It used to take taxpayers a long time to access their tax records from the IRS. Now the IRS has several online tools to make IRS transcripts easy to access. If you have an account at IRS.gov you can access your tax transcripts online immediately.
Requesting your transcripts by mail, phone, and with a 4506-T is still available. However, requesting your tax transcript online is the fastest way to access them.
You only need an IRS or ID.me account to take advantage of this service. This service is only for individual taxpayers and individual use. Once you log on you will find:
all 5 transcript types.
the option to view, print, or download your transcript.
So let's look at the 3 steps to access your tax transcripts online.
Step # 1 - Log in to your IRS.gov or ID.me account
There are a lot of different options to choose from on the IRS.gov home page. There is a section that says "How can we help you?". In the second column, you will find an option that says, "Get Your Tax Record". You will find it in the exhibit below.
Scroll down to "Request Online". There will be a blue button that says "Get Transcript Online". Push that button. I have circled the button for you down below.
You will see the option to log in with your existing IRS username or ID.me login. Choose whichever option applies to you or create a username.
Step # 2 - Select the reason you need an IRS transcript.
When you log in the site will ask you to do two things.
Select a reason you need a transcript
Customer File Number
You will not have a customer file number. But you will need to select a reason for pulling your transcript. The drop-down arrow will show you the full list of reasons. They are:
Higher Education/Student Aid
FEMA/Disaster Related
State or Local Tax Issue
Mortgage-Related
State Licensing
Income Verification
Federal Tax
Small Business Loan
Health Care
Immigration
Housing Assistance
Adjusted Gross Income
Other
The selection you choose will help guide you to the correct transcript. If you select "other" you will see all 5 transcripts if they are available on your account.
You can read, "What is a Tax Transcript? The 5 Different Tax Transcripts" to find out the different uses for each transcript.
# 3 - Select the IRS transcript type you need and the tax year.
When you have fully logged in you will see the tax transcript types. Under each type, you will see the years available to you. In the example below you will not see verification on non-filing letters because I have filed all my tax returns.
Once you have opened the year you are looking for you can print the transcript. You can also save the transcript to your desktop or cloud for your records.
If you are having any issues with accessing your tax transcript online you can contact the IRS help desk. Pulling your tax transcripts is the first step you should take if you owe the IRS and can't pay today. If your balance is under $20,000 and you pay it within 36 months and have all of your tax returns filed I recommend my e-book, Guaranteed Payment Plan because back taxes shouldn't ruin your life.
Timalyn S. Bowens EA is America's Favorite EA and Tax Expert who will work hard to find a customized legal solution for you! As an Enrolled Agent licensed through the Internal Revenue Service Timalyn is able to fight the IRS for taxpayers in all 50 states. As the host of Tax Relief with Timalyn Bowens and a YouTube content creator she empowers taxpayers to make educated decisions about their tax situation.
When you are facing questions regarding your personal or business taxes, working with a professional makes all the difference. At Bowens Tax Solutions, we serve our Louisville-area neighbors by providing the tax services and knowledge needed to succeed. We are here to assist you with your tax issues and preventative care. Visit our website at www.bowenstaxsolutions.com for more information.
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