Bureau-Face Request Templates

This is the practical companion to Reading Your Own IRS Account. That page is the six-step reading guide; this one is the request layer underneath it — it implements Step 5 (verify the entity attributes via a Privacy Act request) and Mechanism #1 of the Exit 6 / bureau-face essay: a full accounting of the account, requested through the system’s own documented procedures.

What the account is — a bilateral, double-entry ledger documented in the government’s own operational reference — is established in the System Describes Itself essay and the interactive Tax System Architecture map. What follows is narrower and entirely procedural: how to request the records the system already maintains, using only instruments the law already provides.

Nothing here is a filing strategy. The accepted-for-value, redemption, and “discharge through the credit side” filings are foreclosed and land in the documented Frivolous Return Program freeze — see the FOIA-strawman finding. This page is about reading the account in the system’s own vocabulary, not manipulating it.

IMPORTANT NOTE

These templates are provided as academic reference materials for the Adverse Review project. They are not legal advice. They are not tax advice. Every individual’s situation is different. Anyone considering making these requests should verify current addresses, fees, and procedures directly with the relevant agency’s website before submitting.

The templates use the system’s own vocabulary — not because that vocabulary is magic, but because it is precise. The system processes requests more efficiently when the requester uses the system’s own terms for the records being requested.

Overview: three levels of engagement

Together, Levels 2 and 3 produce both halves of the bilateral ledger:

• The Numident is the customer master file (who the system says you are)
• The IMF is the transaction ledger (what the system has posted to your account)
• Both linked by the account number (SSN)

Level 1: IRS Account Transcript (free, immediate)

Option A — Online (fastest)

1. Go to irs.gov
2. Navigate to “Get Transcript” (under “Filing” or search “Get Transcript”)
3. Create or log into ID.me account
4. Select “Get Transcript Online”
5. Choose transcript type: “Account Transcript” (shows transaction codes, credits, debits, and balances)
6. Select tax year

The Account Transcript shows the same transaction codes documented in the Tier 1 analysis: TC 150 (return filed), TC 806 (withholding credit), TC 766 (refundable credits), TC 846 (refund issued), TC 570 (credit hold), etc. Use Document 6209, Section 8A to decode.

Also request “Record of Account” — this combines the Return Transcript and Account Transcript into a single document showing both what was filed and what was posted.

Option B — By mail (Form 4506-T)

File Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) with the IRS. Check the box for “Account Transcript” (Line 6a). The form is available at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf.

Mail to the address specified in the Form 4506-T instructions for your state.

What to look for on the transcript

Level 2: IRS FOIA / Privacy Act request (complete IMF record)

Why this exists

The IRS automatically considers first-party requests for personal records under both FOIA (5 U.S.C. § 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a), and applies whichever statute provides greater access. For first-party requests (requesting your own records), the Privacy Act provides the broader right.

A transcript is a summary the system chooses to show you. The complete IMF record includes all transaction codes, entity module attributes, freeze codes, collection status history, and source document references — the full bureau-face data.

On the 20-day deadline: 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i) requires the agency to determine within 20 business days whether to comply — it is a determination deadline, not a guarantee that records are produced within 20 days. It is still a defined, enforceable obligation that an informal request does not trigger.

Where to send

Internal Revenue Service Privacy, Governmental Liaison and Disclosure Stop 93A P.O. Box 621506 Atlanta, GA 30362

Status inquiries: IRS FOIA Public Liaison, 312-292-2929

Online portal: IRS FOIA and Privacy Act Public Access Portal (search irs.gov for “FOIA request”)

(Confirm the current address, portal, and liaison line on irs.gov before submitting — agency contact points change.)

Template language

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP] [Date]

Internal Revenue Service Privacy, Governmental Liaison and Disclosure Stop 93A P.O. Box 621506 Atlanta, GA 30362

Re: Privacy Act Request / Freedom of Information Act Request Account Number (SSN): XXX-XX-XXXX

Dear FOIA/Privacy Act Officer:

Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, and the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I request access to the following records pertaining to my Individual Master File account:

1. Complete Individual Master File (IMF) Transcript

All transaction codes, amounts, dates, and document locator numbers posted to my Individual Master File account (CADE/IMF) for the following tax periods: [specify years, e.g., “Tax years 2018 through 2025, all MFTs”].

2. Entity Module Data

All entity module attributes for my account, including but not limited to: Filing Requirement Codes (FR codes), restrictive condition indicators, backup withholding indicator, fiduciary relationship indicators, and any special indicator codes maintained on my entity record.

3. Freeze Code History

All current and historical freeze codes active on any tax module within my account, including the transaction codes that set and released each freeze condition.

4. Collection Status History

The current and historical collection status codes for all tax modules within my account.

5. Source Documents

Copies of any Forms W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement), Forms 1099, and Forms 1042-S maintained in my Information Returns Processing (IRP) file for the tax periods specified above.

I am the individual to whom these records pertain. I am making this request under the Privacy Act for first-party access to my own records. Please process this request under whichever statute — FOIA or Privacy Act — provides the greater access, as is your standard practice per IRM 11.3.13.

I understand that IRS disclosure of tax return information to the taxpayer to whom it pertains is authorized under 26 U.S.C. § 6103(e)(1).

For identity verification purposes, I have attached [choose applicable]:

• A copy of my government-issued photo identification, and
• [If applicable: IRS Form 15293, Consent for Disclosure of Non-Tax IRS Records Protected under the Privacy Act]

If any portion of the requested records is withheld under a FOIA exemption, I request that you provide a Vaughn index identifying the withheld material and the specific exemption(s) claimed, and that you release all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions as required by 5 U.S.C. § 552(b).

I request a fee waiver as this is a first-party Privacy Act request. If fees are applicable, please contact me before processing any charges exceeding $25.00.

Thank you for your attention to this request. I look forward to your response within the 20-business-day statutory period.

Sincerely,

[Signature] [Printed Name] [SSN — last four digits only in the body; full SSN on identity verification attachment] [Daytime telephone number]

What to expect

The IRS will return the IMF data as a printout of transaction codes, dates, and amounts — similar to what employees see on IDRS Command Code TXMOD or IMFOL. Use Document 6209, Section 8A (publicly available at irs.gov/pub/irs-6209/) to decode each transaction code.

The entity module data (Item 2) may require additional processing. If the IRS returns only the transaction-level data (Items 1, 3, 4), follow up specifically on the entity module attributes, citing the Privacy Act’s requirement to provide access to all records maintained about the individual.

Level 3: SSA Numident / SS-5 request (account-opening record)

Why this exists

The Numident is the SSA’s record of the account-opening event — the original Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card) and all subsequent applications for replacement cards. It is the customer master file for the SSN account, maintained under SORN 60-0058 (“Master Files of SSN Holders and SSN Applications”).

The Numident contains: SSN, full name (and all prior names), full name at birth, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, race/ethnicity, sex, mother’s maiden name, father’s name, date record was established or corrected, control number, and date of death if applicable.

Two versions exist: the External/Public Query (standard release) and the Internal Query (contains additional elements including special indicator codes and FICA waiver information — released on a case-by-case basis through SSA’s Office of Privacy and Disclosure).

Where to send

Social Security Administration OEIO, FOIA Workgroup 6100 Wabash Avenue P.O. Box 33022 Baltimore, MD 21290-3022

(Confirm the current address and fees on ssa.gov before submitting.)

Fees

Payment by check or money order payable to “Social Security Administration,” or by credit card using Form SSA-714.

Template language (self-request)

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP] [Date]

Social Security Administration OEIO, FOIA Workgroup 6100 Wabash Avenue P.O. Box 33022 Baltimore, MD 21290-3022

Re: Privacy Act Request — Numident Record and Original SS-5 SSN: XXX-XX-XXXX

Dear Privacy Act Officer:

Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, I request copies of the following records pertaining to my Social Security Number account as maintained in SORN 60-0058 (Master Files of SSN Holders and SSN Applications):

1. Numident Record (External/Public Query)

The complete Numident record for SSN XXX-XX-XXXX, including all data elements: SSN, name(s), full name at birth, other names used, date of birth, prior date of birth (if any), place of birth, citizenship, race/ethnicity, sex, mother’s full name at birth, father’s name, date record was established or corrected, control number, and date of death (if applicable).

2. Original Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card)

A copy of the original Form SS-5 application on file for SSN XXX-XX-XXXX, as well as copies of any subsequent SS-5 applications filed for replacement cards or name/information changes.

3. Certification

Please certify both the Numident record and the SS-5 copy.

I am the individual to whom these records pertain. I understand that there are criminal penalties for making a knowing and willful request for access to records concerning another individual under false pretenses.

Enclosed: [check/money order for $73.00 ($26 Numident + $27 SS-5 + $10 Numident certification + $10 SS-5 certification)] payable to “Social Security Administration.”

[OR: Form SSA-714 for credit card payment]

For identity verification:

• Full name: [Your full legal name]
• Date of birth: [Your DOB]
• Social Security Number: XXX-XX-XXXX
• Signature: [below]

Sincerely,

[Signature] [Printed Name]

Optional: request for Internal Query elements

If you want the expanded Numident record (including special indicator codes, FICA waiver information, and other internal data elements), add the following paragraph after Item 1:

Additionally, I request the Internal Query version of the Numident record, including all additional data elements maintained on my enumeration record beyond those in the standard External/Public Query, including but not limited to special indicator codes and FICA waiver information. I understand that SSA’s Office of Privacy and Disclosure considers such requests on a case-by-case basis per GN 03325.025, and I request that any denial be accompanied by a specific citation to the Privacy Act exemption(s) relied upon.

The complete bureau-face engagement — all three levels

When all three levels are completed, the individual holds:

Together these produce the full bilateral ledger: the account-opening record (Numident/SS-5), linked by the account number (SSN) to the transaction history (IMF), decoded by the operational reference manual (Document 6209).

Decoding the results

Once you have the IMF record:

1. Download Document 6209, Section 8A from irs.gov/pub/irs-6209/
2. For each transaction code on the IMF record, look up the three-digit code in Section 8A
3. Note whether each TC is a debit or credit
4. Identify any freeze codes (cross-reference to IRM 21.5.6 on irs.gov)
5. Identify the current collection status code (cross-reference to Section 8A.3)
6. Verify entity attributes against the Numident — do the two systems agree on your identity information?

Vocabulary routing — why this language matters

The templates above use specific vocabulary that routes the request through specific processing pathways:

The Exit 6 principle: use the system’s own vocabulary, through the system’s own documented procedures, within the system’s own legally mandated timelines. These templates implement that principle at the request level.

These templates are provided as academic reference materials for the Adverse Review project. They are drawn from publicly available agency guidance, Privacy Act procedures, and FOIA requirements. They are not legal advice. They are not tax advice. Verify all addresses, fees, and procedures with the relevant agency before submitting any request.

• practice
• taxation
• exit-6
• bureau-face
• foia
• privacy-act
• numident
• individual-master-file
• document-6209
• transcript
• vocabulary