Every year, as tax season approaches, millions of people face various problems. The IRS transcript plays a crucial role in resolving these issues, as it helps in solving many tax filing problems, especially when all the necessary documents are not available.
An IRS transcript is a summary of an individual’s tax record, issued by the Internal Revenue Service itself to make filing more convenient for the taxpayers. It is also used for other purposes such as loan applications, FAFSA, visas, etc.
As the 2026 tax season is fast approaching, the importance of the IRS transcript has increased for taxpayers. If you understand this document and file your tax return accordingly, you will likely have no problems receiving your refund and will avoid other potential difficulties.
IRS Transcript
An IRS transcript is a computer-generated report that contains all the information related to your tax return. It provides a complete explanation of your income, taxable amount, tax credits, payments, refunds, and any changes made by the IRS.
You should know that this document is not a copy of your tax return, and it does not include your W-2 form. However, this document is still legally valid because most institutions accept it.
Types of IRS Transcripts
The Internal Revenue Service provides five types of transcripts, the details of which we have listed below.
- Tax Return Transcript: It is a summary of the tax return that was filed, but it does not reflect any subsequent changes made to the tax return. It is most commonly used for loan applications and FAFSA.
- Tax Account Transcript: It shows details related to tax payments, refunds, penalties, and interest. Its advantage is that it shows changes made by the IRS.
- Record of Account Transcript: It is a combination of a tax return and a tax account. The most detailed information is available on this transcript.
- Wage and Income Transcripts: Income reports such as W-2, 1099, and 1098 are available, which are most useful for people who have lost their documents.
- Verification of Non-Filing Letter: It is proof that you did not file taxes for a particular year.
Why is an IRS transcript necessary for the 2026 tax season?
For all Americans who will be filing tax returns in 2026, an IRS transcript is essential because it helps them file their returns correctly. It allows them to see if their income and tax details match the information the IRS has on file.
The advantage of verifying details with the transcript is that it reveals whether the IRS made any changes to the return you filed last year. If all the details in the filed return match the transcript, then there is usually no problem in receiving the refund.
How does an IRS transcript help with tax filing?
IRS transcripts play a very important role in tax filing because they help us report the correct adjusted gross income and prevent duplicate or incorrect income reporting. Any mistakes made in the tax return will inevitably lead to delays in receiving a refund and can cause other kinds of problems.
To avoid rejection during e-filing, the IRS transcript is the most important document, and even if you unfortunately need to file an amended return, you will still need to use it. It has been observed that tax returns filed without verifying the details against the transcript inevitably contain errors.
IRS transcripts’ roles in claiming tax credits
The IRS keeps a close watch on refundable and partially refundable tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), American Opportunity Credit (AOTC), Premium Tax Credit (PTC), etc.
Because of this monitoring by the IRS, by looking at the transcript, you can find out how much credit you received last time, whether any changes were made to your return, and also whether your current income limit is correct or not.
Help understanding refund status and IRS notices
In case of a refund delay or if you receive a notice from the IRS, a transcript can help you understand whether the refund has been processed, if any offset or deduction has been applied, or if any changes have been made to your return.
The advantage of this is that you don’t have to repeatedly contact the Internal Revenue Service to find out why your return is taking so long to process.
How to Get an IRS Transcript?
There are three ways to obtain an IRS transcript: first, by applying online; second, by mail; and third, by phone. We have provided the process for all three methods below.
Online:
- Go to the IRS website
- Click Get Transcript Online
- Sign in or create an IRS account
- Verify your identity (ID.me)
- Choose the Transcript Type
- Select the Tax Year and download the PDF
Mail:
- Go to ‘Get Transcript by Mail’ on the IRS website.
- Enter your SSN
- Enter your date of birth.
- Enter your address (must match IRS records).
- Choose the Transcript Type
- Submit and wait 5–10 days
Phone:
- Call 800-908-9946
- Choose your language
- Select Transcript Type
- Choose the Tax Year
- Confirm your mailing address
- Receive transcript by mail in 5–10 days
Disclaimer: IRS transcript information is for general awareness only. Official records and requests are handled directly by the IRS.
