How to Download Your IRS Tax Transcripts

Whether you’re applying for a mortgage, refinancing, or just organizing your financial records, your IRS tax transcripts can serve as an official record of your income, filings, and tax return status. These transcripts are often requested by lenders to verify income or tax filing history — especially for self-employed borrowers or those with complex income sources.

Here’s how you can access and download your IRS transcripts quickly and securely.

What Is a Tax Transcript?

A tax transcript is an official summary of your federal tax return, as filed with the IRS. It’s not an exact copy of your return, but it includes key information such as:

• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
  
• Filing status
  
• Income details
  
• Withholdings and credits
  
• Self-employment tax paid (if applicable)

There are several types of transcripts available, but most mortgage lenders typically ask for the Tax Return Transcript or Record of Account Transcript.

Step-by-Step: How to Download Your Tax Transcript from the IRS

1. Go to the IRS Website

Visit the official IRS transcript portal: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

2. Choose “Get Transcript Online”

You’ll see two options:

• Get Transcript Online – Instant access (recommended)
  
• Get Transcript by Mail – Arrives in 5–10 business days

Click “Get Transcript Online” to download your transcript immediately.

🛑 If you’ve never used this IRS tool before, you’ll need to create an account. Be ready to verify your identity using:

• Email address
  
• Date of birth
  
• Filing status and Social Security number
  
• Mobile phone registered to your name
  
• One financial account (like a credit card, mortgage, or student loan)

3. Sign in or Register

If you already have an account, log in. Otherwise, follow the prompts to create one. This typically takes just a few minutes.

4. Select the Reason

You’ll be asked why you’re requesting the transcript. Choose “Income Verification” or “Mortgage” from the list — either is acceptable for lending purposes.

5. Choose the Transcript Type and Year

You’ll see a list of available transcript types:

• Return Transcript – Most commonly used for mortgage applications
  
• Account Transcript – Summary of account history
  
• Record of Account – Combines Return + Account details
  
• Wage and Income Transcript – Shows W-2s, 1099s, etc.
  
• Verification of Non-Filing Letter – Confirms no return was filed

Click on the type you need and choose the tax year requested by your lender (usually the past two years).

6. Download and Save

The file will be displayed as a PDF. Download it, save it securely, and either email it to your loan officer or upload it to your secure loan portal.

What If You Can’t Access Your Transcript Online?

If you can’t pass the online identity verification or prefer to receive the document by mail, you can go back to the IRS page and select “Get Transcript by Mail”. You’ll receive a copy within 5–10 business days at the address the IRS has on file for you.

Final Notes

Tax transcripts are a reliable, IRS-issued document and are often preferred over copies of filed returns for mortgage and financial applications. They’re free to obtain, and once downloaded, can be stored digitally for future use.

If you’re not sure which transcript type your lender needs, just ask your mortgage advisor — we’ll guide you to the right one.