IRS Transcript Hub
Your complete guide to understanding, decoding, and using IRS tax transcripts. Learn how to access your transcripts, interpret transaction codes, and track your refund status with clarity and confidence.
What Is a Tax Transcript?
Learn about each transcript type and how they are used by the IRS and taxpayers.
How to Access Transcripts
Follow step-by-step methods to get your transcripts online, by mail, or by phone.
How to Read & Decode
Understand transaction codes, processing dates, and “As Of” information.
Common IRS Codes
Quick reference to the most frequent IRS transaction codes on transcripts.
IRS Processing Cycles
Discover when the IRS updates transcripts and posts new refund data.
ID.me Verification Help
Everything you need to know to securely verify your identity with ID.me.
What Is a Tax Transcript?
A tax transcript is an official record from the IRS that details information about your tax return and account activity. Transcripts can help verify income, resolve IRS issues, or track refund delays.
- Tax Return Transcript: Displays line items from your original tax return.
- Tax Account Transcript: Shows return data, payments, penalties, and account actions.
- Record of Account: Combines both return and account transcript information.
- Wage & Income Transcript: Lists reported income forms such as W-2s and 1099s.
- Verification of Non-Filing: Confirms that no return was filed for a given year.
How to Access Your IRS Transcripts
The fastest way to view your transcripts is online through the IRS “Get Transcript” service. You can also order them by mail or phone.
Online Access (Recommended)
- Visit the official IRS Get Transcript Tool.
- Create or log in using your IRS Online Account and verify through ID.me.
- Select your transcript type (Account, Return, or Wage & Income) and tax year.
By Mail or Phone
- Choose “Get Transcript by Mail” on the IRS website.
- Call 800-908-9946 to order by phone (delivery usually within 5-10 days).
How to Read and Decode Your IRS Transcript
Your IRS Account Transcript lists every transaction that occurs with your tax return. Learning to read these lines can help you spot processing delays, pending actions, or refund approvals.
- Cycle Code: Indicates the IRS processing week and day of posting.
- As Of Date: The date used for calculating interest, penalties, or pending actions.
- Transaction Codes (TC): Three-digit identifiers showing each IRS action or update.
- Code 846: Refund Issued — your refund has been approved on the listed date.
Use our IRS Transaction Code Library to look up and understand every IRS code in plain English.
Common IRS Transaction Codes
Confirms your return was received and is being processed.
Account on hold awaiting IRS review or verification.
Shows federal taxes withheld and credited to your account.
Indicates your refund has been approved and scheduled for release.
Your refund is temporarily held pending review or correction.
Indicates a letter or notice has been sent by the IRS.
View the complete IRS Transaction Code Pocket Guide (PDF) for over 250 official codes.
IRS Processing Cycles and Update Schedule
The IRS updates transcripts based on two main account types:
- Daily Accounts: Update every Tuesday morning.
- Weekly Accounts: Update every Friday morning.
Review our IRS Update Calendar for refund trends, posting cycles from 2013-2026, and the best days to check for transcript updates.
ID.me Verification Help
ID.me is the secure identity verification system used by the IRS for accessing online services such as “Get Transcript.”
- Provide a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID).
- Take a real-time selfie using your smartphone or webcam.
- Once verified, log in to your IRS account to instantly view your transcripts.
If you have trouble verifying, visit the ID.me IRS Help Center for support.
IRS Transcript Frequently Asked Questions
N/A stands for “Not Available.” This means your transcript for the most recent tax year has not yet been posted to your IRS account. Once the IRS begins processing your return, the transcript will replace the N/A with actual data.
Your recent return won’t appear until it’s processed and posted to the IRS Master File. This usually happens within 5–10 days after the IRS accepts your e-filed return, or longer during peak season.
The “As Of” date reflects the date the IRS uses to calculate penalties and interest or to estimate your account balance. It can also indicate when the next update to your account is expected.
The cycle code (for example, 20250705) identifies the year, processing week, and day your return posted to the IRS Master File. For instance, 20250705 = 2025 (year), week 07, day 05 (Friday).
Daily accounts update Tuesday mornings, while weekly accounts update Friday mornings. Your update day depends on your processing batch and when the IRS received your return.
TC 150 means your tax return has been filed and entered into the IRS system. It’s the first major step confirming your return was received for processing.
TC 570 indicates a hold or pending action on your account. It means additional processing or review is required before your refund can continue. It’s often followed by TC 971 (Notice Issued) or TC 571 (Resolved).
TC 846 is the best code you can see — it means “Refund Issued.” The date next to it shows when the IRS approved and scheduled your refund payment.
TC 810 means “Refund Freeze.” Your refund is temporarily on hold. The IRS will usually release it later with TC 811 or explain the reason via a mailed notice (TC 971).
TC 971 indicates the IRS has sent a letter or notice regarding your return. Check your mail and IRS Online Account for details about what action is required.
When you see TC 846 on your account transcript, that’s your refund approval. The date next to it is your refund issue date, usually 1–3 days before funds are released to your bank.
Return Transcript: Summary of the original return as filed.
Account Transcript: Includes all activity, payments, adjustments, and IRS actions after filing.
The Processing Date is an internal IRS estimate for when pending transactions should complete. It’s not the same as a refund issue date but helps indicate activity timing.
TC 976 means a second return was filed for the same year. This can occur accidentally or from identity theft. Contact the IRS if you did not submit a duplicate return.
TC 290 = Additional Tax Assessed. TC 291 = Reduction of a prior assessment (tax abated). Both indicate IRS account adjustments after review or amendment.
TC 420 or 424 indicate your return has been selected for examination or manual review. It doesn’t automatically mean an audit, but the IRS is looking closer at your file.
Look for TC 570 (hold), TC 971 (notice sent), or TC 420/424 (exam indicator). These mean the IRS is reviewing or verifying data on your return.
TC 766 = Credit to your account (from a prior overpayment or adjustment).
TC 768 = Earned Income Credit (EIC) posted to your return.
TC 898 means your refund was used to offset another federal or state debt (e.g., student loan, child support, back taxes). The remaining balance, if any, will be sent to you.
When TC 977 appears on your transcript, your amended return has been received. Once you see TC 846, the refund from your amendment has been issued.
Yes. Any notice or letter is logged as a line item (usually TC 971) before you receive the physical letter. Check your transcript regularly for new codes.
If you see “No record of return filed,” the IRS hasn’t received or processed your return yet. Check your e-file status or resend if it’s been more than 21 days since filing.
Most transcripts are available for the current year and the previous three years. Older records can be requested using Form 4506-T or Form 4506 for full return copies.
Use the Wage & Income Transcript. It lists all reported income documents (W-2, 1099, 1098, etc.) tied to your SSN — perfect for reconstructing lost records or filing prior-year returns.
Visit the Refund Talk Transaction Code Library — the most complete, plain-English index of all 250+ IRS transcript codes.
Decode Your IRS Transcript with Confidence
Use the Refund Talk IRS Transcript Decoder and Code Library to understand your account history, identify refund delays, and stay informed year-round.
Launch Transcript Decoder