How to Get a Copy of a Past Filed Tax Return
Whether you need a past tax return to apply for a mortgage or a student loan or simply for your own records, in most instances it is possible to get a copy from the Internal Revenue Service within seven years of the date that it was filed. After submitting the proper documentation and fee, you will receive a copy of the past tax return, including any forms or schedules that were filed along with it.
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Instructions
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Retrieve IRS Form 4506 from the IRS website; this is the official form for requesting a copy of a previous tax return.
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Complete IRS Form 4506, including such information as the name, address and Social Security number of the federal taxpayer for whom the previous tax return is sought. If you would like the past return to be sent directly to a third party, such as a mortgage company, the third party's contact information should be included on Line 5. Indicate the tax return you are requesting both by the type of form filed and the year in which the tax return was filed. Sign the form -- by including your signature, you are affirming that either you are the taxpayer for whom the past tax return is being requested or you have been authorized by the taxpayer to request the return.
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Include the $57 processing fee for each past return requested. The processing fee is payable by personal check or money order and should be made out to United States Treasury. Include your tax identification number (such as SSN, EIN or ITIN), followed by "Form 4506 request," on the payment's memo line.
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Mail IRS Form 4506 and your payment to the appropriate RAIVS team for processing. Consult the chart on Page 2 of Form 4506 under general instructions to determine the address where the form should be sent.
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Tips & Warnings
To avoid paying the $57 processing fee, you may request that the IRS send you a transcript of your tax return by either using Form 4506-T or by calling 1-800-829-1040. This service is free.
It may take the IRS up to 60 days to process a request for a past tax return.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
