How to get a copy of a 6-year-old tax return from 2018? Need it for state audit ASAP

You can still get your 2018 tax information from the IRS, but you'll need to use a different method than the online transcript tool. The IRS provides several options for older returns: You can request a "Tax Account Transcript" by filing Form 4506-T, which is free and shows basic data like filing status, income, and tax payments. This might be enough to show your state tax withholding. The form can be mailed or faxed to the IRS. Alternatively, you can request an actual copy of your filed tax return using Form 4506, but this costs $43 per tax year and can take up to 75 days to process. Since you're being audited, you might qualify for a free copy - mention the audit in your request. The quickest option might be to call the IRS directly at 800-908-9946 to request a transcript. They can sometimes pull records older than what's available online.

I went through something similar last year when I needed tax docs from 2017. After hitting dead ends everywhere, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which helped me recover old tax information when nothing else worked. What's cool is you can upload any tax-related documents you still have (even partial ones), and their system uses AI to extract the critical information. In my case, I only had a partial bank statement showing some tax deposits, and they were able to help reconstruct enough information to satisfy my state tax board. The process was surprisingly fast - I uploaded what I had, answered a few questions about my employment history, and they generated a comprehensive report that showed all my tax activity from that year.

I tried taxr.ai after posting that skeptical comment, and I have to admit I was wrong. I found an old laptop with some PDF tax files from years ago that I thought were incomplete. The system was able to extract information I didn't even realize was there and compile it into a really comprehensive report. What impressed me most was how they mapped everything to the right tax forms and line items. The audit support feature gave me exactly what I needed to respond to questions about my 2019 return. The state tax board initially questioned some business expenses, but with the detailed report taxr.ai generated, I was able to show exactly how everything was calculated and reported. Definitely saved me from what could have been a costly and stressful situation. Worth checking out if you're in a similar position.

If you need immediate help reaching the IRS, I'd recommend Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year - needed old tax documents quickly for a mortgage application and couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS after trying for days. Claimyr basically holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you back when an agent is about to answer. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was super skeptical at first, but it got me connected to an IRS representative in about 45 minutes when I had previously been unable to get through at all. The agent was able to verify my identity over the phone and expedite my transcript request because I explained it was for an audit response.

I need to follow up on my skeptical comment about Claimyr. I actually tried it yesterday out of desperation after spending another 3 hours on hold with the IRS and getting disconnected again. I'm honestly shocked that it worked. I got a call back about an hour later, and suddenly I was talking to an actual IRS person! The agent was able to help me get copies of my 2018 and 2019 returns that I needed for a loan application. This would have literally taken me weeks of trying otherwise. The agent told me they're still working through a massive backlog and that wait times are expected to be bad through the summer. For anyone needing to actually talk to the IRS right now, this service is a game changer.

Another option is to contact the company you worked for in 2018. Their HR/payroll department should have records of your W-2 from that year. Even if they don't have the full tax return, having your W-2 would show your state withholding amounts, which seems to be what you need to disprove the state's claim. Most companies keep payroll records for 7-10 years (even though they're only required to keep them for 4), so there's a good chance they still have this information. Reaching out to them might be faster than waiting for the IRS.

Just FYI - I deal with state tax audits for a living, and you should know that the burden of proof is actually on THEM to show you didn't pay taxes, not on you to prove you did. Ask them what evidence they have that you paid $0 in state taxes that year. Also, double-check the statute of limitations in your state. Many states have a 3-year limitation on tax assessments unless they suspect fraud. A 2018 audit in 2025 is outside that window unless they're alleging fraud or non-filing.