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Issue Number: SETT-2016-16Inside This Issue
Hold
On to Your Tax Returns; Options for Students,
Others to Get Help with Tax
Information
IRS
Special Edition Tax Tip 2015-16
The
IRS recommends that you always keep
a copy of your tax return for your records. You may need copies of your filed tax returns for
many reasons. For example, they can help you prepare future tax returns. You’ll
also need them if you have to amend a prior year tax return. You often need them
when you apply for a loan to buy a home or to start a business. You may need
them if you apply for student financial aid.
If
you can’t find your 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:
- Transcripts are free and you can get them for the
current year and the past three years. In most cases, a transcript includes the
tax information you need.
- 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.gov 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.
- To order your transcript online and have it delivered
by mail, go to IRS.gov and use the Get
Transcript tool.
- To order by phone, call 800-908-9946 and follow the
prompts.
- To request an individual tax return transcript by mail
or fax, complete Form 4506T-EZ, Short Form Request for Individual Tax Return
Transcript. Businesses and individuals who need a tax account transcript should
use Form
4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax
Return.
- You should receive your transcript within five to 10
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. Use this chart to determine when you can order your
transcript.
- 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.
Mortgage Applicants.
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 need to order a transcript, please
follow the process described above and have it mailed to the address we have on
file for you. Please plan accordingly and allow for time for delivery.
Disaster
Victims. If you
live in a federally declared disaster area, you can get a free copy of your tax
return. Visit IRS.gov for more disaster relief
information.
Financial Aid
Applicants. 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. You may also click on their help page for
more information.
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.
Identity Theft
Victims. Did
you receive a notice from the IRS about a suspicious return? Has the IRS
notified you that it did not accept your e-filed return because of a duplicate
Social Security Number? If you answered yes to either question, then you may be
a victim of tax-related identity theft. 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 our Identity Protection Specialized
Unit line to process your request. You can call the Unit at 800-908-4490. For more information please review
our Taxpayer Guide to
Identity Theft.
Tax
forms are available 24/7 on IRS.gov/forms. You can also call 800-829-3676 to get them by mail.
Additional IRS
Resources:
Tax Topic 156
– Copy or
Transcript of Your Tax Return – How to Get
One
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