Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, is a form filed by taxpayers to request exact copies of one or more previously filed tax returns and other tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Copies may be needed to complete a current-year tax return, amend a prior-year tax return, file a claim for a refund or abatement, apply for government benefits, apply for federal student aid, verifying income during a loan application process, or to defend an IRS audit. Third parties, such as mortgage lenders verifying your income with the IRS, may also use it, with the return(s) sent directly to them. There is a fee for getting a full copy of a tax return, though in some cases, a transcript—a shorter printout of the return information—may serve the need just as well. Taxpayers requesting a copy of their past returns can file Form 4506 and have the returns sent to themselves or to a third party such as a lender, and can request copies of returns filed in the current year as well as in the previous six years. Form 4506-T and 4506-T-EZ are also available to request a transcript (a printout of the information, not including any attachments) of a previously filed tax return, and transcript requests can be made online for free. The transcript, however, doesn’t show any changes made after the return was originally processed.
What is Form 4506?
Form 4506 is used by taxpayers to obtain exact copies of their previously filed tax returns and associated tax information from the IRS. Copies may be used for current year tax returns, refunds or abatements, loan applications, or to prepare for an IRS audit. To obtain an exact copy, a $43 fee is required and copies are usually available back for the past six years. Alternatively, taxpayers can use Form 4506-T or 4506-T-EZ to geta free transcript of the tax returns which includes the most important information for a fraction of the cost. Third parties may also request a copy with authorization from the taxpayer.
IRS Form 4506 – Who Needs to Fill It Out?
Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, is used by taxpayers to get exact copies of previously filed tax returns and associated tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For those who just need some of this information, Forms 4506-T or 4506-T-EZ allow taxpayers get a transcript for free. Either form requires a fee of $43 to receive a copy of a tax return, and a transcript is accepted as a substitute in some cases. Both forms are available to download on the IRS website or can be accessed through the IRS’s online Get Transcript tool or by calling the IRS. Third parties such as mortgage lenders may also use Form 4506 (or 4506-T) as part of a loan application process.
Step-by-Step: Form 4506 Instructions For Filling Out the Document
Filling out Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, is the process by which taxpayers can request exact copies of previously filed tax returns and associated information from the IRS. Copies may be needed for a variety of reasons, such as current-year tax filing, amendment of a prior year return, loan applications, etc. A fee of $43 applies to each requested tax period, copies of which are usually available going back six years. Requests can be made by downloading and filling out Form 4506, which must then be mailed to the IRS at the address listed on the form. In some cases, free transcripts of the return information may suffice. Additional forms in the 4506 series, such as Form 4506-T and 4506-T-EZ, allow for quick, free requests of a transcript of a previously filed tax return. Transcripts, while shorter than a full copy, can be accepted as a substitute for exact copies of a return by certain third parties such as mortgage lenders.
Below, we present a table that will help you understand how to fill out Form 4506.
| Reason for Request | Details |
|---|---|
| Current-year tax filing | Requesting a copy for the current tax year |
| Prior year return amendment | Requesting a copy for amending a prior year’s return |
| Loan applications | Requesting a copy for loan application purposes |
| Fee | $43 per requested tax period |
| Availability | Copies available for the past six years |
| Request process | Download Form 4506 and mail it to the IRS |
| Alternative | Transcripts available for certain purposes |
| Transcript forms | Form 4506-T and 4506-T-EZ for quick, free requests |
| Third-party acceptance | Transcripts accepted by some third parties like mortgage lenders |
Do You Need to File Form 4506 Each Year?
Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, can provide taxpayers with an exact copy of a previously filed tax return and tax information. It can be used for a range of different purposes, such as amending a prior-year tax return, verifying income during a loan application process, or defending an IRS audit. Form 4506-T or 4506-T-EZ allows for a free transcript of a previously filed tax return, which may be sufficient for many scenarios. There is a fee for getting a full copy of a return, and in some cases, the transcripts available from Form 4506-T/4506-T-EZ may satisfy most needs. Both forms are available on the IRS website and can be requested from the IRS via mail or online for an immediate response.
Download the official IRS Form 4506 PDF
On the official IRS website, you will find a link to download Form 4506. However, to make it easier for you, we are providing the link in our article, which comes directly from the official irs.gov website! Click to download: Form 4506
Sources:
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4506
