How to Request a Copy of Income Tax Returns

Keep copies of your income tax return for at least three years.

The IRS recommends that you keep copies of your income tax returns for as long as the federal law requires them. You should keep any records supporting wages or a deduction on your tax return until the 3-year statute of limitations for returns expires. Still, things happen, such as natural disasters or the misplacement of documents, and you may need to get a copy of your income tax return.

Things You'll Need

• Form 4506
• Form 4506-T

Instructions

1. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You can request a tax return transcript and/or a tax account transcript by calling this number Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. your local time. The tax return transcript reflects the majority of the line items from your tax return; the tax account transcript shows any changes you or the IRS made after you filed the return.

2. Complete and mail Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) to the IRS. The transcript is free of charge and you should receive it within two weeks.

3. Complete and mail Form 4506 (Request for Copy of Tax Return) if you need an exact copy of your tax return. There is a fee for the return -- $57 for 2010 -- and you must allow 60 calendar days for delivery.

Tips & Warnings

• If a tax preparer filed your income tax return, you can receive it sooner by requesting a copy from him.

References

• IRS: Need a Copy of Your Tax Return Information?
• IRS: What Records Should I Keep?

Resources

• Form 4506
• Form 4506-T
• Telephone Assistance