How to Get a Copy of Your Tax Return

Individuals often need copies of past tax returns for various reasons, such as loan applications, financial aid, or maintaining personal records. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers several avenues to obtain these documents, including online access and mailed requests.

Accessing Tax Transcripts Online

The IRS provides an online tool, “Get Transcript Online,” allowing immediate access to various tax transcripts. To use this service, individuals must complete an identity verification process. This involves providing personal information such as a Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and current mailing address.

Further verification requires providing a financial account number, such as a credit card, home mortgage, or auto loan. A mobile phone number capable of receiving text messages is essential for multi-factor authentication, where the IRS sends an authentication code via text. Once identity is verified, users can select the specific transcript type needed, such as a tax return transcript, tax account transcript, or wage and income transcript, for a chosen tax year. These transcripts can then be viewed, printed, or downloaded directly from the portal. This online method provides a summary of information from your return, not an exact copy of the filed tax return itself.

Requesting Tax Transcripts by Mail

Tax transcripts can be requested by mail using IRS Form 4506-T, “Request for Transcript of Tax Return,” or through the “Get Transcript by Mail” tool on the IRS website. When completing Form 4506-T, individuals must accurately fill in their name, Social Security number, and current address, ensuring it matches the address on their tax return. If the current address differs from the one on the last filed return, the previous address should also be provided on the form.

The form requires specifying the type of transcript desired and the relevant tax year. Once completed, the signed Form 4506-T is mailed to the appropriate IRS address. Transcripts requested by mail are generally received within 5 to 10 calendar days. This service is provided free of charge and offers a summary of most line items from your original tax return, including adjusted gross income (AGI), but it is not a duplicate of the entire filed return.

Ordering Full Tax Return Copies

Obtaining an exact duplicate of a previously filed tax return, including all schedules and attachments, requires a different process than requesting a transcript. For this, individuals must use IRS Form 4506, “Request for Copy of Tax Return.” This form is distinct from Form 4506-T, as it requests a complete replica of the tax return rather than a summary.

To complete Form 4506, taxpayers need to provide their name, Social Security number, current address, the specific tax form number (e.g., Form 1040), and the tax year(s) for which the copy is needed. A signature is also required to authorize the release of the return. There is a fee associated with each copy requested, which is currently $43 per return. The completed Form 4506, along with the payment, must be mailed to the designated IRS address. Processing times for full tax return copies are generally longer than for transcripts, often taking up to 75 days.

Retrieving Returns from Other Sources

Beyond direct requests to the IRS, individuals may find copies of their tax returns through alternative channels. Many tax preparers, such as accountants or tax service providers, retain client records for several years. Contacting your tax preparer is often a straightforward way to obtain a copy of a previously filed return, as they typically maintain digital or physical archives.

Similarly, if tax returns were prepared and filed using commercial tax preparation software, such as TurboTax or H&R Block, users can often access and download past returns directly from their online accounts. This usually involves logging into the software platform and navigating to a section dedicated to past tax years. In some cases, financial institutions like banks or mortgage lenders might have copies of tax returns on file if they were submitted as part of a loan application. However, relying on these sources may be less consistent, as their record retention policies can vary, and they may not have all the specific years or documents needed.