Can someone tell me how to download my actual tax return from the IRS website? Not just the transcript!

The IRS doesn't actually store copies of your complete tax return with all the supporting schedules in a format you can download directly from their website. What they have are tax "transcripts" which contain the key information from your return. There are four types of transcripts available: Tax Return Transcript (shows most line items including AGI), Tax Account Transcript (basic data like filing status, income, and payment types), Record of Account Transcript (combines the previous two), and Wage & Income Transcript (shows income reported to IRS by others, like W-2s and 1099s). For your mortgage application, lenders typically accept a Tax Return Transcript or Record of Account Transcript. Have you tried specifically asking your mortgage lender which transcript type they need? Sometimes they say "complete return" but really just need the Return Transcript.

I went through the exact same frustration last month trying to get my full return for a business loan application! After hours of searching, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which helped me solve this problem. It's a tax document retrieval tool that can pull your full tax returns with all schedules, not just the basic transcripts from the IRS portal. I was initially super skeptical because the IRS website is so limited, but they have some kind of authorized access system that can retrieve your actual filed returns. They also helped me figure out which specific documents my lender needed since there was confusion about "full returns" versus "transcripts" in my case too.

Ok I want to follow up about taxr.ai since I was skeptical in my comment yesterday. I decided to try it despite my concerns because I was desperate to get my complete returns for a small business loan application. I'm honestly surprised to say it actually worked! I was able to get PDFs of my complete returns from the last three years including all schedules and worksheets. The process was surprisingly quick - like 15 minutes quick - and they delivered exactly what I needed. My loan officer already confirmed the documents are what he needed, so crisis averted! If you're still struggling with this issue, it's definitely worth checking out. Wish I'd known about this service months ago instead of dealing with the endless IRS phone tree.

If your main issue is getting through to the IRS to resolve this, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). After trying for WEEKS to reach an IRS representative about a similar issue with accessing my full return, I was ready to pull my hair out. Their automated system kept disconnecting me, and when I did get through, the wait times were insane. Claimyr basically waits on hold with the IRS for you and then calls you when an actual human picks up. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was connected to an IRS agent in about 30 minutes when I had been trying unsuccessfully for days on my own. The agent was able to tell me exactly what I needed to do to get my full return (which involved submitting Form 4506 as someone mentioned).

I hate to admit when I'm wrong but I have to update my previous comment. After another FOUR HOURS today trying to reach the IRS and getting disconnected twice, I broke down and tried Claimyr. Damn it actually works. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 45 minutes without having to sit by my phone the whole time. The agent confirmed what others have said - you need to file Form 4506 with a fee to get your actual complete return, or you can use the transcript service for free but it doesn't include all the forms and schedules. For my situation I ended up just getting the transcript since that's all I needed, but at least I know my options now. If you're in a time crunch, the service is definitely worth considering.

Have you checked if you saved a PDF copy of your return when you filed through HR Block? Most tax software gives you the option to save or download a copy of your complete return after filing. Check your downloads folder or wherever you save important documents. I always save a copy of my returns locally AND in cloud storage so I never have to deal with retrieving them later.

Just a quick tip - if you're planning to use Form 4506 to request your complete return from the IRS, be aware that it can take a LONG time to process. My request took almost 11 weeks last year! If you need this for a mortgage that's closing soon, you might want to discuss alternatives with your lender.

I'm a tax preparer and see this confusion all the time! Just to clarify what others have mentioned - the IRS website only provides transcripts, not your actual filed return with all the forms and schedules. However, there's one more option that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you filed electronically, your tax software provider is actually required to retain copies of your returns for at least 3 years. Since TurboTax isn't showing your return, try calling their technical support line (not customer service) and specifically ask them to help you access your "archived return" or "prior year documents." Sometimes returns get moved to a different section of your account after the filing season ends. You might also try logging in with a different browser or clearing your cache. If that doesn't work, the Form 4506 route is your best bet for getting the complete return from the IRS, but as others noted, it takes time and costs $43. For urgent situations like mortgage applications, definitely push back with your lender about accepting the Tax Return Transcript - most will accept it once they understand the IRS limitations.