Who must sign the form?

The taxpayer whose return is requested must sign. An authorized representative may sign if supported by a valid power of attorney or third-party designee authorization on the form.

Is a notary required?

The IRS generally requires a handwritten signature but not a notary for Form 4506 itself. Certain third-party recipients or lenders may request notarization; check recipient requirements before submission.

Can I request electronically?

Some workflows allow electronic completion with secure signer authentication and audit trails. Ensure the electronic method preserves a reproducible record acceptable to the IRS and the receiving party.

How long does processing take?

Processing times vary with IRS workload; allow several weeks. If a time-sensitive deadline exists, submit the request well in advance and confirm expected delivery with the IRS.

What if I enter the wrong year?

If you request the wrong tax year, the IRS may return a partial response or ask for clarification. Submit a corrected request to obtain the intended documents.

Where should I keep copies?

Store the signed request, delivery confirmation, and the returned tax copy in encrypted records for at least three years; extend retention where audit or legal holds apply.

Tax Form 4506

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Tax Form 4506 — Request for Copy of Tax Return

Use this form to request a copy of a previously filed federal income tax return and attachments. A fee may apply for each tax period requested. Complete all applicable sections and sign the certification below.

Taxpayer Information

Taxpayer Name:

Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number:

Current Mailing Address

Daytime Telephone Number: Email (optional):

Return(s) Requested

Type of return requested (e.g., Form 1040, Form 1120, Form 1065):

Tax Period(s) Requested

Do you request all attachments (including Forms W-2, schedules, and statements) associated with the return? Yes

Mailing or Pickup Instructions

Mail copies to name or organization (if different from taxpayer):

Mailing Address for Copies

Is the requester the taxpayer? Yes No — Requester is an authorized representative

If requester is not the taxpayer, state capacity (e.g., attorney, agent, executor)

Fee, Payment and Certification

Fee enclosed (if required):

I certify that I am the taxpayer whose name appears on this form or an authorized representative. I request copies of the specified tax return(s) and attachments. I understand that a fee may be charged for each tax period requested and that these copies will be mailed to the address provided. I further certify, under penalties of perjury, that the information on this form is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Authorization and Signature

If signed by a corporate officer, fiduciary, guardian, executor, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other authorized representative, indicate title and provide documentation establishing authority.

Taxpayer Printed Name:

Taxpayer Signature:

Date:

Daytime Telephone Number:

If applicable — Title of signer (officer, fiduciary, etc.):

What Tax Form 4506 Is and when it’s used

Tax Form 4506 is the IRS form used to request an actual copy of a previously filed individual or business income tax return, including all attachments and schedules. Lenders, tax professionals, and taxpayers commonly use Form 4506 to obtain validated proof of filing, transcripts or full return copies for loan underwriting, tax audits, or recordkeeping. Form 4506 differs from Form 4506-T (transcript request) because 4506 requests the taxpayer’s complete return copy, which may be subject to a processing fee and longer IRS handling time.

Why you might need a completed Form 4506

A completed Form 4506 provides an official IRS copy of a filed return when proof of income, filing history, or original schedules is required by third parties or for audit defense.

Common users and situations for Form 4506

Typical requesters range from individuals to institutions; permissions and consent determine who may request a copy.

Individual taxpayers requesting their own copy for audits, loan closings, or personal records.
Mortgage lenders and underwriters verifying historical tax returns during loan approval.
Authorized representatives, such as CPAs or attorneys, with taxpayer-signed authorization.

Ensure the requester has the taxpayer’s signed authorization and that the form lists precise tax years or returns to avoid processing delays.

Step-by-step: Completing Form 4506

Follow these steps to complete Form 4506 accurately and reduce processing delays.

01

Identify return: Specify form type and tax year(s) clearly.
02

Provide TIN: Enter the taxpayer identification number exactly.
03

Sign and date: Taxpayer signature required; include date of signature.
04

Submit: Send to the IRS address or fax number printed on the form.

How to configure an online 4506 workflow

When building a digital workflow, set fields and authentication to mirror IRS requirements and preserve an audit trail.

Platform selection	Use PDF-capable systems that preserve original layout.
Authentication method	Use email plus SMS or identity verification for third parties.
Upload format	Upload a flattened, high-resolution PDF to avoid form element shifts.
Field placement	Anchor signature and date fields to fixed coordinates.
Document storage	Retain signed copies in encrypted storage with an audit trail.

Typical submission and routing for a completed Form 4506

Routing depends on the requester and destination; ensure the correct IRS address or recipient is selected before sending.

IRS processing: Send to the IRS address or fax number listed on the form.
Third-party recipient: If authorizing delivery, list the recipient and include taxpayer authorization.
Lender submission: Provide signed copy to lenders as part of underwriting packet.
Record retention: Keep the signed request and delivery confirmation for your files.

Digital signing and eSubmission considerations

Use platforms that capture signer intent, verify identity, and create a tamper-evident audit trail for Form 4506.

Authentication: Email + SMS or stronger verification preserves attribution.
Audit trail: Capture IP, timestamp, and signer actions for evidentiary support.
Integrations: Use integrations with storage and CRM systems for secure routing.

Ensure the chosen solution supports export to PDF/A, encrypted storage, and maintains the original form layout for IRS acceptance.

Timing and processing expectations for Form 4506 requests

Form 4506 has no statutory filing deadline, but timing matters for loan closings and audits; allow sufficient processing time when planning.

No statutory deadline:

Requests can be submitted whenever a copy is needed.

Allow processing time:

Plan for several weeks; IRS volumes affect turnaround.

Third-party deadlines:

Meet lender or legal deadlines by submitting early.

Extensions:

There is no extension process — submit in time to meet needs.

Follow-up:

Track delivery confirmations and IRS responses carefully.

Common mistakes that delay or invalidate a Form 4506

Incomplete or missing taxpayer signature leads to immediate rejection and requires a new signed submission.
Incorrect TIN or mismatched name prevents verification and causes IRS requests for clarification.
Vague tax years or date ranges result in partial fulfillment or additional IRS contact for specifics.
Authorizing a third party without proper designee info prevents delivery to lenders or representatives.

Risks and consequences of incorrect or fraudulent requests

Rejection: Form returned if required fields are missing.

Processing delay: Inaccuracies add weeks to fulfillment time.

Privacy exposure: Improper sharing risks unauthorized disclosure.

Fraud penalties: Fraudulent requests may trigger civil or criminal referral.

Third-party denial: Lenders may deny if authorization is incomplete.

Recordkeeping failure: Loss of evidence for disputes or audits.

Essential data elements required on Form 4506

Taxpayer name: As on the filed return

Taxpayer ID: SSN or EIN

Tax years: Specific years requested

Return type: Form number requested

Signature: Taxpayer signature and date

Third party info: Name and phone if designee used

Core components to include on a professional Form 4506

A complete Form 4506 contains identification, return details, authorization, and clear delivery instructions so the IRS can locate and release the requested copy.

Identification

Full legal name and taxpayer ID as shown on the original return to ensure correct retrieval.

Return description

Specify the exact tax form and attachments being requested to prevent partial fulfillment.

Tax years

List each calendar year or tax period explicitly to match IRS records and speed processing.

Signature block

Original taxpayer signature and date; agent authorization when applicable must match form instructions.

Delivery instructions

Indicate whether copies should be mailed to a third party and include that recipient’s details.

Documentation

Attach any required identification or power of attorney documents when a representative files on behalf of the taxpayer.

Comparing eSignature providers for handling Form 4506 workflows

Vendor pricing and feature availability vary; below is a concise comparison of common eSignature capabilities and starting prices. signNow is listed first per platform comparison convention.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Use cases: how organizations request Form 4506

Real-world examples illustrate why accurate completion and secure handling are essential.

Mortgage Underwriting

A loan officer requests a signed copy to verify income

The borrower signs and authorizes release to the lender
The lender retains the IRS copy and delivery receipt to satisfy audit and compliance checks during closing, ensuring the file includes the original request and proof of delivery.

Tax Audit Response

A taxpayer orders a certified copy to respond to an IRS inquiry

Their CPA files Form 4506 with proper authorization
The taxpayer uses the certified return and attachments to support positions during audit, reducing reliance on reconstructed records.

Frequently asked questions about Tax Form 4506

Answers to common questions about completing, submitting, and tracking a Form 4506 request.

Need help? Contact support

Who must sign the form?
The taxpayer whose return is requested must sign. An authorized representative may sign if supported by a valid power of attorney or third-party designee authorization on the form.
Is a notary required?
The IRS generally requires a handwritten signature but not a notary for Form 4506 itself. Certain third-party recipients or lenders may request notarization; check recipient requirements before submission.
Can I request electronically?
Some workflows allow electronic completion with secure signer authentication and audit trails. Ensure the electronic method preserves a reproducible record acceptable to the IRS and the receiving party.
How long does processing take?
Processing times vary with IRS workload; allow several weeks. If a time-sensitive deadline exists, submit the request well in advance and confirm expected delivery with the IRS.
What if I enter the wrong year?
If you request the wrong tax year, the IRS may return a partial response or ask for clarification. Submit a corrected request to obtain the intended documents.
Where should I keep copies?
Store the signed request, delivery confirmation, and the returned tax copy in encrypted records for at least three years; extend retention where audit or legal holds apply.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now