How long does it take to get a copy of a tax return from the IRS using Form 4506?

The IRS states that processing Form 4506 requests takes approximately 75 calendar days from the date the request is received. This timeline can be longer during peak filing seasons or periods of high IRS workload. Practitioners should factor this delay into any mortgage closing, legal proceeding, or other deadline-sensitive context.

How far back can I request a copy of my tax return using Form 4506?

The IRS generally retains copies of filed returns for up to seven years. Requests for returns older than that will likely result in a 'no record found' response, and the $43 fee is not refunded. If you need documentation of older returns, check whether you or your prior preparer retained copies, as that is typically the only remaining source.

Can a mortgage lender submit Form 4506 directly to the IRS on my behalf?

Yes, but only with your written authorization. When you sign Form 4506 and a lender is listed in Line 5 as the recipient, that signed form serves as your authorization for the IRS to send the copy directly to the lender. The taxpayer's signature is still required — the lender cannot submit the form without it.

What happens if the IRS cannot find the return I requested?

If the IRS has no record of the return — because it was never filed, is outside the retention window, or the identifying information was incorrect — the agency will notify you but typically will not refund the $43 fee. This is why confirming the correct tax year, taxpayer name, and SSN before submission is critical.

Can I request copies of business tax returns such as Form 1120 or Form 1065 using Form 4506?

Yes. Form 4506 can be used to request copies of any return type, including corporate returns (Form 1120), partnership returns (Form 1065), S corporation returns (Form 1120-S), and estate or trust returns (Form 1041). A separate Form 4506 and $43 fee is required for each return type requested, and the person signing must have authority to act on behalf of the entity.

Is there a way to get a copy of my tax return faster than the 75-day Form 4506 process?

If a transcript will satisfy your needs, Form 4506-T or the IRS's online Get Transcript tool can provide data within minutes to a few days at no cost. For an actual copy of the return, there is no expedited option through the IRS — the standard Form 4506 process is the only available channel. Maintaining your own records (or ensuring your CPA retains them) is the most reliable way to access prior-year returns quickly.

Tax Returns

Form 4506: Request for Copy of Tax Return

Used to request an actual photocopy of a previously filed and processed tax return, along with all attachments and schedules.

Download Form 4506 PDF About on IRS.gov

Overview

IRS Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, is the official mechanism for obtaining an actual photocopy of a previously filed and processed federal tax return, complete with all attachments, schedules, and supporting documents. Unlike Form 4506-T, which provides a transcript summarizing return data, Form 4506 delivers the literal document as it was filed — signatures, preparer information, and all. This distinction matters enormously in contexts where a third party requires proof of the original filing rather than an IRS-generated summary.

The IRS retains paper and electronic copies of filed returns for a limited period — generally up to seven years for most return types — so requests for copies older than that may go unfulfilled. The authority to maintain and reproduce these records flows from the IRS's broad administrative mandate under the Internal Revenue Code, and the agency charges a user fee (currently $43 per return copy) to recover processing costs. Requests typically take 75 calendar days to process, which is considerably slower than the transcript process; practitioners should build this lag into any transaction or legal timeline.

Common use cases include mortgage underwriting where a lender specifically requires the original return rather than a transcript, legal proceedings such as divorce or estate litigation, amended return preparation where the original is lost, and immigration or government benefit applications. Most CPA firms advise clients to retain their own copies indefinitely precisely to avoid the cost and delay of this process. When a client does need a copy, Form 4506 is the correct and only IRS-sanctioned vehicle for obtaining it.

Who Files This Form?

Any individual, business entity, estate, or trust that needs an exact photocopy of a previously filed federal tax return must use Form 4506. There is no income threshold or specific triggering event defined by statute — the form is available to any filer who has a legitimate need for a copy of their own return.

Third parties, such as lenders, attorneys, or government agencies, may also submit Form 4506 on behalf of a taxpayer, but only with the taxpayer's signed authorization. The form itself serves as that authorization: the taxpayer's signature in Section 9 grants the IRS permission to release the copy either to the taxpayer directly or to a designated third party named in the form.

Several nuances govern who should use this form versus its relatives. If a taxpayer or lender only needs income or filing status data — and not the actual return document — Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) is faster, free, and usually sufficient. Form 4506 is specifically required when the recipient needs wet signatures, attached schedules in their original format, or documentation that a transcript would not replicate.

Businesses requesting copies of partnership, corporate, or exempt-organization returns follow the same process as individuals but must ensure the person signing has proper authority (e.g., a corporate officer for a C corporation, a general partner for a partnership). Deceased taxpayers' returns may be requested by an authorized executor or administrator, who must attach supporting documentation such as Letters Testamentary. There are no exceptions to the $43-per-return fee; even requests that go unfulfilled because the IRS no longer holds the return may not result in a refund, so practitioners should confirm the return year is within the retention window before filing.

Key Fields

Line 1a: Name shown on tax return

Enter the name exactly as it appeared on the return being requested. For joint returns, use the name listed first. A mismatch between the name on the 4506 and the IRS records is one of the most common rejection reasons.

Line 1b: Social Security Number or EIN

Enter the primary SSN or EIN associated with the return. For a joint return, this should be the SSN of the first-listed spouse. The IRS uses this number as the primary lookup key.

Line 2a/2b: Name and SSN/EIN if joint return (second person)

If the return was filed jointly, enter the second spouse's name and SSN here. Omitting this information on a joint return request can delay or invalidate the request.

Line 3: Current name and address

Provide the taxpayer's current mailing address. If the copy is being delivered to a third party (see Line 5), this is still required for identity verification purposes. Use a P.O. Box only if the IRS currently has that address on file.

Line 4: Previous address if different from Line 3

If the taxpayer's address at the time of filing differed from the current address, enter it here. This helps the IRS locate the original return in its records and is especially important for returns filed many years ago.

Line 5: Third-party delivery

If the copy should be sent directly to a lender, attorney, or other third party rather than to the taxpayer, enter that party's name and address here. Use this field carefully — once the IRS mails the copy, it cannot be recalled or redirected.

Line 6: Type of return

Indicate the form number of the return being requested (e.g., 1040, 1120, 1065). Each different return type requires a separate Form 4506 and a separate $43 fee. Do not list multiple return types on one form.

Line 7: Specific tax years or periods

Enter the tax year(s) for which copies are needed. Up to eight years can be listed on a single form, but the fee applies per return copy, not per form. Be precise — entering the wrong tax year is a frequent and costly error.

Line 8: Fee amount

Calculate the total fee at $43 per return copy requested and enter it here. Payment must accompany the form; personal checks, money orders, and cashier's checks payable to 'United States Treasury' are accepted. Credit card payment is not available for this form.

Line 9: Signature and date

The taxpayer (or authorized representative with a valid power of attorney) must sign and date the form. For joint returns, either spouse may sign. An unsigned Form 4506 will be rejected outright — there are no exceptions.

Filing Deadlines

Late Filing Penalty

$43 fee per return copy requested.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1
Confirm that an actual return copy is genuinely needed rather than a transcript. If the requesting party (lender, court, agency) will accept a 4506-T transcript, use that process instead — it is free and faster. Proceed with Form 4506 only when original-format documentation is required.
2
Verify the retention window. The IRS generally retains return copies for up to seven years. Identify the tax year(s) needed and confirm they fall within that window before incurring the fee. Contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 if you are unsure whether a specific return is still on file.
3
Download the current version of Form 4506 from the IRS website. Do not use a prior-year version — the form is revised periodically and older versions may be rejected.
4
Complete Lines 1 through 7 carefully, using the taxpayer's information exactly as it appeared on the original return. If requesting copies for multiple return types (e.g., a Form 1040 and a Form 1120-S), prepare a separate Form 4506 for each return type.
5
Determine whether the copy should be mailed to the taxpayer or directly to a third party. If a third party (such as a mortgage lender), complete Line 5 with that party's full name and address. Confirm this address with the recipient before submitting.
6
Calculate the correct fee on Line 8. Multiply $43 by the number of return copies requested (each tax year listed counts as one copy). Make the check or money order payable to 'United States Treasury' and write the taxpayer's SSN or EIN and '4506 request' in the memo line.
7
Obtain the taxpayer's signature on Line 9. For a joint return, ensure at least one spouse signs. If you are signing as a representative, attach a valid Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or other written authorization.
8
Mail the completed Form 4506 and payment to the appropriate IRS address listed in the form's instructions — the correct address depends on the taxpayer's state of residence. Do not fax Form 4506; payment must accompany a paper submission.
9
Document the submission date and anticipated 75-day processing window. Set a calendar reminder to follow up with the IRS if the copy has not arrived after 90 days. Retain a copy of the completed Form 4506 and the check for your records.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Form 4506 when Form 4506-T would suffice

Before submitting, confirm with the requesting party whether a transcript is acceptable. Transcripts are free, available online or by mail within days, and satisfy most lender and legal requirements. Reserve Form 4506 for situations where original signatures or attached schedules are specifically required.

Entering the wrong tax year or using calendar-year format for a fiscal-year filer

For individuals, enter the calendar year ended December 31. For fiscal-year entities, enter the exact period-ending date used on the original return. A mismatched year results in a failed search and no refund of the $43 fee.

Omitting the fee or making the check payable to the wrong payee

The check or money order must be made payable to 'United States Treasury' — not 'IRS' or 'Internal Revenue Service.' Any submission without correct payment will be returned unprocessed.

Sending the form to the wrong IRS address

The mailing address for Form 4506 depends on the taxpayer's state of residence and is listed in the current form instructions. Using an outdated or incorrect address adds weeks of delay. Always check the instructions on the current version of the form.

Failing to sign the form or using an unauthorized signature

An unsigned form is automatically rejected. For business returns, ensure the signer has authority for that entity type. If a third-party representative is signing, attach a current Form 2848 to document authorization.

Requesting copies of returns older than the IRS retention period

The IRS typically does not retain returns older than approximately seven years. Submitting a request and fee for a return outside this window will likely result in a 'no record found' response with no fee refund. Advise clients to maintain their own permanent records to avoid this situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Form 4506 requests an actual photocopy of a filed tax return, including all attachments and original signatures, and carries a $43 fee per copy with a processing time of roughly 75 days. Form 4506-T requests a transcript — an IRS-generated summary of return data — which is free and typically available within days. Most lenders and government agencies accept transcripts, so Form 4506 should only be used when an original-format copy is specifically required.

Related Forms

Form 4506-T

Request for Transcript of Tax Return

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