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How to Request an IRS Tax Transcript: Online, Mail, or Phone
The three official IRS channels for requesting a tax transcript, mail delivery timing, and which form covers a transcript versus a full copy of your return.
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What matters now
- You can request an IRS tax transcript online, by mail, or by phone.
- Mail requests for a transcript take 5 to 10 calendar days to arrive at the address on file with the IRS.
- Form 4506-T covers all transcript types by mail; the shorter Form 4506-T-EZ covers only the tax return transcript.
- Form 4506 is for a full copy of your filed return, not a transcript.
- This article explains how to request a transcript, not which transcript type to choose for your situation.
The IRS offers three official ways to request a tax transcript: through your online account, by mail, or by calling its automated phone line. Which form you need for a mailed request also depends on what you’re asking for — a transcript, or a full copy of the return you filed.
This original record-reading guide is a general reading aid, not cited evidence. It does not depict a source record; the article text and source links provide the facts.
Key points
- Your online account lets you “View, print or download your transcripts” directly (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript).
- Transcripts requested by mail “arrive in 5 to 10 calendar days at the address we have on file for you” (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript).
- You can start a mail request by “calling our automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946” (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript).
- The IRS describes Form 4506-T as “Offers all transcript types delivered by mail,” while the shorter Form 4506-T-EZ is described as “Offers only the tax return transcript delivered by mail” (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript).
- Form 4506 is for a photocopy of your actual filed return, not a transcript (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript).
How to request a transcript
The online account lets a reader “View, print or download your transcripts.” (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) The IRS states that mailed transcripts “arrive in 5 to 10 calendar days at the address we have on file for you.” (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) The page also gives the automated phone transcript service number: 800-908-9946. (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript)
Which form to file
Which form you need depends on what you’re asking for:
- For any transcript type delivered by mail, use Form 4506-T. The IRS’s page for this form is titled “About Form 4506-T” and describes it as “Offers all transcript types delivered by mail” (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript).
- If you specifically want only the tax return transcript by mail, use the shorter Form 4506-T-EZ. The IRS’s page for this form is titled “About Form 4506-T-EZ” and describes it as “Offers only the tax return transcript delivered by mail” (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript).
- If you need an actual copy of the return you filed, rather than a transcript, use Form 4506. The IRS instructs: “If you need a photocopy of your return, submit Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return” (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript).
What this article doesn’t cover
This article explains the request paths and the form descriptions displayed on the cited IRS page. It does not identify which transcript type a particular reader should request or describe the contents of every transcript type.