How to Order Tax Return Transcripts/IRS Documentation

Verification of Non-Filing Statement

Department of Education verification requirement for the 2022–23 award year:

For an individual who has not filed and is not required to file a 2020 income tax return:

  • A signed statement certifying—

    • That the individual has not filed and is not required to file a 2020 income tax return; and
    • The sources of 2020 income earned from work and the amount of income from each source;
    • A copy of IRS Form W–2 for each source of 2020 employment income received or an equivalent document (IRS Wage and Income transcript); and

Confirmation of non-filing from the IRS or other relevant taxing authority dated on or after October 1, 2020 (IRS Verification of Nonfiling Statement)

Option #1: Use the “Get Transcript Online” feature at irs.gov/transcript.

In order to use this feature, you will need the following:

  • your social security number (SSN), date of birth, filing status and mailing address from latest tax return,
  • access to your email account,
  • your personal account number from a credit card, mortgage, home equity loan, home equity line of credit or car loan, and
  • a mobile phone with your name on the account.

Set up your account, log in, and print your Verification of Nonfiling statement directly from the website.

Option #2: Use IRS Form 4506-T.

  • Complete the form following the instructions on the front page.
  • Make sure to check box 7 on the form.
  • Fax or mail your completed form to the appropriate fax number or address.  It should take approximately 5 to 10 calendar days to receive your statement once the 4506-T is received by the IRS.

If you are not able to use Option #1, you will need to use IRS Form 4506-T.  IRS systems will not allow you to request the Verification of Nonfiling statement through any of their other request methods including the 800 number or the online “Get Transcript by Mail” option.

Wage and Income Transcript

Option #1: Use the “Get Transcript Online” feature at irs.gov/transcript.

In order to use this feature, you will need the following:

  • your social security number (SSN), date of birth, filing status and mailing address from latest tax return,
  • access to your email account,
  • your personal account number from a credit card, mortgage, home equity loan, home equity line of credit or car loan, and
  • a mobile phone with your name on the account.

Set up your account, log in, and print your Wage & Income transcript directly from the website.

Option #2: Use IRS Form 4506-T.

  • Complete the form following the instructions on the front page.
  • Make sure to check box 8 on the form.
  • Fax or mail your completed form to the appropriate fax number or address.  It should take approximately 5 to 10 calendar days to receive your transcript once the 4506-T is received by the IRS.

If you are not able to use Option #1, you will need to use IRS Form 4506-T.  IRS systems will not allow you to request the Wage & Income Transcript through any of their other request methods including the 800 number or the online “Get Transcript by Mail” option.

Tax Return Transcript

If you filed taxes and are required to provide that information to the Financial Aid Office for verification purposes, the best thing to do is to make corrections to your FAFSA and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If you are able to use the data retrieval tool to transfer your tax information to your FAFSA, you will not need to provide your tax return transcript (as long as you do not change any of the transferred data).

If you are unable to use the data retrieval tool on the FAFSA, you will need to request your tax return transcript and submit it to the Financial Aid Office.

Reasons you may not be able to use the data retrieval tool:

  • If you filed “Married Filing Separately”;
  • If you filed a Foreign or Puerto Rican tax return;
  • If you amended your tax return (by submitting a 1040X);
  • If you filed electronically less than 2 to 4 weeks ago;
  • If you filed by mail less than 6 weeks ago;
  • If your filing status does not agree with the marital status reported on your FAFSA;
  • (For parents reporting tax information on the student’s FAFSA) If your parents are unmarried, but living together.

Options for requesting a Tax Return Transcript (TRT):

Option #1: Use the “Get Transcript Online” feature at irs.gov/transcript.

In order to use this feature, you will need the following:

  • your social security number (SSN), date of birth, filing status and mailing address from latest tax return,
  • access to your email account,
  • your personal account number from a credit card, mortgage, home equity loan, home equity line of credit or car loan, and
  • a mobile phone with your name on the account.

Set up your account, log in, and print your TRT directly from the website.

Option #2: Use the “Get Transcript by Mail” feature at irs.gov/transcript.

*Note: This option will only work if you are the primary taxpayer (your name must be the first listed on your tax return).

Option #3: Use the automated request by phone by calling (800) 908-9946.

Follow the prompts for requesting a Return Transcript.

*Note: This option will only work if you are the primary taxpayer (your name must be the first listed on your tax return).

Option #4: Use IRS Form 4506-T.

  • Complete the form following the instructions on the front page.
  • Make sure to check box 6a on the form.
  • Fax or mail your completed form to the appropriate fax number or address. It should take approximately 5 to 10 calendar days to receive your transcript once the 4506-T is received by the IRS.

Amended Tax Return Requirements

If you filed an IRS Form 1040X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return), you will need to submit:

Requirements for Victims of Tax-Related Identity Theft

If you were a victim of tax-related identity theft, you will need to turn in:

  • a completed Income Verification for Victims of Tax-Related Identity Theft form
    (the 18/19 version of this form includes the signed statement confirming you have notified the IRS of the identity theft),
  • a signed statement confirming you have notified the IRS of the tax-related identity theft, and
  • an IRS Tax Return Data Base View (TRDBV)
    • call the Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) at (800) 908-4490 to request an IRS Tax Return Data Base View (TRDBV) of your tax information
      *Note: This phone number is not the same as the number used to request a Tax Return Transcript.

How Do I Know if I Need to Order Tax Return Transcripts?

You will need to order a free tax return transcript if any of the following:

  • You were selected for verification, used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, and changed the imported data on the FAFSA
  • You were selected for verification and could not or did not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. You would not have been able to use the Data Retrieval Tool if you filed:
    • Married, filing separately,
    • Married, head of household,
    • An amended tax return,
    • A foreign tax return, OR
    • Have a change in marital status after December 31, 2020

Please Note: If you can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool but choose not to at the time, you can log back into your FAFSA (make corrections) and use the Data Retrieval Tool to transfer your tax information to the FAFSA rather than submit a Tax Return Transcript and the applicable Income Verification Form.  Make sure you submit your correction and get a new confirmation page.

How Do I Order My Tax Return Transcripts?

You have three options to obtain your tax return transcripts:

  • Get transcript ONLINE (you can download and print) at the IRS website: Get Transcript online

    • *be sure to disable pop-up blockers in order to download
  • Get transcript by MAIL online request at the IRS website: Get Transcript by mail
  • Order by phone at 1-800-908-9946

I'm Having Issues with My Address or Security Questions While Ordering Online, What Now?

The address matching/security system used by the IRS to log in to their site is very picky and it must match the information on file with them exactly. The address is usually what was on your last taxes. We suggest that you have your taxes in front of you to copy that address carefully. For example, spelling out the word “Street” rather than using the abbreviation “St” can be enough to cause an error in their system. 

If you get locked-out or need help, the IRS.gov Website Help Desk can be reached toll-free at 1-800-876-1715, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

When Can I Order My Tax Return Transcripts?

The timing of when you can successfully request a copy of your Tax Return Transcripts depends on if you owe taxes at the time of filing, and if you filed electronically or by paper. See below for more details.

 

Electronic Filing

Paper Filing

Filer who either did not owe an amount, or is expecting a refund

2-3 weeks after submission in most cases

8-11 weeks later in most cases

Filer who owed an amount, and made a full payment while filing

2-3 weeks after submission in most cases

 

IRS will start processing the tax return in June, Tax Return Transcript requests can be made successfully 2-3 weeks later in most cases

Filer who owed an amount, and made a full payment after filing

 

3-4 weeks after the payment is processed by the IRS in most cases

IRS will start processing the tax return in June, Tax Return Transcript requests can be made successfully 2-3 weeks later in most cases

Filer who owed an amount, and have not yet paid in full

IRS will start processing the tax return in May, Tax Return Transcript requests can be made successfully 2-3 weeks later in most cases

IRS will start processing the tax return in June, Tax Return Transcript requests can be made successfully 2-3 weeks later in most cases

Who Can Order the Tax Return Transcript?

Only the first person who was listed on the federal tax return (the primary taxpayer) will be able to order a transcript using the online “Get Transcript” or automated phone services.  All others will need to complete an IRS Form 4506-T

How Much Does it Cost?

It is free to order or view a tax return transcript.

How Long Does it Take to Receive my Tax Return Transcript?

Please see the section above that details when a request can be made as all requests must be made after the appropriate waiting period before they can be made successfully. Requests to view the transcript online can fulfilled immediately if all requirements are met. Requests made via the online order and phone options take an average of 5-10 calendar days to be filled if all requirements are met.

What is a Tax Account Transcript?

While ordering, you may notice the option to request a tax account transcript. Please note that this will not satisfy the requirement, you must order a tax return transcript.

Can I Just Send a Copy of My Tax Return Transcripts?

No. The U.S. Department of Education no longer accepts a tax return for verification purposes.

What Do I Do if I Filed Amended Returns?

If you filed an amended tax return, you will need to submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript and a signed copy of your IRS Form 1040X.

Here are some additional resources.

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