Form 4506-T
Request for Transcript of Tax Return
Request a free transcript — a line-by-line summary — of a past tax return directly from the IRS. Commonly required by mortgage lenders and loan servicers to verify income.
Editing happens entirely in your browser — the form is never uploaded to a server.
What is Form 4506-T?
Form 4506-T asks the IRS to send a transcript of a previously filed tax return, rather than a full photocopy. A transcript shows most line items from the return (or, for a Wage & Income transcript, the W-2/1099 data the IRS has on file) and is accepted by most lenders as proof of what you actually filed.
It's free, unlike Form 4506 (a full copy of the return), which carries a fee.
Line 6 lets you choose which type of transcript you need — Return Transcript, Account Transcript, Record of Account, or Wage & Income Transcript — and Line 9 specifies which tax year or years.
- Who needs it
- Anyone applying for a mortgage, a small business loan, or income-driven student loan repayment, where the lender needs the IRS to independently confirm what was filed — plus anyone who's lost an old return and just needs the numbers, not a copy of the document itself.
- Deadline
- No deadline — request one whenever a lender asks, or whenever you need the record. The IRS can generally provide transcripts for the current year and the previous three.
- How to submit
- Mail or fax it to the IRS address listed in the form's instructions for your state. In practice, a lender usually collects your signed form and submits it on your behalf through the IRS's Income Verification Express Service (IVES) using Form 4506-C, a similar version built for third-party requests.
Form 4506-T — line-by-line
Line 1a/1b — Name & SSN/EIN
Exactly as shown on the return you're requesting a transcript of.
Line 2a/2b — Spouse
If it was a joint return, the spouse's name and SSN as shown on that return.
Line 3 — Current address
Where the IRS will mail the transcript.
Line 4 — Previous address
Only if different from the address on the last return filed.
Line 6 — Transcript requested
Which type: Return Transcript (most common for lenders), Account Transcript, Record of Account, or Wage & Income Transcript.
Line 9 — Year(s) requested
The specific tax year(s) you need, using the ending date of each tax period.
Signature
Must be the taxpayer or someone legally authorized to request it, and must be signed within 120 days of the IRS receiving the form.
Form 4506-T — frequently asked questions
Is there a fee?+
No, IRS transcripts are free. Only a full photocopy of a return (Form 4506) carries a fee.
Transcript vs. a copy of my return — what's the difference?+
A transcript is a computer printout of the line items from your return, not a photocopy of the actual document. It's usually all a lender needs.
How long does it take?+
Typically 5–10 calendar days from when the IRS receives a mailed request — faster if you get it instantly online instead (see below).
Do I have to mail this, or can I get a transcript faster?+
Individuals can usually get a transcript immediately at IRS.gov under "Get Your Tax Record" instead of mailing this form — the paper form matters most when a lender needs it sent directly to (or through) them.
Related forms
The blank Form 4506-T offered here is the version published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Official page and instructions .
PDFCure is not a government agency and does not provide tax, legal, or immigration advice. This page is general information — for your specific situation, follow the official instructions or consult a qualified professional. Always download the current edition from the agency before filing. Revision referenced: April 2025.