Form 4506-T-EZ - 2023

Form 4506-T-EZ: What It Is, How to Fill It Out and When to Use It

What is Form 4506-T-EZ used for?

Form 4506-T-EZ is the Short Form Request for Individual Tax Return Transcript. Individuals use it to ask the IRS for a tax return transcript covering the current year and the prior three years, including most line items from the original Form 1040 as filed.

A transcript is not a full copy of your return. It shows most of the line items you reported but partially masks personally identifiable information to protect you, while leaving financial data fully visible for income verification. If you need an exact photocopy of a filed return, you use Form 4506 instead.

People most often reach for this form in a few specific situations:

• Mortgage and loan applicants: Lenders frequently request a transcript to confirm the income stated on an application.
• Students and financial aid applicants: Schools and aid programs may ask for transcript data to verify household income.

Anyone refinancing or preparing a return: A transcript helps reconcile prior figures when filing or correcting taxes.

What's the difference between Form 4506, 4506-T, and 4506-T-EZ?

These three forms are easy to confuse because they all relate to retrieving past tax information. The key difference is what each one delivers and how much detail it covers.

• Form 4506-T-EZ: Requests only an individual tax return transcript for Form 1040. It is the simplest option and is free.
• Form 4506-T: Requests any transcript type, including wage and income data from Forms W-2, 1098, 1099, and 5498, plus account transcripts. It is also free.
• Form 4506: Provides an actual photocopy of your filed return rather than a transcript. This option carries a fee.

If your tax year begins in one calendar year and ends in the next, you cannot use the EZ version. In that case the IRS directs you to Form 4506-T instead.

How do I fill out Form 4506-T-EZ?

The form is short and fits on a single page, but accuracy matters because the IRS will reject mismatched information. Complete every applicable line before signing, since an incomplete form cannot be processed.

Work through it in this order:

• Line 1a and 1b: Enter the name and Social Security number or ITIN exactly as shown on the return. For a joint return, list the name shown first.
• Line 3: Enter your current address.
• Line 4: Enter the address from your last filed return if it differs from your current one.
• Line 5: Optionally add a Customer File Number of up to 10 digits, which then prints on the transcript.
• Line 6: Enter the year or years you are requesting, using the ending date such as 12/31/2024.
• Signature: Sign and date the form. For a joint return, at least one spouse must sign.

The IRS must receive the form within 120 days of the signature date, so do not sign it too far in advance.

Can Form 4506-T-EZ be filed online?

You can complete and sign the PDF on screen, but the EZ form itself is submitted to the IRS by mail or fax rather than through an online portal. The address depends on the state where you lived when the return was filed, so check the chart in the form instructions before sending.

If your goal is simply to view or download a transcript quickly, the IRS offers a faster route. Registering for the Get Transcript service at IRS.gov lets you access tax return, account, wage and income, and other transcript types without mailing a form at all.

How long does Form 4506-T-EZ take to process?

A mailed or faxed request generally takes time to turn around, since the transcript is delivered by mail. The IRS processes most transcript requests in about 10 business days, and delivery can add further time depending on postal service.

If you need the information sooner, the online Get Transcript tool is the quickest option. It allows eligible taxpayers to view and download a tax return transcript immediately rather than waiting for a mailed copy.

Need to file Form 4506-T-EZ?

Form 4506-T-EZ is simple to complete when you know which sections apply to your request. Our fillable template allows you to enter your information directly on screen, review your details for accuracy, and generate a professional copy ready to sign and submit to the IRS. Get started today at no cost.