How to get a certified copy of tax return for deceased family member - Not a transcript

I've helped several clients get certified copies of tax returns for estate purposes. You'll need to complete Form 4506, "Request for Copy of Tax Return" (not Form 4506-T which is for transcripts). Make sure to check the box for "certified" copies. You'll also need to submit Form 56 "Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship" to establish yourself as the executor/personal representative. Include a copy of the death certificate and your letters testamentary or court appointment as executor. The fee is $43 per tax return year requested, and processing can take up to 75 days, so plan accordingly. Mail everything to the appropriate IRS address listed on the Form 4506 instructions - it varies by state. I recommend sending it via certified mail so you can track it.

After my mom died, I was in the same situation and getting nowhere with the IRS phone lines. I finally tried https://taxr.ai and it was a game-changer. I uploaded the death certificate and letters testamentary, and they walked me through the entire Form 4506 process. They explained exactly which boxes to check for certified copies vs transcripts and helped me avoid mistakes that would have caused delays. They even have specialists who understand the unique requirements for deceased taxpayer situations and helped me navigate the fiduciary relationship documentation. Saved me so much frustration!

Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here, and it was super helpful! The system confirmed I needed Form 4506 (not 4506-T) and walked me through all the special considerations for deceased taxpayers. It analyzed my father's situation and gave me personalized instructions for completing both forms, including which boxes needed to be checked for the certified copy. It even generated a checklist of all documents I needed to include with my submission. Definitely made me feel more confident that I was doing everything correctly instead of just guessing.

When my husband passed, I spent WEEKS trying to get through to the IRS for help with this exact issue. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Someone told me about https://claimyr.com and their service that gets you to the front of the IRS phone line. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was connected to an actual IRS representative in about 15 minutes who walked me through the entire process for getting certified returns for my deceased husband. They confirmed exactly what I needed to send in and where. Saved me so much time and stress during an already difficult period.

I'm actually embarrassed to admit this, but I need to follow up on my skeptical comment. After waiting on hold with the IRS for 3+ hours and getting disconnected twice, I broke down and tried Claimyr out of desperation. Holy crap, it actually works! I got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes who confirmed everything I needed for my brother's estate. They explained that for certified copies I absolutely needed Form 4506 (not the transcript form), and clarified exactly which documentation I needed to prove my executor status. The agent even gave me a direct reference number for the case. Sometimes it's worth admitting when you're wrong. This service saved me days of frustration.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - make sure you're getting the right tax year! I made the mistake of only requesting the most recent year when settling my aunt's estate, but it turned out we needed the past 3 years for some complicated property matters. Had to go through the whole process again. Also double check the address you're sending the forms to. The IRS processes these requests at different centers depending on which state the deceased person lived in. Using the wrong address can add weeks of delay as they forward everything internally.

Has anyone had success getting these certified copies faster than the 75-day timeframe? My uncle passed suddenly and we have some time-sensitive matters with his business that require the certified returns.

I went through this same process when my mother passed away two years ago. One thing I'd add to all the excellent advice here is to make sure you request certified copies of ALL relevant forms, not just the main 1040. For estate purposes, you might also need certified copies of any schedules that were filed with the return (like Schedule D for capital gains, Schedule E for rental income, etc.). The attorney handling probate should be able to tell you exactly which forms you need, but it's worth asking specifically since the $43 fee covers the entire return package for that year. Also, keep detailed records of everything you send to the IRS - I made copies of all forms, kept certified mail receipts, and created a timeline. When there were questions later during probate, having that paper trail was invaluable.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Liv. Having been through this process myself when my father passed, I completely understand the confusion about getting certified copies versus transcripts - the IRS phone system definitely doesn't make it clear! Everyone here has given excellent advice, but I wanted to add one more tip that saved me a lot of hassle: when you complete Form 4506, pay very close attention to the address section. You need to use your father's last known address on file with the IRS, not your current address as the executor. I initially put my own address and it caused a delay because the IRS couldn't match the request to the taxpayer's records. Also, if your father had a tax preparer, it might be worth reaching out to them first. Sometimes they keep copies of the actual returns (not just worksheets) and while they wouldn't be IRS-certified, having a copy to reference can help ensure you're requesting the right tax year and can spot any potential issues before you submit your Form 4506. The 75-day wait is frustrating when you're trying to settle an estate, but most of the advice here about visiting a Taxpayer Assistance Center or making sure all your paperwork is perfect upfront can help avoid additional delays. Hang in there - you're doing everything right by getting this information now rather than waiting.

I'm sorry for your loss, Liv. I went through this exact situation when my grandmother passed last year, and the distinction between certified copies and transcripts was confusing for me too. One additional point that might help - when you submit Form 4506, make sure you clearly indicate on the form that this is for a deceased taxpayer. There's a specific section for this, and it helps the IRS route your request to the right department. I initially missed this detail and it added about 2 weeks to my processing time. Also, if you're working with multiple attorneys or financial institutions for the estate, ask them upfront how many certified copies they'll each need. Some banks wanted their own copy, the probate court needed one, and the attorney kept one for their files. It's much more efficient (and only slightly more expensive) to request multiple copies of the same year in one request rather than having to go through the process multiple times. The process is definitely frustrating when you're already dealing with so much, but all the advice here is spot-on. The forms, fees, and waiting period are unavoidable, but getting everything right the first time will save you months of additional delays.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Liv. I went through this exact same situation when my dad passed away earlier this year, and I remember feeling completely lost trying to navigate the IRS requirements for estate purposes. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple tracking system for the entire process. I made a spreadsheet with columns for: date submitted, reference numbers, expected processing date, and status updates. This helped me stay organized and gave me peace of mind knowing exactly where things stood. Also, when you're preparing your submission package, I'd recommend making photocopies of absolutely everything before you mail it - the completed forms, your check, death certificate, letters testamentary, everything. I sent my original package via certified mail but kept detailed copies so if anything got lost, I wouldn't have to start completely from scratch. The waiting period is definitely the hardest part, especially when you're trying to settle everything efficiently. But based on my experience and everything others have shared here, getting all the paperwork perfect upfront is really worth the extra time investment. You've got this!