CARL WATTS & ASSOCIATES
October 05, 2015
|
Washington DC
|
tel/fax 202 350-9002 |
|
There are various reasons for which you may hear this request and need to produce a copy of a past tax return. Whether you need it to file the current year tax return or amend a previous one, to apply for a loan to buy a home or start a business or to apply for student financial aid, you should always keep a copy of your tax returns for your personal records.
|
 |
|
If, for any reason, you do not have a copy, you can ask your tax preparer to provide one. But what if that is not an option either?
If you do not have copies, the IRS can provide a transcript of the tax information you need, or a copy of your tax return. Here’s more information, including how to get your federal tax return information from the IRS. |
|
|
|
If you need a copy of your filed and processed tax return, it will cost $50 for each tax year. You should complete Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, to make the request. Mail it to the IRS address listed on the form for your area. Copies are generally available for the current year and past six years. You should allow 75 days for delivery. |
|
You can also request a transcript of a tax return from the IRS. The tax transcript is a transferred data and numbers of what was reported in your 1040 tax form to the IRS system.
|
|
Transcripts are free and you can get them for the current year and the past three years. In most cases. A tax return transcript shows most line items from the tax return that you filed. It also includes items from any accompanying forms and schedules that you filed. It doesn’t reflect any changes you or the IRS may have made after you filed your original return. |
 |
|
|
|
A tax account transcript includes your marital status, the type of return you filed, your adjusted gross income and taxable income. It does include any changes that you or the IRS made to your tax return after you filed it.
|
|
You can order your free transcripts online, by phone, by mail or fax at this time.
|
|
The IRS has temporarily stopped the online functionality of the Get Transcript application process on the IRS website that delivered your transcript immediately. The IRS is making modifications and further strengthening security for the online service. While you can still use the Get Transcript Tool to order your transcript, the IRS will send it to you via mail to the last address we have on file for you. |
|
|
|
Please !
|
Troubles viewing this message? View in browser online here
|
| You should receive your transcript within five to ten days from the time the IRS receives your request. Please note that ordering your transcript online or over the phone are the quickest options. |
| Keep in mind that the method you used to file your return and whether you have a refund or balance due affects your current year transcript availability. You can use a special chart on the IRS website to determine the general timeframe when you can request a transcript for a current year Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ return filed on or before the April due date. |
| If you are applying for a mortgage, most mortgage companies only require a tax return transcript for income verification purposes and participate in our IVES (Income Verification Express Service) program. |
| If you are a disaster victim and live in a federally declared disaster area, you can get a free copy of your tax return. |
|
|
| If you are applying for financial aid, you can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA website to import your tax return information to your financial aid application. The temporary shutdown of the Get Transcript tool does not affect the Data Retrieval Tool. |
 |
| If you need a copy of your transcript you should follow the information above to request it as soon as possible. It takes 5 to 10 calendar days for transcripts to arrive at the address the IRS has on file for you. |
|
If you are a tax-related identity theft victim you first need to file the Identity Theft Affidavit. If you are waiting for the IRS to resolve your case but need a transcript, you will need to call the Identity Protection Specialized Unit line to process your request. |
| Taxpayers are generally advised to keep their tax returns and all records that support expenses and deductions for at least three years, which is the IRS statute of limitations, but it is wise to keep your tax documents for more as the statute of limitations may differ for the state tax return. |
| We always advise that you work with a tax professional in any tax situation you may encounter. Requesting a tax return copy or transcript may seem easy enough for anybody, but having enrolled the services of a tax pro might save you a lot of pain and time by providing the copies they themselves keep for you as a valued customer. |
|
|
 |