How Can I Find Out the Last Time I Filed Taxes?
Uncover the exact date you last filed taxes through various reliable channels and official sources.
Individuals may need to determine their last tax filing date for various reasons, such as applying for a loan, financial planning, or ensuring compliance. This article outlines methods to obtain this information.
Checking Your Personal Records
Begin by reviewing your personal documents and digital files. Physical copies of tax returns, W-2s, or 1099s often show the filing period or a date near the signature. Postmarks on envelopes or certified mail receipts can also indicate the mailing date.
If you used tax preparation software or online filing services, these platforms store past returns and provide the filing date. Accessing your account allows you to view or download previous submissions. Additionally, bank statements showing tax payments or refund credits offer clues, as these transactions are timestamped and correlate with a filing period.
Accessing IRS Records Directly
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers ways to find your tax filing history, including processing dates. Establishing an IRS online account is a primary method, requiring identity verification through ID.me. Once verified, this account allows you to view various tax records, including tax return transcripts.
Through your IRS online account, you can obtain a Tax Account Transcript or a Record of Account Transcript. Both contain transaction codes and dates related to your filed returns. A Tax Account Transcript shows basic data, including changes made after the original filing, and is available for the current and nine prior tax years. A Record of Account Transcript combines information from both transcript types, offering a more complete overview. These transcripts indicate the date the IRS processed your return.
If you cannot access an online account, you can request transcripts by mail or phone. Requesting transcripts by mail involves submitting Form 4506-T, “Request for Transcript of Tax Return,” and delivery takes 5 to 10 calendar days. Alternatively, you can call the IRS automated phone transcript service at 1-800-908-9946, with delivery also expected within 5 to 10 days.
A transcript is a summary of your tax return information, not a photocopy of the actual return. After electronically filing a return, transcripts are available within 2 to 3 weeks. Paper-filed returns may take 6 to 8 weeks to process before transcripts become available.
Working With a Tax Professional
A tax professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Enrolled Agent, can help determine your last tax filing date. If you used a professional for past filings, they retain records of your submissions and their corresponding dates.
If your tax professional did not prepare your past returns, they can still assist by obtaining information directly from the IRS on your behalf. This involves you authorizing them using specific IRS forms like Form 8821, “Tax Information Authorization,” which allows them to inspect your confidential tax information, including transcripts. For broader assistance, Form 2848, “Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative,” grants them authority to represent you before the IRS, including discussing tax matters and accessing your tax records.