APPLYING FOR

                         Educational 

                         Financial Aid
When applying for financial aid, you may need to provide tax account information from your (and/or your 
parents’) tax return or tax account transcript. A tax return transcript shows many line items contained on ?
the return (1040 series) as it was originally filed, including any accompanying forms and schedules and 
any figures corrected by IRS during processing of the return. A tax account transcript includes any later 
adjustments either you or the IRS made after the tax return was originally filed. In many cases, a tax return 
transcript will meet the requirements of financial aid offices or other lending institutions offering student loans.

Get Transcript on IRS.gov gives you the option to view, save and/or print your transcript. This is the quickest 
way to obtain a tax transcript. Additionally, you can also order tax return and tax account transcripts via 
the dedicated Transcript toll-free line (800-908-9946) and through Get Transcript by Mail on IRS.gov. The 
documents are mailed to the address we have on file for you, should be received within 5-10 calendar days 
and are free of charge.  

Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, can be used to get the tax return and tax account 
transcripts as well as Form W-2 information and verification of non-filing. Form 4506-T also offers a record of 
account transcript that combines the tax return and tax account transcripts. Transcripts will only be mailed to 
your address of record. The IRS does not mail transcripts to a third party. 

FOR A COPY OF TAX RETURN(S)
In some very limited instances, a copy of your (and/or your parents’) Federal Income Tax Return may be needed. 
Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, can be used to request a copy of the tax return. There is a fee for 
each return. Please refer to the form for the amount of the fee. 

Please follow the directions on the form or automated tool for requesting a transcript. The Form 4506 or  
Form 4506-T can be downloaded from www.irs.gov or obtained by calling (800) 829-3676.

Publication 1577 (Rev. 12-2021)  Catalog Number 13370B  Department of the Treasury  Internal Revenue Service  www.irs.gov