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The Daily Insight

What is the difference between transcript and tax return?

Author

Andrew Ramirez

Published Apr 06, 2026

The tax return is a form filed with the IRS that is used to determine an individual’s tax liability. Forms include the 1040, the 1040A, or the 1040EZ. The tax return transcript is a document tax filers can request from the IRS that includes the information submitted on the tax return.

Are the 2018 tax forms different from 2017?

Types of Forms 1040 The 2018 Form 1040 not only replaced the 2016 tax return, but it replaced the simpler Forms 1040-A, and 1040-EZ as well. They’re no longer available for tax years 2018 and going forward, although you can still use them to file returns for tax years 2017 and earlier.

What is the difference between a tax transcript and a w2?

A 1040 transcript summarizes the key information on your tax returns such as your filing status, income and tax credits. A W-2 transcript provides wage, retirement contribution and tax withholding information from the W-2 submitted to the IRS by your employer.

What does a transcript look like for taxes?

Tax Account Transcript – shows basic data such as return type, marital status, adjusted gross income, taxable income and all payment types. It also shows changes made after you filed your original return.

What exactly is a tax transcript?

A tax transcript is a quick summary of your important tax information from your federal tax return. You can include your Customer File Number on your tax transcript application so that when it’s printed out, it shows up on the form and your lender/financial aid officer can match it up appropriately with your file.

How to compare 2017 tax transcript to 2017 tax return?

Tax Transcript Decoder© Comparison of 2017 Tax Return and Tax Transcript Data FAFSA instructions direct applicants to obtain information from certain lines on IRS income tax returns, which differ based on whether the tax filer completed a Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ.

When do I get my 2017 IRS transcript?

This information is for tax filers who are unable to transfer tax data using the IRS Data Retrieval link in the FAFSA. In most cases, for electronic tax filers a 2017 IRS Federal Tax Return Transcript may be requested from the IRS within three weeks after the 2017 IRS income tax return has been accepted by the IRS.

What’s the difference between a tax transcript and a tax return?

There are two main kinds of a tax transcript. The first kind, named a tax return transcript, is what most taxpayers ask for from the IRS when they mean tax transcript. The more detailed tax transcript is called the tax account transcript. Updates and changes in the original tax filings.

Is there a tax transcript decoder for 2017?

Tax Transcript Decoder© COMPARISON OF 2017 TAX RETURN AND TAX TRANSCRIPT DATA 2019-20 Award Year (Version 1.0) © 2018 NASFAA. All rights reserved.