Understanding "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" on IRS transcript - what does this mean?

Those entries you're seeing on your tax transcript don't actually indicate retirement accounts. The "TP" stands for "Taxpayer" and "IMF" stands for "Individual Master File" - these are just how the IRS labels and tracks your tax information in their system. The "Reduced by IRAF per Computer" notation refers to an Internal Revenue Automated Function calculation that's applied to your tax figures during processing. These numbers represent your total tax liability for those years after certain automated adjustments have been made by the IRS computer system. To actually check if your ex had retirement accounts, you'd need to look at different documents. For 401(k) plans, they would appear on W-2 forms in Box 12 with codes like D, E, F, G, or H. For IRAs, you'd want to look for Form 5498 which reports IRA contributions. You might also check past tax returns for deductions related to retirement contributions on Schedule 1.

After seeing so many people confused about IRS transcript codes, I started using this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me decode all the cryptic stuff on my tax transcripts. I uploaded my transcripts there and it translated all those weird codes and terms like "TP Tax Figures" and "IRAF" into plain English. The explanations were super detailed and I finally understood what was happening with my tax account. In your case, it would probably tell you exactly what those figures represent and if they're related to retirement accounts or just regular tax calculations.

I was just like you last month - totally confused about some weird IRS transcript codes I found. I was skeptical about using taxr.ai when someone recommended it, but I was desperate to understand what was happening with an audit notice I received. I decided to try it and was actually shocked at how helpful it was. The explanation it gave me for "IMF Total Tax (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" was crystal clear - turns out it was just showing my regular tax liability after automatic adjustments, not some hidden account or penalty like I feared. The service even highlighted specific areas I should pay attention to based on my situation. Saved me from having to pay a tax professional just to translate IRS-speak into English! Definitely worth checking out if you're trying to decode those transcript entries.

If you're trying to get answers directly from the IRS about these transcript codes or checking if there were retirement accounts, good luck getting through to anyone! I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at the IRS about mysterious entries on my transcript after my divorce. Finally found this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real IRS agent in less than an hour. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent was able to explain exactly what those "TP Tax Figures" codes meant and confirmed they weren't related to retirement accounts at all. They also helped me request the right documents to see if my ex had been contributing to retirement accounts I didn't know about. Saved me so much frustration after weeks of getting nowhere with the regular IRS phone line.

I need to eat my words here. After dismissing the Claimyr service as probably a scam, I was still desperate enough to try it because I'd been attempting to reach the IRS for almost two months about a similar transcript issue. I was absolutely shocked when they called me back in about 45 minutes with an actual IRS representative on the line. The agent was able to explain that those "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" entries were just part of their internal accounting system and not related to retirement accounts at all. She also helped me request wage and income transcripts that would show any Form 5498s (which report IRA contributions) that might have been filed under my ex's SSN during our marriage. Incredibly helpful information I couldn't get anywhere else because I could never get through on my own.

From my experience during my own divorce, those transcript entries don't indicate retirement accounts. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Request Form 5498s from the IRS for the years you were married - these forms report IRA contributions 2. Look at old W-2s, Box 12 shows 401k contributions with codes D, E, F, G, or H 3. Check Schedule 1 of your joint tax returns for IRA deduction claims 4. If your divorce involved financial discovery, review what retirement accounts were disclosed 5. Consider filing Form 4506-T to request wage and income transcripts which would show retirement plan contributions My ex also claimed we had "no retirement savings" but the W-2s told a different story - he had been contributing significantly to his 401k for years.

I work at a financial aid office and just wanted to add - if you're looking into financial aid for your kids' college, definitely file the FAFSA as early as possible this year since they've changed the system. Also, if you're divorced, only one parent's information goes on the FAFSA (the one who provides most support or who the student lives with most). Those transcript entries you mentioned are definitely NOT retirement accounts - just internal IRS accounting codes. But as others have said, retirement accounts should have been disclosed during your divorce proceedings. If they weren't, that could potentially be a legal issue.

One more thing nobody's mentioned - if your divorce was finalized last year and those transcript amounts are from joint returns, keep in mind you might have innocent spouse relief options if there are issues with those returns. The "TP Tax Figures" entries themselves are just IRS accounting codes, but if you think there might have been financial hiding during marriage, consider consulting with a tax attorney. Especially with those consistent $23k-$32k figures you mentioned, it might be worth having a professional review your past joint returns to ensure everything was reported properly. Your ex might not have been hiding retirement accounts specifically, but could have been hiding other income or assets.

I went through something very similar after my divorce two years ago. Those "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" entries had me convinced my ex was hiding retirement accounts too, but it turns out they're just how the IRS processes and tracks your regular tax liability in their computer system. What really helped me was getting copies of ALL the tax documents that were filed during our marriage - not just the returns we signed, but also the supporting forms. You can request these through Form 4506 (for actual returns) or Form 4506-T (for transcripts and supporting documents). The key thing to look for regarding retirement accounts would be: - Form 5498 (IRA contributions) - Box 12 on W-2 forms with codes D, E, F, G, or H (401k contributions) - Schedule 1 deductions for traditional IRA contributions If your ex was contributing to retirement accounts and didn't disclose them during divorce proceedings, that's a much bigger issue than mysterious transcript codes. I'd recommend starting with requesting those wage and income transcripts for all the years you were married - they'll show you exactly what financial documents were filed with the IRS.

I'm going through a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea those transcript codes were just internal IRS processing numbers - I was convinced they meant something more significant too. One thing I'd add is that if you're concerned about undisclosed retirement accounts, you might also want to check if your ex received any 1099-R forms during your marriage. These forms report distributions from retirement accounts, pensions, or annuities. They would show up on wage and income transcripts and could indicate retirement accounts that existed even if no contributions were being made during the years you're checking. Also, don't forget about employer stock purchase plans or HSAs - these sometimes get overlooked during divorce proceedings but can represent significant assets. They would typically show up on W-2 forms with specific codes or as separate 1099 forms. The systematic document request approach mentioned by others here is really the way to go. It's much more reliable than trying to interpret those cryptic transcript codes!

Just want to echo what everyone else has said - those "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" entries are definitely not retirement accounts. I was in a similar panic mode about mysterious IRS codes after my separation and spent way too much time down that rabbit hole. The real detective work is in those Form 4506-T requests everyone's mentioning. When I finally got my wage and income transcripts, it was like having a complete financial history laid out clearly. You'll see every W-2, 1099, and Form 5498 that was filed under both SSNs during your marriage years. One thing that might save you some time - if your ex was employed by a larger company, their HR department might be able to provide you with summary plan descriptions or even account statements for any 401(k) plans if you were listed as a beneficiary during the marriage. Some people don't realize that spouses typically have legal rights to information about retirement plans even after divorce if the accounts existed during the marriage period. Also, check your state's unclaimed property database. Sometimes old 401(k)s from previous employers end up there if someone changed jobs and forgot to roll over the account. It's a long shot, but I've seen it happen. The systematic approach everyone's outlined here is really the way to go rather than trying to decode IRS transcript mysteries!

I'm a tax preparer and I see this confusion about transcript codes all the time. Just to clarify what others have said - those "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" entries are absolutely NOT retirement accounts. They're internal IRS processing codes that show how your tax liability was calculated in their computer system. The "TP" stands for Taxpayer, "IMF" is Individual Master File, and "IRAF" refers to Internal Revenue Automated Function adjustments. These are just different ways the IRS tracks and processes your regular income tax calculations. For finding hidden retirement accounts, I'd recommend this order of investigation: 1. Start with Form 4506-T to get wage and income transcripts for all marriage years 2. Look specifically for Form 5498s (IRA contributions) and W-2 Box 12 codes D, E, F, G, H (401k contributions) 3. Check if any Schedule 1 deductions were claimed for traditional IRA contributions 4. Contact former employers' HR departments about 401k plans from jobs during your marriage If you find retirement accounts that weren't disclosed during divorce proceedings, that's potentially a serious legal issue. But those transcript entries you're seeing are just normal tax processing - not hidden accounts. Good luck with your investigation, and don't let those IRS codes send you down the wrong path!

I'm going through something very similar right now and this entire thread has been a lifesaver! I've been staring at my tax transcripts for weeks trying to figure out what those "IRAF per Computer" entries meant, and I was convinced they were some kind of hidden account too. What really strikes me is how many of us end up in this same confused state after divorce - trying to decode financial documents that our ex-spouses handled. It's honestly overwhelming when you're suddenly responsible for understanding all this tax terminology on your own. I'm definitely going to follow the systematic approach everyone's outlined here. The Form 4506-T request sounds like the logical starting point, and I love the suggestion about checking with HR departments from previous employers. I never would have thought about my rights to information about retirement plans that existed during the marriage. For anyone else reading this who's in a similar situation - it sounds like the key is not to get distracted by those mysterious transcript codes (which are apparently just normal IRS processing) and instead focus on requesting the actual supporting documents that would show retirement contributions or other accounts. Much more productive use of our detective energy! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise. It's really helpful to know we're not alone in this post-divorce financial confusion!

I'm a financial advisor and I see clients dealing with this exact confusion all the time, especially after divorce. Those "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" entries are definitely just internal IRS processing codes - not retirement accounts or hidden assets. What I always tell clients in your situation is to think of your tax transcript like looking at a bank's internal ledger. All those codes and abbreviations are just how their computer system tracks your regular tax calculations. The amounts you're seeing ($23,000-$32,000) are likely your total tax liability for those years after various automated adjustments. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the Form 4506-T approach. I'd also suggest keeping a simple spreadsheet as you go through this process - list each year, what forms you find (W-2s, 1099s, 5498s), and any retirement-related codes or deductions. This will help you see patterns and ensure you don't miss anything. One additional tip: if you do find evidence of undisclosed retirement accounts, document everything carefully before contacting your divorce attorney. Having a clear timeline and paper trail will be crucial if you need to pursue legal action for non-disclosure of marital assets. Don't let those mysterious transcript codes derail your investigation - focus on the actual tax documents that would show real retirement contributions. You've got a solid plan now!

As someone who went through a messy divorce a few years ago, I can totally relate to that feeling of suddenly being responsible for understanding all these financial documents that seemed like gibberish before. Those IRS transcript codes had me convinced there were hidden accounts too! What everyone here has shared is spot-on - those "TP Tax Figures" entries are just how the IRS computer system processes your regular tax liability, not secret retirement accounts. I spent weeks obsessing over similar codes before finally getting clarity. The systematic approach with Form 4506-T that others have outlined is exactly what worked for me. I found it helpful to start a simple notebook where I wrote down each step and what I found - it kept me from going in circles and helped me stay focused on the actual documents rather than trying to decode every mysterious abbreviation. One thing I'd add: don't be afraid to ask for help from professionals if you find something that doesn't look right. I was so worried about the cost that I almost missed some important discrepancies in our old tax returns. Sometimes that professional consultation fee is worth it for peace of mind, especially when dealing with potential marital asset disclosure issues. You've gotten such great advice in this thread - you're definitely on the right track now!

I'm a newly divorced parent going through almost the exact same situation! Those "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" entries had me convinced my ex was hiding retirement accounts too. Reading through this thread has been such a relief - I had no idea these were just normal IRS processing codes. What really helped me was creating a timeline of our marriage years and then systematically requesting documents for each period. I started with the Form 4506-T for wage and income transcripts like everyone suggested, and it was eye-opening to see all the actual forms that were filed with the IRS during our marriage. I found it helpful to focus on one tax year at a time rather than trying to analyze everything at once. For each year, I looked specifically for: - Any Form 5498s showing IRA contributions - W-2 Box 12 codes that would indicate 401(k) contributions - Schedule 1 deductions for traditional IRA contributions The process took a few weeks, but it was actually reassuring to methodically work through each year and confirm what was (or wasn't) there. In my case, I didn't find any undisclosed retirement accounts, but at least now I have peace of mind and a complete picture of our financial situation during the marriage. Thank you to everyone who shared their expertise and experiences in this thread - the systematic approach you've all outlined made what seemed like an impossible task actually manageable!

I'm a recently divorced single mom dealing with similar transcript confusion! Those "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" entries had me worried for weeks that my ex had hidden retirement accounts. Reading through everyone's explanations here has been such a huge relief - I had no idea these were just standard IRS processing codes. What's been most helpful from this thread is the clear action plan everyone has outlined. I just submitted my Form 4506-T request yesterday to get wage and income transcripts for all our marriage years, and I'm feeling much more confident about having actual documents to review rather than trying to interpret those cryptic transcript codes. The systematic approach of looking for specific forms (5498s for IRAs, W-2 Box 12 codes for 401k contributions, Schedule 1 deductions) gives me something concrete to focus on instead of feeling overwhelmed by all the financial detective work that comes with divorce. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and professional expertise - it's incredibly reassuring to know that so many others have navigated this same confusion successfully. Having this community support makes tackling post-divorce financial questions feel much less daunting!

I'm going through a very similar situation after my divorce last year, and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! Like so many others here, I was completely confused by those "TP Tax Figures (Reduced By IRAF per Computer)" entries on my tax transcripts and was convinced they indicated hidden retirement accounts. It's such a relief to learn from everyone's expertise that these are just normal IRS processing codes, not secret accounts. The systematic approach outlined here - starting with Form 4506-T to get wage and income transcripts, then looking specifically for Form 5498s and W-2 Box 12 retirement codes - gives me a clear path forward instead of spinning my wheels on mysterious transcript entries. What really strikes me is how many newly divorced people end up in this same confused state when we suddenly have to understand financial documents that our ex-spouses always handled. The community support and shared experiences in this thread have been invaluable for turning what felt like an impossible mystery into a manageable investigation process. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - it's comforting to know we're not alone in this post-divorce financial detective work!