There are a few occasions in life when we need to come up with a copy of an old tax return. Applying for a new mortgage or refinancing are a couple. Today with e-filing some people still print copies of their returns while others save them to their hard drive or USB flash drive. If you had to get your last two years worth of returns, right now, could you? What would you do if you couldn’t?
The following information comes from www.irs.gov and tells you how you can go about ordering a copy of your own individual return.
You have two easy and convenient options for getting copies of your federal tax return information–tax return transcripts and tax account transcripts–by phone or by mail.
Request transcripts by calling 1-800-829-1040, or order by mail using IRS Form 4506T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return). We do not charge a fee for transcripts. Allow two weeks for delivery.
Definitions:
A tax return transcript shows most line items from your tax return (Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) as it was originally filed, including any accompanying forms and schedules. It does not reflect any changes you, your representative or the IRS made after the return was filed. In many cases, a return transcript will meet the requirements of lending institutions such as those offering mortgages and for applying for student loans.
A tax account transcript shows any later adjustments either you or the IRS made after the tax return was filed. This transcript shows basic data, including marital status, type of return filed, adjusted gross income and taxable income.
