Form 4506 is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) request for a copy of a tax return you filed, including all attachments as originally submitted. You can also use it to have the return sent to a third party, such as a mortgage company, by completing line 5. On FillingPDF you can fill out Form 4506 online and download or print the completed PDF; the IRS receives it only by mail, at the address that matches the state on the return, as described below. The IRS publishes the form and its instructions at www.irs.gov/form4506.
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What is 4506?
Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form for requesting a copy of a filed tax return, with all attachments as originally submitted, or for designating a third party to receive that return.
The copy is the return itself: Form 1040, 1120, 941 or another return, with Form(s) W-2, schedules or amended returns as originally sent to the IRS. The form says copies of Forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ are generally available for 7 years from filing, and other returns may be available longer. Each Form 4506 covers one type of return; if you need more than one type, you must complete another Form 4506. Several years or quarters of the same return can be listed on line 7.
Form 4506 is not the only way to get tax information. The IRS notes that you can use Get Your Tax Record (Get Transcript) for a Tax Return Transcript, Tax Account Transcript, Record of Account Transcript, Wage and Income Transcript or Verification of Non-filing Letter, and the IRS page for the form says to use Get Transcript when you do not need an actual copy of your original return.
When the copies must be certified for court or administrative proceedings, you check the box under line 6. A fee applies for each return requested.
Who needs to file 4506?
A taxpayer who needs a copy of a filed return uses Form 4506. So does anyone who wants the return sent to a third party, such as a mortgage company, entered on line 5.
Who may sign depends on the taxpayer:
- Individuals: copies of jointly filed returns may be furnished to either spouse, and only one signature is required. Sign exactly as your name appeared on the original return, and also sign your current name if it changed.
- Corporations: generally an officer with legal authority to bind the corporation, a person designated by the board of directors or other governing body, or an officer or employee on written request by a principal officer attested by the secretary or another officer. A bona fide shareholder of record owning 1 percent or more of the outstanding stock may submit the form but must provide documentation supporting the right to receive the information.
- Partnerships: generally any person who was a member of the partnership during any part of the period on line 7.
- All others: see section 6103 if the taxpayer has died, is insolvent or is a dissolved corporation, or if a trustee, guardian, executor, receiver or administrator acts for the taxpayer. Heirs at law, next of kin and beneficiaries must be able to establish a material interest in the estate or trust.
A representative can sign only if the authority is specifically delegated on Form 2848, line 5a, and Form 2848 is attached.
When to file 4506
File Form 4506 when you need a copy of a return the IRS already has. The form sets no filing season, but it has two timing rules: the IRS must receive it within 120 days of the date the taxpayer signed, or it will be rejected, and copies of Forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ are generally available for 7 years from filing before they are destroyed by law. Other returns may be available for a longer period.
The form says it may take up to 75 calendar days for the IRS to process your request. If you only need tax information rather than a copy of the original return, the form's tip points to Get Your Tax Record (Get Transcript) online, or to 1-800-908-9946 for specialized assistance, as a faster route.
Documents you need
- Payment for each return requested: a check or money order payable to "United States Treasury," with your SSN, ITIN or EIN and "Form 4506 request" written on it. Full payment must be included or the request is rejected.
- Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, if a representative signs for the taxpayer; it must show the authority delegated on line 5a.
- For entities other than individuals: the authorization document, such as a letter from the principal officer authorizing an employee of the corporation or letters testamentary authorizing an individual to act for an estate.
- For a shareholder of record owning 1 percent or more of a corporation's outstanding stock: documentation supporting the right to receive the information.
- For an heir at law, next of kin or beneficiary: documentation establishing a material interest in the estate or trust.
- Form 8822, Change of Address, or Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business, if the addresses on lines 3 and 4 differ and you have not changed your address with the IRS.
How to fill out 4506
Enter the name on the return
Line 1a: the name shown on the tax return; if it was a joint return, enter the name shown first. Line 1b: the first SSN, ITIN or EIN on the return; use the EIN for a business, or your SSN when requesting a Form 1040 that includes Schedule C.
Add the spouse's details
Line 2a: for a joint return, the spouse's name shown on the return. Line 2b: the second SSN or ITIN on the joint return.
Enter your current address
Line 3: your current name and address, including apt., room, suite or inmate no., city, state and ZIP code. Include a P.O. box here; if you are incarcerated, include your inmate identification number, name and address.
Give the previous address
Line 4: the address shown on the last return filed, if it differs from line 3. If the addresses differ and you have not changed your address with the IRS, file Form 8822 or Form 8822-B with Form 4506.
Complete the third-party section
Line 5: only if the return is to be mailed to a third party such as a mortgage company, enter that party's name, address and telephone number. Complete lines 5 through 7 before signing.
Identify the return requested
Line 6: enter the return number, such as 1040, 1120 or 941; only one per form. Check the box under line 6 if the copies must be certified for court or administrative proceedings.
Enter the year or period
Line 7: enter the ending date of each tax year or period in mm/dd/yyyy format. For quarterly returns, enter each quarter requested.
Complete the fee lines
Line 8a: the cost for each return as printed on the form. Line 8b: the number of returns listed on line 7. Line 8c: multiply line 8a by line 8b.
Direct a refund if needed
Line 9: if the IRS cannot find the return, it refunds the fee. Check the box only if the refund should go to the third party listed on line 5.
Sign and date the form
Check the box attesting that you have read the attestation clause and have authority to sign. Sign, date and give the taxpayer's phone number; for a joint return at least one spouse signs, and entities add the printed name and title.
Review, download and assemble
Check that all applicable lines are complete and the signature is dated. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, attach your payment and any required authorization documents, and mail it as described under How to submit.
How to submit 4506
Form 4506 is submitted by mail: attach your payment and send the signed form to the IRS address that matches the state you lived in, or the state your business was in, when the return was filed.
- Individual returns (Form 1040 series): use the first chart in the instructions. The three addresses are Internal Revenue Service, RAIVS Team, Stop 6716 AUSC, Austin, TX 73301; Internal Revenue Service, RAIVS Team, Stop 6705 S-2, Kansas City, MO 64999; and Internal Revenue Service, RAIVS Team, P.O. Box 9941, Mail Stop 6734, Ogden, UT 84409.
- All other returns: use the second chart, which sends requests to Stop 6705 S-2, Kansas City, MO 64999, or to P.O. Box 9941, Mail Stop 6734, Ogden, UT 84409.
- More than one year: if the chart shows two different addresses for the years you request, send the request to the address for your most recent return.
- Payment: a fee applies for each return requested. Full payment must be included or the request will be rejected. Make the check or money order payable to "United States Treasury" and write your SSN, ITIN or EIN and "Form 4506 request" on it.
Do not send the form to the Washington, DC address printed on page 2; it is for comments only. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the mailing channel above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing before every applicable line, including lines 5 through 7, is complete; the form warns it may be rejected if incomplete or illegible.
- Leaving the box in the signature area unchecked. The form will not be processed and is returned if the box acknowledging authority to sign is unchecked.
- Letting the IRS receive the form more than 120 days after the signature date, which leads to rejection.
- Sending the request without full payment for each return requested; the IRS rejects it.
- Entering more than one return number on line 6. Enter only one; a different type of return needs another Form 4506.
- Writing the year on line 7 in the wrong format. Use mm/dd/yyyy, such as 12/31/2018 for a calendar year 2018 Form 1040 or 03/31/2017 for a first quarter Form 941.
- Mailing the form to the Washington, DC address on page 2 instead of the RAIVS Team address for the state on the return.
- Having a representative sign without Form 2848 attached showing the delegation on line 5a.
- Omitting the third party's name, address and telephone number on line 5 when the return is to be mailed to that party.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form 4506 used for?
Form 4506 requests a copy of a filed tax return, with all attachments as originally submitted, such as Form W-2 and schedules. You can also use line 5 to have the return sent to a third party, such as a mortgage company.
Can I fill out Form 4506 online?
You can fill out the Form 4506 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not send it to the IRS: you mail the signed form with payment to the RAIVS Team address that matches the state on the return.
Where do I mail Form 4506?
Mail it with payment to the IRS RAIVS Team address for the state you lived in, or your business was in, when the return was filed. The instructions have separate charts for Form 1040 series returns and all other returns, with addresses in Austin, Kansas City and Ogden.
How long does it take to get a copy of a tax return with Form 4506?
It may take up to 75 calendar days for the IRS to process your request, according to the form. The IRS must also receive the form within 120 days of the date the taxpayer signed it, or it will be rejected.
Is there a fee for Form 4506?
Yes. A fee applies for each return requested, and full payment must accompany the request or it is rejected. Pay by check or money order to "United States Treasury," with your SSN, ITIN or EIN and "Form 4506 request" on it. See line 8 for the current amount.
Who can sign Form 4506 for a joint return?
For a joint return, at least one spouse must sign; copies may be furnished to either spouse. Sign exactly as your name appeared on the original return, and also sign your current name if you changed it.
Can someone sign Form 4506 for me?
A representative can sign only if Form 2848, line 5a, specifically delegates that authority, and Form 2848 is attached. Corporate officers, partners, executors and others must certify authority, and entities must attach the authorization document.
What is the difference between Form 4506 and a tax transcript?
Form 4506 gets a copy of the return as originally filed. A transcript, available through Get Your Tax Record (Get Transcript), shows return or account data instead; the IRS suggests it when you do not need an actual copy of your original return.
How far back can I request a return with Form 4506?
Copies of Forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ are generally available for 7 years from filing before they are destroyed by law. Other returns may be available for a longer period. List each year or period on line 7.
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