How to obtain a copy of my 6-year-old tax return from 2019?

Thank you so much for these options! Do you know how long it typically takes to get a transcript if I call that 800 number? The 75 days for the actual return would be way past my deadline. Also, would my W-2 from that year be enough to prove I paid state taxes, or do they need to see the actual filed return?

Phone requests for transcripts usually take about 5-10 business days to arrive by mail, so that's definitely your fastest option. The IRS doesn't email transcripts for security reasons. Your W-2 would be very helpful as it shows exactly what was withheld for state taxes. While it might not answer all questions in the audit (like if they're questioning deductions), it directly addresses their claim that you paid zero state taxes. I'd definitely include the W-2 along with your transcript when responding. Your employer's HR department or payroll provider should be able to provide a copy if you no longer have it.

How accurate was their reconstruction really? I'm worried about submitting something to the state that might not match what was actually filed. Did you end up using their document with the state or did you wait for the official IRS transcript?

Does it work if your tax situation was more complicated? I had rental income and some 1099 work back in 2019, and I'm worried no system could accurately recreate all that without the original documents.

The reconstruction was surprisingly accurate. When I compared it to the IRS transcript, the main numbers were identical. I actually submitted both to the state - the taxr.ai reconstruction first to meet my deadline, then followed up with the official transcript when it arrived. The state accepted the reconstruction because it had all the right information organized in a familiar format. For complicated tax situations, their system actually seems designed for that. They can process bank statements, 1099s, and other documents to reconstruct even complex returns. The AI is pretty impressive at matching transactions to tax categories, though you do review everything before it's finalized. They also have tax pros who can help with complex situations if the AI needs assistance.

So how exactly does this service work? Do they somehow jump the queue or do they just wait on hold for you? I'm confused about how they get you through when the IRS phone lines are always jammed.

Sounds sketchy to me. Why would I trust some random service with my personal tax information? And how do they magically get through when nobody else can? The IRS phone lines have been a disaster for years. I'll believe it when I see actual proof this works.

They don't jump the queue - they use an automated system to navigate the phone menus and wait on hold for you. When they're about to connect with an agent, they call your phone and connect you. It's basically like having someone else wait in line for you. You only share your phone number with them, not any tax info. I was skeptical too, but when I tried it myself, I got connected to an IRS agent in about 23 minutes instead of spending hours trying and failing to get through. The IRS doesn't know or care how you got connected - once you're talking to an agent, it's a direct conversation between you and the IRS. I've used it twice now and both times it worked exactly as advertised. No magic, just a smart solution to a frustrating problem.

That's a really good idea! I do remember paying online through my bank for some quarterly estimated payments too. Would showing the bank statements be enough though? I'm worried they'll say I need the actual tax forms.

Bank statements are considered strong supporting evidence, especially for proving payments were made. While they may not replace the actual return completely, they directly contradict the claim that you paid zero taxes. Include a brief letter explaining your situation and that you're providing the best documentation available to you. Most state auditors are reasonable when presented with clear evidence of compliance. The key is showing you're making an honest effort to resolve the issue. If possible, combine these bank statements with your W-2 from that year and any IRS transcript you can obtain. Together, these paint a clear picture of your tax situation.

I had to deal with this exact situation. What worked for me was getting wage transcripts from the IRS (shows all your income reported on W-2s and 1099s), bank statements showing tax payments, and any other financial records from that year. Put it all together with a letter explaining the situation. In my case, the state tax auditor was actually pretty understanding once I showed I had legitimate documentation, even if it wasn't the exact original return. The key was being proactive and not ignoring their requests.