Do you need to piece together your work history for a job application, a loan, or perhaps just for your own records? It can be a challenge if you don't have all your old W-2s or employer records handy. But here's a secret: the IRS has a record of your income and employers!
Yes, that's right. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) receives information from your employers (and other payers) about your wages and income each year. This information is compiled into a document called a Wage and Income Transcript, and it's a fantastic resource for reconstructing your employment history.
So, are you ready to unlock this valuable information? Let's get started!
How to Get Your Work History from the IRS: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting your Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS is a straightforward process, and best of all, it's absolutely free! There are a few different ways to obtain this transcript, and we'll walk you through each one.
Step 1: Determine Which Method is Best for You
Before diving in, consider which method for requesting your transcript will work best for your situation. The IRS offers three primary ways to get your Wage and Income Transcript:
- Online (Instant Access): This is the fastest and most convenient option if you can successfully verify your identity. You'll be able to view, print, or download your transcript immediately.
- By Mail (5-10 Business Days): If you prefer a paper copy or can't verify your identity online, you can request a transcript to be mailed to your address of record with the IRS.
- By Phone (5-10 Business Days): Similar to ordering by mail, you can call the IRS to request a transcript, which will then be mailed to you.
Think about your comfort level with online identity verification and how quickly you need the information. If you need it right away, the online method is your best bet. If you have some time and prefer not to deal with online accounts, mail or phone are good alternatives.
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Step 2: Gather Necessary Information
Regardless of the method you choose, you'll need to have certain personal information ready to verify your identity. This is crucial for the IRS to release your sensitive tax data.
Here's what you'll typically need:
- Full Name: Your complete legal name as it appears on your tax returns.
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN): This is your primary identifier with the IRS.
- Date of Birth: Your birthdate.
- Current Mailing Address: The address you used on your most recently filed tax return. If you've moved since then, you might need to update your address with the IRS first (using Form 8822, Change of Address) to ensure the transcript is mailed to the correct location.
- Filing Status: Your filing status from your most recent tax return (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household).
For online access, you'll also need:
- A Valid Email Address: For confirmation and communication.
- A Text-Enabled Mobile Phone: This is for a multi-factor authentication code to verify your identity. Pay-as-you-go plans may not be accepted.
- Specific Financial Account Numbers: To further verify your identity, you'll need a number from ONE of the following financial accounts associated with your name:
- Credit card number
- Mortgage or home equity loan
- Home equity line of credit
- Auto loan
Step 3: Requesting Your Wage and Income Transcript
Now, let's walk through the specifics of each request method.
Sub-heading 3.1: Online Request (Recommended for Speed)
This is the quickest way to get your transcript.
QuickTip: Pause at transitions — they signal new ideas.
- Visit the IRS Website: Go to the official IRS website: www.irs.gov.
- Navigate to "Get Your Tax Record": On the homepage, look for a section or link that says "Get Your Tax Record" or "Get Transcript." Click on it.
- Choose "Get Transcript Online": You'll see options for getting transcripts online or by mail. Select "Get Transcript Online."
- Sign In or Create an Account:
- Returning Users: If you already have an IRS online account (e.g., from checking your refund status), simply log in with your existing credentials.
- New Users: If this is your first time, you'll need to Sign-Up to create an account. This involves a rigorous identity verification process through a third-party provider like ID.me. Be prepared to provide the personal and financial information listed in Step 2. You'll likely receive a confirmation code via email and an authentication code via text message during this process. It's crucial to follow all prompts carefully to successfully verify your identity.
- Access Your Transcripts: Once logged in, navigate to the "Tax Records" page or section.
- Select "Wage & Income Transcript": From the list of available transcript types, choose "Wage & Income Transcript."
- Choose the Tax Year(s): Select the specific tax year(s) for which you need your work history. Wage and Income Transcripts for the current tax year may not be complete until July of the following year as the IRS processes all information returns.
- View, Print, or Download: Your Wage and Income Transcript will be displayed. You can now view it, print a copy, or save it as a PDF. Always ensure you are on a personal, secure computer if saving sensitive documents.
- Log Out: When you're finished, always log out of your IRS online account and close your browser.
Sub-heading 3.2: Request by Mail
If online access isn't an option or you prefer a physical copy, requesting by mail is simple.
- Visit the IRS Website: Go to www.irs.gov.
- Navigate to "Get Your Tax Record": Click on "Get Your Tax Record."
- Choose "Get Transcript by Mail": Select this option.
- Provide Required Information: You'll be prompted to enter your Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, and the exact mailing address from your latest tax return filed with the IRS.
- Select Transcript Type and Year: Choose "Wage & Income Transcript" and the desired tax year(s).
- Submit Request: Follow the prompts to submit your request.
- Wait for Delivery: The IRS states that mailed transcripts generally arrive within 5 to 10 business days from the time they receive your request.
Sub-heading 3.3: Request by Phone
For those who prefer to speak with someone, the phone option is available.
- Call the IRS: Dial the IRS automated transcript line: 1-800-908-9946.
- Follow Prompts: Listen carefully to the automated prompts and select the options that lead to requesting a tax transcript.
- Provide Information: You will need to provide your SSN, date of birth, and the address from your most recently filed tax return for verification.
- Specify Transcript and Year: Clearly state that you need a "Wage and Income Transcript" and specify the tax year(s).
- Wait for Delivery: Like mailed requests, transcripts requested by phone are sent by mail and typically arrive within 5 to 10 business days.
Sub-heading 3.4: Using Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return)
This method is particularly useful if you need to authorize a third party (like a lender or tax professional) to receive your transcript, or if you encounter issues with the online/phone methods.
- Download Form 4506-T: Go to www.irs.gov/forms-pubs and search for "Form 4506-T." Download and print the form.
- Fill Out the Form Accurately:
- Line 1a-c: Enter your name, SSN, and current address.
- Line 2a-c: If you are requesting a joint return transcript, enter the second taxpayer's information.
- Line 3: Enter your current name, address, city, state, and ZIP code.
- Line 4: If the address on your most recently filed return is different from Line 3, enter the previous address here.
- Line 5 (Optional): You can enter a customer file number (up to 10 digits) which will print on the transcript for easy identification. Do not use your SSN or EIN here.
- Line 6: Check the box for "Wage and Income Transcript."
- Line 7: Enter the tax year(s) for which you need the transcript. You can request transcripts for up to 10 prior years using this form.
- Line 8 (Optional): If you want the transcript sent to a third party, enter their name and address here. Note that the IRS has mostly stopped third-party mailings of transcripts, so it's often better to have it sent to you and then provide it.
- Signature: Sign and date the form. If it's a joint return, either spouse can sign.
- Mail or Fax the Form: The instructions on Form 4506-T will provide the correct mailing address or fax number based on your location. Ensure you send it to the correct IRS processing center.
- Allow Processing Time: Requests via Form 4506-T typically take around 10 business days to process once the IRS receives them.
Step 4: Understanding Your Wage and Income Transcript
Once you receive your Wage and Income Transcript, it's important to know what you're looking at.
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A Wage and Income Transcript shows data from information returns the IRS receives. This primarily includes:
- Forms W-2: These are your Wage and Tax Statements from employers, showing your gross wages, taxes withheld, and other relevant information. Each employer you worked for in a given year will typically have a separate W-2 entry.
- Forms 1099: This category includes various forms for non-employee compensation (1099-MISC, 1099-NEC), interest income (1099-INT), dividend income (1099-DIV), retirement distributions (1099-R), and more. While not directly "work history" in terms of employers, they show sources of income.
- Forms 1098: Mortgage interest statements.
- Form 5498: IRA Contribution Information.
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What it will show for work history:
- The name of each employer who issued you a W-2 for that tax year.
- The total wages you earned from each employer.
- The federal income tax withheld by each employer.
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What it may not show:
- Exact start and end dates of employment for each job. While it lists the employer for a given tax year, it doesn't specify how long you worked there within that year. For precise dates, you might need to contact the employer directly or refer to your own records (offer letters, pay stubs, etc.).
- Your job title or specific responsibilities.
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Privacy Protection: For your security, the IRS partially masks personally identifiable information on transcripts (e.g., the last four digits of your SSN, the first few characters of your name/address). However, all financial data remains fully visible.
Keep in mind that the IRS only has information that was reported to them. If you were paid "under the table" or worked for an employer who failed to report your wages, that information will not appear on your transcript.
Tip: Stop when confused — clarity comes with patience.
Step 5: Using Your Work History Transcript
Now that you have your Wage and Income Transcript, how can you use it?
- Employment Verification: Many employers, lenders, or agencies will accept this transcript as proof of past employment and income. It's a reliable, official document from the IRS.
- Loan Applications: Mortgage lenders, auto lenders, and other financial institutions often require income verification, and this transcript is an excellent resource.
- Financial Aid: For students applying for federal student aid (FAFSA), IRS transcripts are often required to verify income information.
- Building a Resume/CV: If you're trying to recall past employers and approximate dates for your resume, the transcript provides a solid starting point.
- Correcting Social Security Records: You can compare your IRS Wage and Income Transcript with your Social Security earnings record to ensure all your earnings have been properly credited.
- Tax Preparation/Audits: It's a great tool if you've lost your W-2s or need to reconstruct past tax returns, or if you're responding to an IRS notice about discrepancies in your income reporting.
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| How To Get Your Work History From The Irs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to help you further navigate getting your work history from the IRS:
How to get my work history if I don't have an SSN? If you don't have an SSN but have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), you can use your ITIN to request your Wage and Income Transcript through the same methods described above.
How to verify my identity if I can't provide the financial account information online? If you cannot verify your identity online, you will need to request your transcript by mail or phone, or by submitting Form 4506-T. These methods do not require the same level of online financial verification.
How to get my work history if I've moved recently and haven't updated my address with the IRS? You should file Form 8822, Change of Address, with the IRS before requesting your transcript to ensure it's mailed to your current address. Allow 4-6 weeks for the address change to be processed.
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
How to get work history for years before the last 10 years? While Wage and Income Transcripts are generally available for the current year and up to 10 prior years through online/Form 4506-T requests, if you need older records, you may need to submit Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, which can provide actual copies of your filed returns (for a fee) for up to 7 prior years, and sometimes further back for specific needs.
How to get work history for my business or if I'm self-employed? If you're a business owner or self-employed, your income might be reported on different forms (e.g., Form 1099-NEC for nonemployee compensation). The Wage and Income Transcript will still include these 1099 forms. For business tax transcripts (e.g., Form 941 for payroll taxes), you can typically access these through an IRS Business Tax Account online or by filing Form 4506-T.
How to tell the difference between different types of IRS transcripts? The Wage and Income Transcript specifically shows data from W-2s, 1099s, and other information returns. A Tax Return Transcript summarizes your filed Form 1040 (or other tax return form). A Tax Account Transcript shows basic return data, payments, and adjustments. A Record of Account Transcript combines the Tax Return and Tax Account Transcripts.
How to know when my current year's Wage and Income Transcript will be available? Current tax year Wage and Income Transcripts are generally not complete until July of the following year, as the IRS needs time to process all information returns submitted by employers and other payers.
How to get help if I encounter issues requesting my transcript? If you encounter problems, first review the IRS FAQs on transcript services. If issues persist, you can try calling the IRS Taxpayer Assistance line (1-800-829-1040) during business hours, though wait times can be long.
How to use the Customer File Number option on Form 4506-T? The Customer File Number (Line 5 on Form 4506-T) is an optional field where you can enter a number (e.g., a loan number from a lender) that will print on the transcript. This helps you or a third party easily associate the transcript with a specific request or file. It is not a substitute for your SSN/ITIN.
How to ensure my personal information is protected when requesting transcripts? Always use the official IRS website (irs.gov) for online requests. Be cautious of phishing scams that mimic IRS communications. When requesting by mail or phone, ensure you are providing information only to verified IRS channels. The IRS masks sensitive data on transcripts to enhance your privacy.
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