How do I access my IRS transcript? Complete beginner here

You can access your tax transcripts through the IRS website. Go to IRS.gov and look for "Get Transcript Online" or "Get Transcript by Mail" options. For online access, you'll need to create an account with ID.me verification (which requires photo ID, email, phone number, and some security questions). The transcript shows your tax return info, payment history, and processing status. There are actually several different types of transcripts available - account transcript, return transcript, record of account, and wage & income transcript. The account transcript is usually what people check for refund status.

Did you already create an IRS online account? That's the first step before you can access transcripts online. If you're having trouble with the ID verification process, you can also request them by mail but that takes 5-10 business days.

I was completely lost with transcripts too when I first started checking my refund status! The IRS website can be confusing, but I found https://taxr.ai super helpful for understanding my transcript once I got it. You upload your transcript and it explains all those weird codes and gives you a timeline for your refund. Saved me hours of Googling random IRS codes and trying to figure out what was happening with my return.

Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. Go to IRS.gov 2. Click on "Get Your Tax Record" 3. Choose "Get Transcript Online" 4. Create an account or sign in with ID.me 5. Verify your identity (you'll need email, phone, ID, and SSN) 6. Select the transcript type and tax year 7. View or download your transcript The Account Transcript is what most people check for refund status. It shows all activity on your account including refund processing.

When I tried getting my transcript online, the verification system kept rejecting me. After wasting almost 2 hours trying different things, I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an IRS agent who helped me request my transcript by mail. It's a service that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line. Got connected to a real person in about 15 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait time. The agent was able to verify my identity over the phone and get my transcript request processed.