How to Get a Copy of Your 2008 Tax Return
If you need a copy of your tax submissions for 2008 or any other tax year, you can request them from the IRS. Tax information is fairly deathless once it is submitted to the federal tax agency, so recovering it is simply a matter of filling out the proper forms.
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Instructions
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You will need to fill out a Request for Transcript of Tax Return, IRS form 4506-T. This form and instructions, in PDF format, can be downloaded and printed totally free. Print all three pages. Page two has full instructions for filling out and mailing the the form. I have included a link for you at the bottom of this article in the Resources area. The transcript form for your 2008 return provides all of the actual line entries and the information that a third party would request (such as a mortgage company). If you need a hard copy of your 2008 income tax form instead, you will need to fill out and mail a different form. See Step 4 and the Resources area of this article for this.
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Once you have downloaded and printed the form, fill in the required information, sign and date it. It's best to fill in the form and send it as soon as possible, before the rush. You will need to use one form per each request. Transcripts, are available only for Form 1040 series, Form 1065, Form 1120, Form 1120A, Form 1120H, Form 1120L and Form 1120S. Requests are processed within 10 to 14 days. Don't forget to sign and date the form, and include your daytime telephone number.
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Depending on the State you live in, there are five hub locations to mail your Form 4506-T, including Andover, Maine; Doraville, Georgia; Austin, Texas; Fresno, California, and Kansas City, Missouri. The instructions point out where you should send your request. Facsimile numbers are also provided on the instruction sheet, page two, if you prefer to send your request that way.
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If you want an actual "hard" copy of your 2008 tax return, there is a $57 fee. For more information, you can phone the toll-free IRS help line at 1-800-829-1040. Or, use IRS form 4506 for this type of request.
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Tips & Warnings
Even if you decide to use one of the tax return preparation services, having a transcript of your 2008 federal income tax return, as well as all of the other paper work you will need, will speed up the process and therefore save you money.
