You’re staring at a mortgage application or maybe a student loan form, and there it is. The dreaded request for your 2022 tax return. Panic sets in. You check that one "important papers" folder—the one with the expired Bed Bath & Beyond coupons and a random Lego instruction manual—but the return is gone. Honestly, it happens to the best of us. Most people think they’re totally screwed if they didn't save a PDF or keep a physical copy, but the IRS actually has a memory like an elephant.
Finding out how to get my previous tax returns isn't actually that hard, but there's a catch.
You need to know the difference between a "tax return" and a "tax transcript." They sound like the same thing. They aren't. If you just need to prove your income for a bank, a transcript is usually plenty. It’s a summarized version. If you need the actual, beautiful (or hideous) form with your messy handwriting or specific attachments, that’s a copy of the return. One is free and fast; the other costs 43 bucks and takes forever.
🔗 Read more: 110 Pounds in Dollars: Why the Math Isn't as Simple as You Think
The Secret World of IRS Transcripts
Most people don't need the actual 1040 form. Seriously.
If you are applying for a loan, the lender just wants to see that you didn't lie about how much you made. The IRS offers several types of transcripts. The Tax Return Transcript is the big one. It shows most line items from your original return. Then there’s the Tax Account Transcript, which shows basic data like your marital status and any later adjustments you made.
Getting these online is the way to go. You’ll use the "Get Your Tax Record" tool on the IRS website. But here is where it gets annoying: ID.me. To access your records, you have to verify your identity through a third-party service called ID.me. It involves taking a selfie and uploading your driver's license. Some people hate this. It feels invasive. But unless you want to wait weeks for a piece of mail, it’s the hoop you have to jump through.
If the digital route makes you want to throw your laptop out a window, you can request a transcript by mail. You use Form 4506-T. It’s a one-page document. You fill it out, mail it to the address listed for your state, and wait. And wait. Usually, it takes 5 to 10 business days. Sometimes longer if the IRS is having a "moment."
When You Absolutely Need the Original Document
Sometimes a transcript won't cut it. Maybe you're in a complex legal battle or an intense audit where every single attachment matters.
To get an actual copy of your return, you need Form 4506. Notice there is no "T" at the end. That "T" stands for transcript. Without it, you’re asking for the whole kit and caboodle.
The IRS charges $43 for each return you request.
🔗 Read more: Why the Australian Refrigeration Council Logo Actually Matters for Your Next Reno
That’s per year. If you need three years of returns, you’re looking at over a hundred dollars. It’s a bit of a racket, but it is what it is. You also have to be patient. The IRS says it can take up to 75 calendar days to process these requests. If you’re in a rush to close on a house, this is not your solution.
The Software Shortcut You Probably Forgot
Wait. Before you pay the government a dime, did you use TurboTax? H&R Block? FreeTaxUSA?
Basically, these companies keep your data for years. If you used online software to file, log back in. Most of these services keep your returns for at least seven years, though some might charge a small fee if you’ve downgraded to a free account since then. It’s almost always faster than dealing with the IRS directly.
Even if you went to a local CPA, they are generally required by law to keep copies of your returns for a certain period—usually three to seven years depending on the state and the type of filing. Give them a call. They might grumble about digging through digital archives, but they usually have it.
Why You Might Not Find Anything at All
There are times when you go through all this effort and come up empty.
If you didn't file, obviously, there’s no return to find. But sometimes, if you filed very recently, the transcript isn't ready yet. The IRS needs time to process the data. If you filed a paper return, it could take months to show up in the system. Digital filings are usually ready in a few weeks.
📖 Related: China Yuan to Pakistani Rupees: Why the Rate Never Stays Put
Also, the IRS doesn't keep these forever. For transcripts, you can usually go back about three years for the current year’s filing. If you need something from 1998, you’re likely out of luck unless you’re a hoarders-level document saver.
What Most People Get Wrong About State Returns
Don't forget that your federal return doesn't include your state return.
The IRS is federal. They don't care about what you sent to California or New York. If you need your state records, you have to contact your state’s Department of Revenue. Every state has its own rules. Some are great and let you download PDFs instantly. Others are stuck in 1974 and require you to send a notarized letter and a check.
Practical Steps to Get Your Records Now
- Check your email first. Search for "Tax Confirmation" or the name of the software you used. You might have a "Download your return" link you never clicked.
- Try the IRS "Get Transcript" tool online. It’s the fastest way to see how to get my previous tax returns data without spending money. Prepare for the ID.me verification process.
- Call your old tax preparer. If you paid someone to do your taxes, you paid for the record-keeping too. Use that service.
- Use Form 4506-T for a free mailed transcript. Use this if the online tool rejects your identity verification (which happens more than you’d think).
- File Form 4506 (and pay the $43) only as a last resort. This is for when you need the actual signatures and every single schedule attached to the return.
- Download and save everything as a PDF moving forward. Put it in a cloud drive. Put it on a thumb drive. Put it everywhere so you never have to do this again.
If you’re currently in the middle of a disaster like a fire or a flood, the IRS sometimes waives the fees for copies of returns. You’ll need to check their "Tax Relief in Disaster Situations" page to see if your area qualifies. It’s one of the few times they actually cut you a break.
Once you get that document, save it in at least two places. The digital age makes it easy to lose things in a sea of files, but it also makes it incredibly easy to back things up. Don't let your future self go through this headache again next year.