Need Help Navigating IRS Transcript Website - Service Outage Feb 9, 2025 1-7am ET

I've been trying to get my IRS transcript online at www.irs.gov but I'm completely lost. I'm staring at the "Get your tax records and transcripts" page right now, which shows options for English, Español, Tiêng Viet, and Kreyl ayisyen. The site says "You can access your personal tax records online or by mail, including transcripts of past tax returns." There's even a "More In File" section with a + sign next to it, but I have no idea what to click. I've been searching around and noticed there's a "SEARCH" button at the top, along with "HELP" and "MENU" options, but I'm still stuck on what exactly to do next. Been clicking around but can't figure out where to go. Anyone got a simple walkthrough? Also, I noticed there's going to be a service outage coming up. The site specifically says: "Service outage: February 10, 2025, 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. ET" with an exclamation mark next to it. The message continues with "This service will be down for scheduled maintenance. Thank you for your patience." So heads up to anyone trying to access their records during that time. I just want to see my tax transcripts but this whole process is confusing. Do I need to create an account first? Do I click on one of the language options? I'm currently on the page at 10:22 and also see "5GC" and "744" at the top of the screen if that helps identify where I am in the process. Can someone walk me through this step by step?

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Omar Farouk

The IRS.gov page you're looking at offers several key features for accessing your tax records. The transcript service is available in four languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole), making it accessible to a wider range of taxpayers. The critical next step is the 'Get Transcript Online' button, though it's not visible in your current screenshot. Before proceeding, you'll need to set up an ID.me account, which requires: - A valid email address - Your Social Security Number - A government-issued photo ID or driver's license - A phone for two-factor authentication The upcoming maintenance window on February 9, 2025 (1:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. ET) is important to note if you're planning to access the system during those hours. This is routine maintenance that helps keep the system secure and up-to-date. The page indicates you can access records either online or by mail. While mail is an option, the online method through ID.me verification is much faster, providing instant access to your transcripts once your identity is confirmed. The facial recognition or document upload requirements may seem cumbersome, but they're essential security measures to protect your sensitive tax information.

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