How Do I Get a Copy of My 2020 Tax Return?

It may become necessary to access a copy of your 2020 federal tax return for financial reasons, such as applying for a mortgage, verifying income for student financial aid, or responding to a government inquiry. There are several methods for retrieving these records from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or from the service you used to file.

Tax Return Copy vs. Tax Transcript

Before requesting documents, it is important to understand the difference between a tax return copy and a tax transcript. A tax transcript is a computer-generated printout that summarizes key information from your tax return. The IRS offers several types of transcripts at no charge, including the “Tax Return Transcript,” which shows most line items from your original Form 1040, such as your adjusted gross income (AGI). Transcripts are often sufficient for lenders and agencies.

An exact tax return copy is a complete duplicate of the tax return you filed, including all forms, schedules, and attachments like Form W-2. This option is typically necessary only when you need the entire, unaltered document for legal or complex financial matters.

Information You Will Need

To request a transcript or a copy of your 2020 tax return from the IRS, you must gather specific personal information. You will need the full name, Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and date of birth for the primary taxpayer and spouse if you filed jointly. You must also provide the mailing address that was listed on your 2020 tax return, even if you have since moved.

Methods for Obtaining Your Tax Documents

The fastest way to get a transcript is through the IRS “Get Transcript Online” tool. This service requires you to create an account and verify your identity through a third-party service called ID.me. The verification process involves providing personal information and may require a photo of your government-issued ID and a selfie. Once registered, you can immediately view, print, or download your 2020 tax return transcript.

If you prefer not to use the online tool or need a full return copy, you can submit a request by mail. For a transcript, you would mail the completed Form 4506-T to the IRS address listed in the form’s instructions. For a complete copy, you must mail Form 4506 along with a $43 fee for each tax year requested. Mail requests can take up to 75 calendar days to process.

Often, the simplest way to get your 2020 tax return is to contact the source you used for filing. If you used tax preparation software, you can typically log in to your account and access prior-year returns for download or printing. If you hired a tax professional, they may also be able to provide a copy. Tax preparers generally keep copies of returns they’ve prepared for a minimum of three years.