How to Get Certified Tax Returns From the IRS

Tax returns serve as official records of an individual’s or entity’s financial activity and tax obligations. These documents are often necessary for various purposes beyond annual filing, such as securing loans, navigating legal proceedings, or fulfilling immigration requirements. When these situations arise, a standard photocopy of a tax return may not suffice; instead, an official, verified copy directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is essential. Obtaining such certified documentation ensures the information’s integrity and acceptance by requesting parties.

Understanding Certified Tax Returns

A certified tax return is an official copy of a tax return that has been stamped and signed by the IRS, confirming its authenticity and accuracy. This differs significantly from a simple photocopy or a tax transcript, which summarizes tax data. While a tax transcript, often requested using Form 4506-T, provides a line-by-line printout of information from a tax return, it is not a duplicate of the original document. A certified copy, obtained through Form 4506, is an exact replica of the return as it was filed, including all schedules and attachments. The certification process verifies that the document is a true and unaltered copy of what the IRS received and processed, making it necessary for specific financial applications, immigration cases, or legal disputes where an exact, verified duplicate is required.

Preparing Your Request

To obtain a certified copy of your tax return, complete and submit IRS Form 4506, titled “Request for Copy of Tax Return.” You can typically obtain Form 4506 directly from the IRS website or by contacting the IRS via phone.

Accurate completion of Form 4506 is important to prevent processing delays. You will need to provide:
Your full legal name(s) exactly as they appeared on the tax return.
Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Your current mailing address; if your address was different when the requested tax return was filed, include that previous address.
The exact tax form number (e.g., Form 1040) and the specific tax year(s) for which you need the certified copies.
Your signature(s) and the date, ensuring the IRS receives the signed form within 120 days of the signature date.

Submitting Your Request and Receiving Your Returns

Once Form 4506 is accurately completed, mail it to the IRS. The specific mailing address depends on the state you resided in or where your business was located when the tax return was originally filed, as detailed in the Form 4506 instructions.

There is a fee of $43 for each certified copy of a tax return requested using Form 4506. You should attach payment for the requested copies when mailing the form. After submission, the IRS typically takes up to 75 calendar days to process the request and mail the certified copies. The certified returns will be sent to the address provided on your Form 4506 via U.S. mail. If the returns are not received within the expected timeframe, you can contact the IRS for an update on your request.