Why is Only 2021 Return Transcript Available While 2019-2022 Wage Transcripts Appear in My IRS Account Portal?

I'm looking at my IRS transcript availability online and I'm confused about what I'm seeing. When I check the available transcripts, most years show "N/A" but I see a Return Transcript is only available for 2021, and Wage & Income transcripts are available for 2019-2022. The system shows me different types of transcripts: Return Transcript, Account Transcript, Record of Account Transcript, and Wage & Income Transcript. I selected "Federal Tax" as my reason for needing a transcript, and the system suggested I download a "Record of Account Transcript." However, when I look at the breakdown of available transcripts, I see: - Return Transcript: Only available for 2021, shows "N/A" for 2019-2020 - Account Transcript: All years (2019-2022) show "N/A" - Record of Account Transcript: All show "N/A" - Wage & Income Transcript: Available for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 The IRS website explains that Return transcripts "show most line items from your Form 1040-series tax return as it was originally filed, including any accompanying forms and schedules. In many cases, a return transcript will meet the requirements of lending institutions offering mortgages and student loans." For Account Transcripts, it says they "show changes you or the IRS made after you filed your original return, such as making estimated tax payments or filing an amended return." The Record of Account Transcript is described as combining "the information from return and account transcripts." For Wage & Income Transcripts, it explains they "show data from information returns, such as W-2s, 1098s, and 1099s reported to the IRS. Most recent year information may not be complete until July." There's also a note about Verification of Non-filing Letters, which "state that IRS does not have a record of a processed tax return as of the date of the letter." It mentions "If there is an error when trying to view your letter, you'll need to request the letter by submitting Form 4506-T." I also see an asterisk note that says "* Indicates the availability of a Verification of Non-Filing letter for the year." What does this pattern of availability mean for my tax situation? Should I be worried that so many transcripts show N/A? I'm especially concerned since the Account transcripts, which should show changes made after filing, are all showing as N/A. Does this mean the IRS hasn't processed my returns for those years? Or am I misunderstanding what these N/A indicators mean?

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Megan D'Acosta

The IRS transcript availability shown in your screenshot follows a typical pattern. Your Return Transcript is only accessible for 2021, while Wage & Income Transcripts are available for a longer period (2019-2022). This is completely normal - here's why: The Wage & Income Transcripts (showing your W-2s, 1098s, and 1099s) are available for a longer period because these are direct information returns from employers and financial institutions to the IRS. The system notes these may not be complete for the most recent year until July. The Return Transcript availability for just 2021 is also standard - the IRS typically only maintains readily available Return Transcripts for the most recent few tax years. The "N/A" status for other years doesn't indicate any problems; it simply means those transcript types aren't currently available electronically for those periods. Account Transcripts showing as "N/A" across all years suggests you haven't had any post-filing adjustments or amendments that would necessitate these records. This is actually a good sign - it typically means your original returns were processed without requiring changes. Looking at the system's glossary definitions, all these transcript types serve different purposes: - Return Transcripts (showing your filed 1040 information) are often used for mortgage and student loan applications - Account Transcripts track any post-filing changes - Wage & Income Transcripts provide third-party reported income verification This pattern of availability aligns with normal IRS transcript maintenance and doesn't indicate any concerns with your tax situation.

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