If you’re one of those people who have a mountain of paperwork that you need to sift through every tax season just to find your past tax returns, then this article is for you. Did you know that accessing your past tax returns has never been easier? You can now access them online by following these simple steps.
Step 1: Gather Information
Before you begin the process of obtaining your past tax returns online, it’s important that you gather all necessary information such as Social Security number, date of birth and filing status. This will enable the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify your identity and ensure that only authorized individuals are permitted access.
Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Method
The IRS offers two methods for obtaining your past tax returns online; the Get Transcript Online and Get Transcript by Mail options. The former enables users instant access while the latter involves sending physical copies via mail.
Option 1: Get Transcript Online
To acquire transcripts instantly, visit the official IRS website at irs.gov. Simply click on “Get Your Tax Record” followed by “Get Transcript Online.” Then proceed with providing verification information which includes personal information such as name, social security number, address etc.
It’s worth noting that not all transcript types may be available online but typically include both federal income tax return transcripts (Form W-2) and financial account transcripts (mortgage payments, credit card debt).
Option 2 : Get Transcript by Mail
For those who prefer receiving hard copies or didn’t qualify for instant retrieval option above,certainly opt in for snail mail version called ‘Get Transcript By Mail’. To do so,you can either go through their website or call a toll-free phone number provided on their site in order to obtain an authenticated copy directly from IRS offices within five to ten days .
Step 3: Wait
If you choose the Get Transcript by Mail option, be prepared to wait for about five to ten days before receiving your copy of the transcript. Once received, confirm that all information is correct and file it in a safe place.
In conclusion, accessing your past tax returns has never been easier thanks to online services offered by the IRS. Follow these simple steps outlined in this article to gain access to your past tax returns today!
FAQs
Here are three popular FAQs with answers related to accessing past tax returns online:
How far back can I access my past tax returns online?
Answer: You can access your previous year tax return transcripts or summaries for the current year and up to three prior years through the IRS Get Transcript tool. If you need a copy of your actual filed and processed tax return, it is available for up to six years after filing.
Is there a fee charged for accessing past tax returns online?
Answer: No, there is no fee charged by the IRS for accessing past tax returns online. You can use their Get Transcript tool, which allows you to view and print transcripts of your past income tax returns at no cost.
What information do I need in order to access my past tax returns online?
Answer: In order to access your past tax returns using the IRS Get Transcript tool, you will need to provide some personal information such as your Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), date of birth, and mailing address from your most recent filed tax return. Additionally, in order to verify that you are authorized to receive this information they may ask additional identifying questions based on financial data provided during registration or listed on one’s Equifax credit report
