Tax transcripts

[angold 0]

Hi,

 

I have been trying to figure out ways to get the federal income tax return or tax transcript, which was requested in the 1-864 form. I have tried to download transcripts using https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript, however I keep getting an error message saying that I am not able to register. I suspect this is because I live abroad and have filed the 1040 tax form overseas for the last 5 years. Then the website directs me to alternative ways of getting transcripts, which I suspect are not applicable given the current COVID-19 situation and the fact that the website explicitly states:

Tax Transcripts are only available online.

We have stopped processing transcript requests by mail until further notice. If you only need to find out how much you owe or verify payments you made within the last 18 months, you can view your tax account.

 

I have also tried ordering via phone by calling the IRS given the phone number provided on the web, however the automated message says they are unable to take phone orders. I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar boat and been successful? Does anyone have any ideas for further course of action. Please help! Thanks in advance!

[Just Paul 4,591]

You must be in the US to get transcripts and even then there are errors in being able to obtain them.   

 

You will need to use tax returns for the I-864 and explain why.

[os306 103]

1 hour ago, angold said:

Hi,

 

I have been trying to figure out ways to get the federal income tax return or tax transcript, which was requested in the 1-864 form. I have tried to download transcripts using https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript, however I keep getting an error message saying that I am not able to register. I suspect this is because I live abroad and have filed the 1040 tax form overseas for the last 5 years. Then the website directs me to alternative ways of getting transcripts, which I suspect are not applicable given the current COVID-19 situation and the fact that the website explicitly states:

Tax Transcripts are only available online.

We have stopped processing transcript requests by mail until further notice. If you only need to find out how much you owe or verify payments you made within the last 18 months, you can view your tax account.

 

I have also tried ordering via phone by calling the IRS given the phone number provided on the web, however the automated message says they are unable to take phone orders. I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar boat and been successful? Does anyone have any ideas for further course of action. Please help! Thanks in advance!

Hi,

 

It seems like there are quite a few people in the same boat (ourselves included). Whether or not a tax return is accepted seems to depend on your local embassy. For example, pre-COVID-19, the US Embassy in London was issuing RFEs to people who submitted tax returns rather than tax transcripts with the I-864. Whether this will now change given the lack of availability of tax transcripts, I'm not sure. Before Covid, people were able to speak to a representative on the IRS helpline and have their transcripts faxed over to an online (virtual) fax number. Hopefully, once some semblance of normality is restored this will be possible again. 

 

[Ryan H 3,796]

***Hijack post removed***

[Stein 265]

It was difficult for me to get transcripts but I was able to do it because I still have accounts in the US.  So, I was able to get an IRS account.  Where it held me up is that after I registered for the account it wanted to text the validation code to my US cell.  I don't have one.  So I had to take the option to have them MAIL me a validation code, have my mother go to pick up my mail after 10 days and send me the code via chat.  I was finally able to authenticate my account and get my transcript, but it wasn't easy.

[os306 103]

48 minutes ago, Stein said:

It was difficult for me to get transcripts but I was able to do it because I still have accounts in the US.  So, I was able to get an IRS account.  Where it held me up is that after I registered for the account it wanted to text the validation code to my US cell.  I don't have one.  So I had to take the option to have them MAIL me a validation code, have my mother go to pick up my mail after 10 days and send me the code via chat.  I was finally able to authenticate my account and get my transcript, but it wasn't easy.

That's great. How long ago did you request this? I ask because I tried a few weeks ago and the IRS website would not let me request a mail out with the validation code (a message appeared stating that they were not doing mail-outs due to COVID-19 and short staffing).

[Stein 265]

2 hours ago, os306 said:

That's great. How long ago did you request this? I ask because I tried a few weeks ago and the IRS website would not let me request a mail out with the validation code (a message appeared stating that they were not doing mail-outs due to COVID-19 and short staffing).

I think I may have been unclear to you.  They won't do a mail out of the transcripts.  They would only mail out the validation code to complete the online signup for the website.  So, you still need that account in the US to start the application process.  But even if you CAN sign up for the website you will still need either a US phone registered to you to receive a text or US address to mail the validation code to.  

 

So, you need a US account number AND either a US phone or US address to receive the code.

 

I just got my transcripts a month ago.

[os306 103]

12 minutes ago, Stein said:

I think I may have been unclear to you.  They won't do a mail out of the transcripts.  They would only mail out the validation code to complete the online signup for the website.  So, you still need that account in the US to start the application process.  But even if you CAN sign up for the website you will still need either a US phone registered to you to receive a text or US address to mail the validation code to.  

 

So, you need a US account number AND either a US phone or US address to receive the code.

 

I just got my transcripts a month ago.

Nope, you weren't unclear at all. I attempted to request a mail out of the validation code (not the tax transcript) as I have a US address as well as a US account number. However, when I tried a few weeks ago the IRS website stated that they were not mailing out validation codes due to COVID, so perhaps this option is unavailable for the time being.

Edited May 17, 2020 by os306

[islanderfever 14]

I also live abroad with my wife, filed taxes from overseas, and have a US address on file. When registering for an IRS account I was able to use a US phone number that is registered to my sister (same last name). I tried registering an account using my parents’ numbers, both of which produced errors, and I got locked out at the same time. 

 

So, if you have family/someone that you trust back in the states, I think this could be an option.

 

The downside to it is that if I login (to get transcripts) it will send a code to my sister’s phone, which she then messages to me. Personally, not much of an inconvenience. 

[Stein 265]

20 hours ago, os306 said:

Nope, you weren't unclear at all. I attempted to request a mail out of the validation code (not the tax transcript) as I have a US address as well as a US account number. However, when I tried a few weeks ago the IRS website stated that they were not mailing out validation codes due to COVID, so perhaps this option is unavailable for the time being.

Ah, I must have been lucky.  I sent my request the end of March and got my validation code via mail on April 10.  Just checked the Facebook Messenger message from my mother who relayed it to me.

[Stein 265]

4 hours ago, islanderfever said:

I also live abroad with my wife, filed taxes from overseas, and have a US address on file. When registering for an IRS account I was able to use a US phone number that is registered to my sister (same last name). I tried registering an account using my parents’ numbers, both of which produced errors, and I got locked out at the same time. 

 

So, if you have family/someone that you trust back in the states, I think this could be an option.

 

The downside to it is that if I login (to get transcripts) it will send a code to my sister’s phone, which she then messages to me. Personally, not much of an inconvenience. 

I was going to try that as a fallback plan as it took almost 15 days to get my written one (they said 5-10 days) but mine finally came through.  I actually have a US cell phone that I change out the SIM card when I come here but since it is a work phone and not personal I didn't know if it would work as it isn't in "my name".

[angold 0]

5 hours ago, islanderfever said:

I also live abroad with my wife, filed taxes from overseas, and have a US address on file. When registering for an IRS account I was able to use a US phone number that is registered to my sister (same last name). I tried registering an account using my parents’ numbers, both of which produced errors, and I got locked out at the same time. 

Thanks so much for the advice! 

 

Unfortunately, it does not appear that the IRS has my US address on file. I suspect this is because it has been about 5 years since I filed from the states. Therefore the online form does not allow me to submit the form with my US address without prompting an error message (e.g. The information you entered does not match out records. Please verify your information an try again).