Updated October 17, 2026. Quick answer: Form 4506-T is the Request for Transcript of Tax Return. The one decision is which transcript fits: a return, account, record of account, wage and income transcript, or a verification of non-filing. The form says copies of returns are requested on Form 4506 instead.
More IRS forms and schedules, read line by line: Form 4852 substitute W-2 or 1099-R.
Form lines read one part at a time: Form 2848 lines 1 and 2, Form 2848 lines 3 to 7 and Form 2848 Part II.
What Form 4506-T requests
The purpose line reads “Use Form 4506-T to request tax return information.” The form also marks a different product: “Use Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, to request copies of tax returns.”
The caution on line 8 repeats the point for wage statements: “To get a copy of the Form W-2 or Form 1099 filed with your return, you must use Form 4506 and request a copy of your return, which includes all attachments.” Before that, “If you need a copy of Form W-2 or Form 1099, you should first contact the payer.”
Which transcript on lines 6 to 8
The form says to “Enter only one tax form number per request.” The transcript types, with the signature rule, are printed as follows.
| Item | As printed on the form |
|---|---|
| Return Transcript | “Return Transcript, which includes most of the line items of a tax return as filed with the IRS.” |
| Account Transcript | “Account Transcript, which contains information on the financial status of the account, such as payments made on the account” |
| Record of Account | “Record of Account, which provides the most detailed information as it is a combination of the Return Transcript and the Account Transcript.” |
| Wage and income transcript, availability | “The IRS may be able to provide this transcript information for up to 10 years.” |
| Verification of non-filing | “Verification of Nonfiling, which is proof from the IRS that you did not file a return for the year.” |
| Signature rule (form) | “Note: This form must be received by IRS within 120 days of the signature date.” |
| Signature rule (instructions) | “The IRS must receive Form 4506-T within 120 days of the date signed by the taxpayer or it will be rejected.” |
When the choice is unclear, “If you are unsure of which type of transcript you need, request the Record of Account, as it provides the most detailed information.”
Availability statements
For the return transcript, “A tax return transcript does not reflect changes made to the account after the return is processed.” “Return transcripts are available for the current year and returns processed during the prior 3 processing years.”
For the wage and income transcript, “Information for the current year is generally not available until the year after it is filed with the IRS.” “State or local information is not included with the Form W-2 information.”
For non-filing, “Current year requests are only available after June 15th.” “There are no availability restrictions on prior year requests.”
Signing, year and where it goes
Line 9 asks for the period: “Enter the end date of the tax year or period requested in mm/dd/yyyy format.” “Example: Enter 12/31/2018 for a calendar year 2018 Form 1040 transcript.”
The signature rules are on the form: “Form 4506-T must be signed and dated by the taxpayer listed on line 1a or 2a.” For joint returns, “If the request applies to a joint return, at least one spouse must sign.” “Ensure that all applicable lines are completed before signing.”
A representative can sign only under a stated condition: “A representative can sign Form 4506-T for a taxpayer only if the taxpayer has specifically delegated this authority to the representative on Form 2848, line 5.”
For mailing, “Mail or fax Form 4506-T to the address below for the state you lived in, or the state your business was in, when that return was filed.” On delivery, “Effective July 2019, the IRS will mail tax transcript requests only to your address of record.”
Names, numbers and entity requests
Line 1b takes an identifying number: “Enter your employer identification number (EIN) if your request relates to a business return.” “Otherwise, enter the first social security number (SSN) or your individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) shown on the return.”
Line 5 is optional: “The customer file number is an optional field and not required.” When used, “The customer file number should not contain an SSN.”
For requests by an entity rather than an individual, “For entities other than individuals, you must attach the authorization document.” For an individual, “Sign Form 4506-T exactly as your name appeared on the original return.”
The online alternative
The form’s tip points to an online route: “Get faster service: Online at www.irs.gov, Get Your Tax Record (Get Transcript) or by calling 1-800-908-9946 for specialized assistance.” The instructions repeat it: “You can quickly request transcripts by using our automated self-help service tools.”
For the IRS pointer page on the form, see the IRS page about Form 4506-T.
Which revision applies
The edition read for this page is Form 4506-T (April 2025), which carries its own instructions and is the revision irs.gov served when it was read on 2026-10-17. Check the revision printed on the form you are sending, because a later revision can change the transcript types, the processing statements and the mailing addresses.
Common mistakes
- Using Form 4506-T to get a copy of a return. The form says “Use Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, to request copies of tax returns.”
- Signing before the form is complete. The form says “Do not sign this form unless all applicable lines have been completed.”
- Letting the signed form sit. The instructions say “The IRS must receive Form 4506-T within 120 days of the date signed by the taxpayer or it will be rejected.”
Related: Form 2848, Form 8821, Form 1040, Form 1040-ES, Form 8606, Form 56, and SSA-1099 decoded.
Sources
- Form 4506-T (April 2025), Request for Transcript of Tax Return: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf
Read from the IRS documents linked above on October 17, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer, the account provider or the IRS is the right place to confirm anything consequential.