How to locate an old tax return I submitted to the IRS? Need it for identity verification

Having access to your old tax returns is definitely important, especially in situations like yours! There are actually several ways you can get copies of previously filed tax returns. The fastest option is to request a tax transcript from the IRS. Transcripts are free and show most line items from your original tax return. You can request them online at IRS.gov using the "Get Transcript" tool. However, this requires you to already have an account, which might not work if you're trying to verify your identity in the first place. Another option is to call the IRS directly at 800-908-9946 to request a transcript by mail. Or you could complete and mail Form 4506-T to request a transcript. If you need the actual return rather than a transcript, you'll need to complete Form 4506 and pay a $43 fee per tax return. These typically take about 75 days to process. Have you tried contacting the tax preparer you used previously? If you used a service like TurboTax, H&R Block, or another preparation software, you might be able to log into your account and access your previous returns.

I went through something similar last year and discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which was seriously a lifesaver! I needed previous tax info to verify my identity for an IRS payment plan and was totally stuck. The service helped me access my tax transcript data quickly without having to wait for the IRS to mail anything. It basically helps analyze your tax situation and can assist with retrieving your tax history. The interface is super straightforward, and it saved me from having to drive to my mom's house 3 states away to look for paperwork. They specialize in helping with IRS document and transcript access issues just like what you're facing.

Just wanted to update everyone - I took the advice about taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and I'm honestly shocked at how well it worked! I was super skeptical at first because I thought I'd need to verify my identity first (which was my original problem). But they had this alternative verification pathway that didn't require my old returns. The system helped me retrieve my transcript data and guided me through the exact info I needed for the extension verification. I was able to file my extension yesterday and got confirmation this morning. They even showed me how to set up proper access to my IRS account for the future so I don't run into this problem again. For anyone else stuck in the identity verification loop, definitely worth checking out.

If you need to speak with an actual human at the IRS (which might be your best bet in this situation), I'd recommend Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I spent DAYS trying to get through the IRS phone system last tax season until someone told me about this service. They basically hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you when an agent is about to answer. Saved me literally hours of hold time. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Since you're in a time crunch with the extension deadline, talking directly with an IRS agent might be the fastest way to sort this out. They can verify your identity over the phone and help process your extension even without the old return information.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I also needed to reach the IRS about a notice I received. Holy crap, it actually works exactly as advertised. I got connected to an IRS agent in about 45 minutes (while going about my day instead of being stuck on hold), and they helped me verify my identity over the phone. The agent was able to see my previous filing history and helped me with the verification process. For the original poster - the IRS agent told me they can also process extension requests over the phone if you're having trouble with the online system. Might be worth trying this route since you're on a deadline.

Another option nobody mentioned - if you used a tax preparer like H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, or a private accountant, they keep copies of returns they've prepared for several years. I completely forgot where I put my 2019 return but was able to get a copy from my tax guy with just a quick phone call. Also, if you filed electronically using ANY tax software (even through a friend's account), you might be able to recover that information by contacting their customer support with your personal details.

Just FYI for anyone else in this situation - if you're filing an extension, you don't actually NEED to use the online system. You can mail in Form 4868 or even have your tax preparer e-file the extension for you. Don't stress if you can't access the online system!

I'm glad to see you got some good solutions here! Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble with identity verification, you can also try calling the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center at 844-545-5640. They have specific protocols for helping people who can't access their online accounts due to identity verification issues. Another quick tip - if you remember roughly what year you filed (even if you're not 100% sure), you can try different years when the system asks for previous return information. Sometimes people forget they filed a simple return years ago, maybe when they were a student or had a part-time job. Also, don't forget that you might have received IRS correspondence in the mail over the years that could help jog your memory about when you last filed. Check any old mail or documents you might have kept - sometimes there are clues there about your tax filing history.