Copies or transcripts of filed and processed tax returns can help you begin to reconstruct tax records destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. 

To request a copy of your tax returns:

• Complete Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return (PDF 66KB, 2 pages)

1. Complete the form online and print it.
   
   
2. Write the words “Hurricane Katrina” in red at the top of the form.
   
   
3. Mail the Form 4506 to the IRS address listed on the form for your area.
   
   

• Copies of Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ are generally available for 7 years from the filing date. Other returns may be available for a longer period of time.

To request transcripts of your tax returns:

• Complete Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return (PDF 62KB, 2 pages) 

1. Complete the form online and print it.
   
   
2. Write the words “Hurricane Katrina” in red at the top of the form.
   
   
3. Mail the Form 4506-T to the IRS address listed on the form for your area.
   

• Use Form 4506-T to order a transcript or other return information, which includes a:
  
  
  • Return Transcript, includes most of the line items of a tax return as filed with the IRS. Transcripts are only available for the following returns: Form 1040 series, Form 1065, Form 1120, Form 1120A, Form 1120H, Form 1120L, and Form 1120S.
  • Account Transcript, contains information on the financial status of the account, such as payments made on the account, penalty assessments, and adjustments made by you or the IRS after the return was filed. Return information is limited to items such as tax liability and estimated tax payments. Account transcripts are available for most returns.
  • Record of Account, is a combination of line item information and later adjustments to the account. Available for the current year and three prior tax years.
  • Form W-2, Form 1099 series, Form 1098 series, or Form 5498 series transcript. The IRS can provide a transcript that includes data from these information returns. State or local information is not included with the Form W-2 information. The IRS may be able to provide this transcript information for up to 10 years. Information for the current year is generally not available until the year after it is filed with the IRS. For example, W-2 information for 2003, filed in 2004, will not be available from the IRS until 2005.