How to get copy of taxes from irs

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can provide you with copies of your tax return from the most recent seven tax years. You can request copies by preparing Form 4506 and attaching payment of $43 for each one. Once the IRS receives your request, it can take up to 60 days for the agency to process it. If you filed your taxes with a TurboTax CD/download product, your tax return should be stored on your computer, so you can print a copy at any time. If you used TurboTax Online, you can log in and print copies of your tax return for free.

Step 1: Download Form 4506

The only way you can obtain copies of your tax return from the IRS is by filing Form 4506 with the IRS. You can download this form from the IRS website.

Step 2: Enter required data

Enter your name and Social Security number on line 1. If you filed a joint return for any of the years you are requesting copies, then you must also provide your spouse’s name and Social Security number on line 2.

Step 3: Enter address

Enter your current address on line 3. If your current address is different than the address you report on your past-filed returns, enter that previous address on line 4. If you want your tax return sent directly to a third party, such as a bank evaluating your mortgage application, you can enter their name, address and phone number on line 5. If you leave line 5 blank, the IRS will mail your tax return to your current address.

Step 4: Enter form used

Enter the form you used to file your federal income tax return on line 6. If you are requesting a personal income tax return, it’s likely you filed on Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040A or 1040EZ. You must also enter the tax years you are requesting copies for on line 7. For example, if you are requesting your 2020 tax return, enter “12/31/2020” and not just “2020”.

Step 5: Enter number of returns

Enter the number of returns you are requesting on line 8b. As of 2022, the IRS charges $43 for each return. Multiply the number of returns you are requesting on line 8b by the applicable fee on line 8a and enter the total fee on line 8c.

Step 6: Sign and mail

Sign the form and mail to the appropriate IRS address. Page 2 of Form 4506 requires you to mail your request to the address listed for the state you lived in when you filed the original return. Before mailing, insure you enclose full payment; otherwise, the IRS will not process your request.

Remember, if you filed your tax return with TurboTax, you can skip these steps and either print your tax return from your computer, or download it from your TurboTax Online account.

Things You'll Need:

• IRS Form 4506

Tips:

• If you are requesting copies of a joint return, it’s not necessary for your spouse to sign Form 4506.

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Chris Hutchison helped build NerdWallet's content team at its outset and went on to work as an assigning editor on banking and investing and oversaw taxes coverage. He now leads a team exploring new markets. Prior to joining NerdWallet, he was an editor and programmer at ESPN and a copy editor at the San Jose Mercury News.

Lei Han, Ph.D., is an associate professor of accounting at Niagara University in Western New York and a New York state-licensed CPA. She obtained her Ph.D. in accounting with a minor in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her teaching expertise is advanced accounting and governmental and nonprofit accounting. She is a member of the American Accounting Association and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

The IRS recommends that taxpayers keep a copy of tax returns for at least three years. Doing so can help taxpayers prepare future tax returns or even assist with amending a prior year’s return. If a taxpayer is unable to locate copies of previous year tax returns, they should check with their software provider or tax preparer first. Tax returns are available from IRS for a fee.

Even though taxpayers may have a copy of their tax return, some taxpayers need a transcript. These are often necessary for a mortgage or college financial aid application.

Here is some information about copies of tax returns and transcripts that can help taxpayers know when and how to get them:

Transcripts

To get a transcript, taxpayers can:

• Order online. They can use the Get Transcript tool on IRS.gov. Users must authenticate their identity with the Secure Access process.
• Order by mail. Taxpayers can use Get Transcript by Mail or call 800-908-9946 to order a tax return transcripts and tax account transcripts.
• Complete and send either 4506-T or 4506T-EZ to the IRS. They should use Form 4506-T to request other tax records, such as a tax account transcript, record of account, wage and income, and a verification of non-filing.

Transcripts are free and available for the current tax year and the past three years. A transcript usually displays most line items from the tax return. This includes marital status, the type of return filed, adjusted gross income and taxable income. It also includes items from any related forms and schedules filed. It doesn’t reflect any changes the taxpayer or the IRS may have made to the original return.

Taxpayers needing a transcript should remember to plan ahead. Delivery times for online and phone orders typically take five to 10 days from the time the IRS receives the request. Taxpayers should allow 30 days to receive a transcript ordered by mail, and 75 days for copies of your tax return.

Copies of tax returns

Taxpayers who need an actual copy of a tax return can get one for the current tax year and as far back as six years. The fee per copy is $50. A taxpayer will complete and mail Form 4506 to request a copy of a tax return. They should mail the request to the appropriate IRS office listed on the form.

Taxpayers who live in a federally declared disaster area can get a free copy of their tax return. More disaster relief information is available on IRS.gov.

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