Another option is to request the Tax Account Transcript, which contains information like the return type, marital status, gross income, and payment types in your old returns going back 3 years. It also shows changes you made after you filed your original return.
If you want to access the transcript online, you will also need to provide your email address. If you want a transcript mailed to you, you do not need to provide a personal account number from a credit card, mortgage, home equity loan, or home equity line of credit, or a phone number. Having an online account with IRS also allows you to check on the status of your taxes and do other tax-related tasks through the online portal.
If you choose to receive the transcript by mail, it should arrive within 5-10 days to the mailing address you provided when you set up an account with the IRS.
You will also need to provide a current mailing address so the old tax returns can be mailed to you.
The IRS charges $50 USD per tax return you request. If you need more than 1 copy of an old tax return or tax returns for different years, you will need to fill out a separate Form 4506 for each 1 and include a $50 USD fee for each 1. If the IRS cannot find the tax return for the year you requested, they will refund the fee.
Keep in mind that as part the package from the IRS, you will also receive any old W-2s and Form 1099s that apply to the tax year you requested.
