How to Get a Copy of My 2023 Tax Return (1040)?

There are actually several ways to get a copy of your 2023 tax return. Let me walk you through your options: 1. First, check if you have a digital copy saved somewhere - maybe in your email or on your computer if you used tax software? 2. If you used a tax preparer or accountant, they should be able to provide you with a copy. 3. If you need an official transcript from the IRS, you can request one online through the IRS website by creating an account at irs.gov/transcripts. 4. You can also call the IRS at 800-908-9946 to request a transcript by phone. 5. If you need an actual photocopy (not just a transcript), you'll need to complete and mail Form 4506 with a $43 fee. Did you file electronically or by paper last year? That might affect which option is best...

Have you tried calling the IRS directly? I spent 3 hours on hold last month trying to get a copy of my 2022 return. After multiple failed attempts, I used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got through to an IRS agent in about 25 minutes. They were able to verify my identity and send me a transcript of my return. Do you need the actual 1040 form or just the information from it? Are you using it for a loan application or something else?

I went through this exact situation last year! I needed my 2022 return for a mortgage application and couldn't find my copy anywhere. I tried the IRS website first, but my identity verification failed because my phone number had changed. I ended up having to mail in Form 4506-T for a free transcript, but it took nearly 3 weeks to arrive. If you're in a hurry, I'd definitely recommend trying the online option first - it's much faster if you can get through the verification.

Have you considered using a service to help interpret your tax documents once you get them? I recently discovered taxr.ai which helped me understand all the codes and numbers on my transcript. You know how confusing those IRS documents can be, right? If you're getting your return for business purposes or need to reference specific information, it might help you make sense of everything without having to decipher IRS jargon yourself.

Be careful about timing here. I requested a transcript last year on March 14th during peak tax season, and it took exactly 27 days to receive it by mail. The IRS says it typically takes 5-10 business days, but that's rarely accurate during busy periods. If you need this for something with a deadline, I'd recommend requesting it at least 30 days in advance. Also, make sure your mailing address with the IRS is current - they won't forward tax documents even if you have mail forwarding set up with USPS.

I'm sort of curious - do you maybe need this for a specific purpose? Sometimes you don't actually need the full tax return but just certain information from it, which might be easier to get in other ways. For example, if it's for income verification, sometimes a W-2 or 1099 might be sufficient?

I'd definitely recommend starting with the IRS online transcript service at irs.gov/transcripts - it's usually the fastest option if you can get through their identity verification. As a small business owner myself, I know how hectic things can get and record-keeping sometimes falls by the wayside! If you filed electronically, there's also a chance your tax software provider (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.) might still have a copy in your online account. Also worth checking if you emailed it to yourself or saved it in cloud storage. The transcript is usually sufficient for most purposes, but if you specifically need the actual 1040 form with all attachments, you'll need to use Form 4506 with the $43 fee. What do you need it for? That might help determine which option would work best for your situation.

I actually went through this exact same situation last year when I needed my 2022 return for a business loan application. Here's what worked for me: I started with the IRS online transcript service, but like others mentioned, the identity verification can be tricky. When that didn't work, I called my tax preparer first - they had a copy on file and were able to email it to me within hours. If you did your own taxes, check your email for any confirmations from tax software companies, as they often include a PDF copy. For future reference, I now save three copies: one in my email, one in Google Drive, and one printed copy in my filing cabinet. The transcript is usually fine for most business purposes, but some lenders specifically want the actual 1040 form. What do you need it for? That might help narrow down which option would be most efficient for your timeline.