How Do I Find a Copy of My Tax Return?

You may need a copy of a previously filed tax return for many reasons, such as applying for a mortgage or securing student financial aid. Having this documentation is a common requirement for verifying income and financial history. The method you choose will depend on the type of document you need and how quickly you need it.

Understanding Your Options: Tax Transcript vs. Tax Return Copy

Before requesting documents, understand the difference between a tax transcript and a tax return copy. A tax transcript is a computer-generated summary of the data points from your tax return. The IRS provides several types of transcripts free of charge, with the “Tax Return Transcript” being the most common. This transcript shows most line items from your original Form 1040, including your adjusted gross income (AGI), and is often sufficient for lenders and financial aid applications.

A tax return copy is a photocopy of the exact return you filed, including all schedules and attachments like W-2s. Obtaining a copy from the IRS involves a fee and a longer wait time compared to a transcript. For most situations, a transcript is the faster and more cost-effective solution.

Information Needed to Make a Request

You should gather several pieces of personal information to make a request. You will need your full name as it appeared on the tax return, your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and your date of birth. You must also know the filing status you used for the specific tax year you are requesting, such as Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household.

Finally, you will need the mailing address that was on the original return. Having this information ready will prevent delays whether you are making a request online, by mail, or over the phone.

How to Get Federal Tax Documents from the IRS

The fastest way to get a federal tax transcript is by using the “Get Transcript Online” tool through an IRS Online Account. This requires you to verify your identity through a secure process. Once registered, you can immediately view, print, or download transcripts for the current tax year and several prior years.

If you cannot use the online tool, you can request transcripts by mail. You will complete and mail Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return. This form is available on the IRS website. After mailing the form to the address specified in its instructions, you can expect to receive your transcript within five to 10 business days.

For an exact copy of your filed return, you must use Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. This requires a payment for each tax return requested, and the fee is $43 per copy. After completing Form 4506 and mailing it with the fee, the processing time is significantly longer, potentially taking up to 75 days.

Accessing Your Return Through Your Tax Preparer or Software

If you used tax preparation software to file your return, you can often access copies directly from your account. Companies like H&R Block and FreeTaxUSA store your past returns for several years. To retrieve them, sign in to your account on the software’s website. The returns are typically available to view or download as a PDF file at no additional cost.

If you hired a tax professional to prepare your taxes, they can provide you with a copy. Tax preparers are required to keep copies of their clients’ returns for at least three years, and most retain them for longer. Contacting your preparer is a quick way to obtain the documents you need.

Finding a State Tax Return

The methods for obtaining federal tax documents do not apply to your state tax returns. Each state has its own department of revenue with unique procedures for requesting copies of state filings. To find a copy of your state tax return, you must go through that specific state’s tax agency.

Perform an online search for phrases like “[State Name] department of revenue” or “[State Name] get tax return copy.” This will direct you to the correct government website. From there, you can follow the specific instructions provided by your state to request a copy of your return, which may involve an online portal, a mail-in form, or a fee.