Form 4506 requests an exact photocopy of a tax return you already filed — the full document, not a summary. It carries a fee per return and can take a couple of months. Most people who reach for it actually need the free, faster transcript instead. Use Form 4506 only when something specifically requires a true copy of the return as filed.
What Form 4506 Is
Form 4506, "Request for Copy of Tax Return," asks the IRS to send a complete photocopy of a return you previously filed, including the forms and schedules attached to it. Because it's the real document rather than an extract, it costs a fee and takes longer to arrive than the alternatives.
Form 4506 vs 4506-T: Copy or Transcript?
These two are constantly confused because the numbers are almost identical. The difference decides which one you should actually file:
| Form 4506 | Form 4506-T | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Exact photocopy of the filed return | A transcript (extract of key line items) |
| Cost | A fee per return | Free |
| Turnaround | Up to ~75 days | Days to a couple of weeks |
| Use it when | You need the actual return as filed | A lender, school, or agency just needs income data |
If a mortgage lender, financial-aid office, or immigration sponsor asks for your "tax return," they almost always accept — and often prefer — a transcript. In that case, the free Form 4506-T is the right form, and Form 4506 is an unnecessary fee and wait.
How to Fill Form 4506
- Lines 1–4 — Your identity. Name and SSN (or EIN) exactly as they appeared on the return you're requesting, plus current and prior address.
- Line 5 — Third-party recipient. If the copy should go directly to someone else (a lender, an attorney), enter their name and address; otherwise it comes to you.
- Lines 6–7 — Form and years. The tax form number (e.g. 1040) and each year or period you want, in the format the form specifies.
- Fee and signature. Include the required fee per return and sign. The signature has a limited validity window, so don't sign it far ahead of mailing.
How much does Form 4506 cost?
The IRS charges a fee for each return copy requested — check the current amount on irs.gov, as it's set by the IRS and can change. There's no charge at all for a transcript on Form 4506-T, which is why the transcript is the default choice unless you specifically need the full copy.
When do I actually need a full copy instead of a transcript?
When something requires the return exactly as filed — for example, certain legal proceedings, an amended-return dispute, or a request that explicitly says "a copy of the return, not a transcript." For everyday income verification, the transcript is enough and saves both the fee and the wait.