{"id":39557,"date":"2024-09-05T04:47:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T09:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resource-center.hrblock.com\/?p=39557"},"modified":"2025-01-08T17:52:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T23:52:07","slug":"past-tax-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/irs\/forms\/past-tax-returns\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get copies of your past tax returns"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Filed and forgot it? Most people don\u2019t think about needing a previously filed tax return from a past year until they need it in dire straits. Whether you were audited or need it to obtain a special financial loan or government benefits, it\u2019s important to know how to get old tax returns, such as IRS Form 1040<\/a>. In fact, as some life changes occur in your life, you may need proof of income, knowing how to get copies of old tax returns or tax transcripts from old tax forms will come in handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two methods to get past return transcripts (a printout summary of the primary data on your tax return, including Adjusted Gross Income (AGI<\/a>), and one to get an actual copy of your return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for prior years’ transcripts, we\u2019ve got good news\u2014we can tell you how to get old tax returns directly from the IRS. Even better news, the IRS lets you obtain old tax information in a transcript free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you completed your taxes with H&R Block, you also have access to previous tax return copies for the past three years. Read on and we\u2019ll explain how to get copies of old tax returns with either method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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File with H&R Block to get your max refund<\/h3>
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File online<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
File with a tax pro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to get a tax transcripts\u2014from the IRS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Internal Revenue Service offers two ways for you to receive your tax information via transcript free of charge \u2013 online or by mail with it\u2019s Get Transcript<\/a> service. With either option, you\u2019ll need to supply personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), date of birth and your mailing address. If you\u2019re requesting access to the information online, you\u2019ll need to provide additional personal details when you register.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next step in how to get information from previous tax returns is to determine what type of transcript you need. You can choose from five different\u00a0types of IRS transcripts<\/a>\u2014some show more information than others. For example, the Tax Return Transcript provides the most line items, including your\u00a0adjusted gross income<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IRS doesn\u2019t charge a fee for transcripts. And, they come pretty quickly. (You can obtain one online immediately (or five to 10 business days, if it\u2019s sent through the mail).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: If you’re looking for the actual tax documents (not just the transcripts), you may be able to obtain them from the issuer (ex. your employer, bank, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get copies of old tax returns\u2014from H&R Block<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow can I get copies of old tax returns?\u201d is a common question we hear from our clients. Luckily, the process for retrieving these forms is simple. Whether you completed your taxes with us in an office or paid to do your taxes online, you can get return copies when you create or sign in to your MyBlock account<\/a>. You\u2019ll have access to your tax information at no cost to you. Go to the Taxes<\/strong> tab, then choose Prior Years<\/strong> from the navigation bar at the top of your screen. From there, you can view your return summaries or download and print individual returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you filed with H&R Block Free Online, you can pay a small fee and get access to your prior-year return. However, if you used our Free version to prep your taxes, you might have to pay to access old tax returns from your account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don’t see your return under Previous Taxes<\/strong>, it could be because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n