I need to get copies of my W2 and Tax Returns, Help!

January 17, 2007 4:25 PM

We're applying for a home loan and suddenly need all those tax documents we probably should have held on to. What to do?

Specifically we need the last 3 years of W2s as well as Tax Returns. Can copies be requested from the IRS? Would I go to previous employers for them? What exactly are our options?

posted by genial to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Can copies be requested from the IRS

Yes. File form 4506
posted by toxic at 4:28 PM on January 17, 2007

For the W-2s, you go to your previous employers. Just call the HR department. I've had no trouble getting this sent to me, even after address changes.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 4:28 PM on January 17, 2007

Check whether tax transcripts will suffice. Tax transcripts are free and easy and quick to get. Photocopies of tax returns, less so.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:36 PM on January 17, 2007

I forgot to mention, that in most cases, a "Transcript" from the IRS (which is available by filing form 4506-T) is more than sufficient for mortgage purposes. It contains essentially all of the relevant data from your 1040, 1099s and W2s.

In fact, when I, as a self-employed person, refinanced my condo a few years back, the lender required a transcript, mailed to them directly from the IRS. The copies that I had weren't good enough, because there was no easy way to verify that they were copies of the actual return that I filed.
posted by toxic at 4:43 PM on January 17, 2007

You can go to the IRS office in person with ID and get a transcript of your tax history going back 7+ years. I've done that before as part of a mortgage application. Easy as cake.
posted by zek at 5:32 PM on January 17, 2007

zek FTW
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 8:09 AM on January 18, 2007