t processed your filed return yet.

What do the transaction codes mean on account transcripts?

Transcript transaction codes represent actions on your IRS account. They provide a literal description of the action. For routine filers with no post-filing compliance activity, account transcripts are typically easy to interpret. But if you have post-filing compliance activity, such as tax notices and correspondence with the IRS, transcripts can be confusing.

Learn how to research your IRS account — or authorize a tax pro to communicate with the IRS for you.

You can easily get a free copy of your tax transcript online from the IRS. The process involves navigating to the "Tax Records" section of the agency's website, and downloading your IRS transcript.

Other ways to get tax transcripts from the IRS include making a request by phone or mail. However, the agency's online portal is the quickest way for most people to retrieve IRS transcripts.

Tax transcripts can be used to show proof of income to lenders, such as when you apply for a mortgage or an auto loan. You can also use a tax transcript to see detailed information on your previous tax returns. If you file estimated taxes, tax transcripts can help you figure out how much you’ll need to pay in the future.

How do I get an IRS tax transcript?

How to get an IRS transcript online

If you have an online IRS account, you can simply log in to your account and navigate to the "Tax Records" tab. There you'll be able to select, view or download the tax transcript you need.

If you don't have an existing IRS account, you can still request a transcript online by navigating to the IRS' Get Transcript web page to create an account. It's helpful to have a few things handy, such as your Social Security number, access to your preferred email address and a photo ID, before you begin.

How to get an IRS transcript via phone

• Call the IRS at 800-908-9946.

• The transcript will be sent to you in the mail.

• Orders typically take 5 to 10 days to process.

How to get an IRS transcript by mail

• Navigate to the IRS' Get Transcript web page and click on the "Get Transcript by Mail" button to begin your request. You'll need to supply your Social Security number, date of birth and address.

• Per the IRS, orders will be mailed within 5–10 business days.

• You can also print a copy of IRS Form 4506-T or IRS Form 4506-T-EZ, fill it out and mail it. Orders will be processed within 10 business days.

What type of IRS transcript do I need?

However you decide to make your request, it's a good idea to make sure you know exactly what you need. There are five different kinds of tax transcripts you can get from the IRS.

How do I get my actual tax return?

IRS tax transcripts are not photocopies of your actual tax return with all the forms and attachments.

• If you want an actual copy of an old tax return, you’ll need to complete IRS Form 4506 and mail it to the IRS.

• There’s a $43 fee for copies of tax returns (unless you live in a federally declared disaster area), and requests can take up to 75 days to process.

Are there other ways to get tax records?

If you’re looking for your tax records and you used tax software, your tax software provider may have them on file depending on which provider you used and what program you purchased. If you used a tax preparer, they may still have your tax returns on file as well.

	Federal: $24.95 to $64.95. Free version available for simple returns only. State: $29.95 to $44.95. All filers get access to Xpert Assist for free until April 7. Promotion: NerdWallet users get 25% off federal and state filing costs.
	Federal: $39 to $119. Free version available for simple returns only. State: $49 per state. TurboTax Live packages offer review with a tax expert. Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to $15 on TurboTax.
	Federal: $29.99 to $84.99. Free version available for simple returns only. State: $36.99 per state. Online Assist add-on gets you on-demand tax help.

What is the difference between a tax transcript and return?

Is a tax transcript the same as a 1040?

What does a tax transcript tell you?