How to Get IRS Transcripts Online: Step-by-Step | RESO

Before you begin

Have the following ready before you start on IRS.gov:

Your Social Security number or ITIN
An email address
A phone that can receive verification codes
A government-issued photo ID if identity verification is required
Access to a computer or device where PDF files can be saved
Approximately 10–20 minutes for a first-time account setup

If you already have an ID.me account from another government service, you can usually sign in with the same account. The IRS currently uses ID.me for identity verification on many online services, and users must generally be at least 18 to create an account.

Security

Only sign in through IRS.gov. Do not upload IRS transcripts to unknown websites or send them through unsecured email.

Open the official IRS transcript page

Start on IRS.gov — not a search result or third-party site.

Go to IRS.gov.
Find Get your tax records and transcripts.
Select the option to access records online.
Choose Sign in to your online account or the equivalent current IRS button.

The official IRS page allows taxpayers to access personal tax records online or request certain transcripts by mail.

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Screenshot 1 — IRS “Get your tax records and transcripts” page

Sign in with ID.me or create an account

The IRS uses ID.me for identity verification on many online services. If you already have an ID.me account, you can usually use the same credentials. Users must generally be at least 18 to create an account. Exact verification steps may vary.

Already have an ID.me account

Select Sign in with ID.me.
Enter the email address and password associated with the account.
Complete multifactor authentication.
Continue to the IRS Online Account.

Need to create an ID.me account

Select Create an account.
Enter an email address and confirm it.
Create a password and set up multifactor authentication.
Follow the identity-verification prompts.
Upload or photograph the requested identification when prompted.
Complete any selfie or video-verification step requested by ID.me.
Return to the IRS Online Account after verification.

Troubleshooting sign-in

Make sure the legal name matches your identification. Use a clear, unexpired ID and avoid glare or cropped photos. Check spam folders for confirmation emails. If you cannot access your email or password, use ID.me’s official recovery process.

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Screenshot 2 — IRS/ID.me sign-in screen · Screenshot 3 — ID.me account creation and identity verification

Open Tax Records

After signing in to the IRS Individual Online Account:

Open the Tax Records section.
Find and select the link for transcripts.
Continue to the transcript selection screen.

The IRS currently directs users from the Individual Online Account to the Tax Records page and then to the transcripts link.

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Screenshot 4 — Tax Records section inside the IRS Online Account

Select a reason for requesting the transcript

The IRS may ask why you are requesting a transcript. Select the closest truthful option presented. The reason generally does not change the underlying transcript data available — do not misrepresent why you are requesting records.

Available dropdown options can change; do not assume a specific label will always appear.

Choose the correct transcript types

Registered Individual Online Account users can usually view, print, or download the transcript types listed below. Availability depends on IRS records and transcript type.

Tax Account Transcript

Most important for RESO

Account activity over time — the backbone of most resolution analysis.

Return filing and assessment entries
Payments and credits
Penalty and interest activity
Adjustments
Collection-related transaction codes
Changes to the account over time

Download this for every available year relevant to the case.

Wage and Income Transcript

When income must be reconstructed

Third-party income reported to the IRS.

W-2s
1099s
1098s
K-1 information when available
Other reported income documents

Download this when returns are missing, income must be reconstructed, or a more complete analysis is needed.

Tax Return Transcript

Filed return lines

Most line items from the originally filed return, including forms and schedules reflected in the transcript.

Useful, but not the same as a complete copy of the filed tax return.

Record of Account Transcript

Combined view

Combines information from the Tax Return Transcript and Tax Account Transcript.

Helpful when you want both return and account history in one document.

Verification of Non-Filing Letter

Non-filer proof

Shows that the IRS does not have a processed tax return on file for the requested year as of the date of the request.

Use when you need documentation that a return was not on file for a year.

For RESO Analyze

Start with the Tax Account Transcript for every available relevant year. Add Wage and Income Transcripts and other transcript types when available for a more complete analysis. One transcript type alone is rarely enough for every case.

Transcript type	Best for	RESO Analyze
Tax Account	Balances, payments, penalties, collection codes	Start here — every relevant year
Wage and Income	W-2, 1099, and third-party income	Add when returns are missing or income must be reconstructed
Tax Return	Filed return line items	Supplement when helpful — not a full return copy
Record of Account	Combined return + account view	Optional combined download
Verification of Non-Filing	Proof no return on file for a year	When non-filer status matters to the case

Download each relevant year as a PDF

For each transcript type you need:

Locate the desired transcript type.
Select a tax year.
Open the transcript.
Use the browser’s download function or the IRS-provided download option.
Save the file as a PDF.
Repeat for every relevant year.
Do not print and rescan the files unless no digital option is available.

Suggested filenames

2025-tax-account-transcript.pdf · 2024-tax-account-transcript.pdf · 2023-tax-account-transcript.pdf · 2025-wage-income-transcript.pdf

Gather all years connected to the tax issue — not only the year with the largest current balance. The number of available years depends on transcript type and IRS records.

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Screenshot 5 — Transcript type and tax-year selection · Screenshot 6 — Downloaded transcript PDF

Transcripts downloaded?

Upload your PDFs to RESO Analyze for structured parsing, timeline review, and a professional case report.

Check the files before leaving IRS.gov

Confirm each download before you close your session:

Each PDF opens successfully
The taxpayer name or identifying information is consistent
The correct tax year appears on each file
The transcript type is correct
Pages are not blank or cut off
All intended years were downloaded
Files are stored in one secure folder

Upload the transcripts to RESO Analyze

Once your PDFs are saved, move them into RESO Analyze for structured review.

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Screenshot 7 — RESO Analyze transcript-upload screen · Screenshot 8 — Transcript years recognized by RESO

Open RESO Analyze at reso.tax/analyze.
Start your report — enter the requested taxpayer or case information on the landing form (Get my professional report).
After checkout, open the IRS Documents step in the analysis workflow.
Upload your downloaded PDFs individually, or use Upload IRS transcript ZIP for bulk files. HTML and HTM exports from IRS.gov are also accepted.
Confirm each file is listed under Added and that recognized tax years appear in the file summary.
Continue to Financial Information and Your Situation when prompted.
Review the analysis and professional report when processing completes.

What RESO Analyze does with the transcripts

Based on the files you upload, RESO Analyze works from IRS records — not guesses — to build a structured review. Capabilities include:

Organizes records by taxpayer and tax period
Parses transcript events and transaction codes
Identifies filing and account history
Summarizes balances and assessments
Builds a chronological case timeline
Flags missing or incomplete evidence
Combines transcript evidence with financial information
Evaluates potential resolution paths
Produces a reviewable report

Results depend on transcript completeness and case facts. After upload, continue through Financial Information and Your Situation so the analysis can combine IRS records with household context.

What to do when online access does not work

Identity verification fails

Use official IRS and ID.me help resources. Do not use unofficial workarounds. Verification requirements and available options can change.

The account is locked

Follow the official account-recovery process on IRS.gov or ID.me rather than creating duplicate accounts.

A transcript year is missing

The year may not yet be available, the return may still be processing, or the requested transcript type may have a different availability period. See the IRS transcript availability guidance. IRS transcript types and ordering

A recently filed return does not appear

Processing takes time and availability varies by transcript type. Check again after the IRS has finished processing the return. IRS transcript availability

The taxpayer cannot use the online account

The IRS offers mail and phone alternatives for certain transcript types. Taxpayers may request certain transcripts by mail or through the automated transcript line, with delivery generally taking 5–10 calendar days per IRS guidance.

Business transcripts are needed

Business entities follow a separate IRS transcript process. IRS business transcripts

Frequently asked questions

Are IRS transcripts free?

Yes. The IRS provides transcript access without charging a transcript fee for the standard online, mail, and automated phone options described on IRS.gov.

Is ID.me part of the IRS?

ID.me is a third-party identity-verification provider used for access to certain IRS online services. ID.me is not RESO, and RESO is not affiliated with ID.me.

Which transcripts should I download for RESO?

Start with Tax Account Transcripts for all relevant available years. Wage and Income Transcripts and other records may improve completeness depending on the case.

Can I upload screenshots instead of PDFs?

RESO Analyze accepts PDF, HTML, and HTM transcript files (and ZIP archives of those files). Prefer original downloads from IRS.gov whenever possible — screenshots are not a supported upload format.

Is a transcript the same as a tax return?

No. A transcript is an IRS-generated record containing selected return or account information. It is not necessarily a complete copy of the original return you filed.

Can a spouse access joint-return transcripts?

Each spouse may need their own IRS Online Account, and access can depend on the record and account setup. Refer to official IRS guidance for joint-return access rather than assuming one account covers both spouses.

How long does online access take?

Existing ID.me and IRS Online Account users can often download transcripts soon after signing in. First-time identity verification may take longer.

What should I do after downloading them?

Upload the files to RESO Analyze, confirm recognized years on the IRS Documents step, and complete the financial and situational questions so the analysis can run.

Learn how to read IRS transcripts

Decode transaction codes, CSED signals, and enforcement activity once your PDFs are downloaded.

Open reading guide →

Your transcripts are downloaded. Now turn them into a clear case analysis.

RESO Analyze organizes the transcript history, identifies important account activity, combines it with financial information, and creates a reviewable analysis of the case.