Copies of old returns

[drdino]

Hello all. How can I get copies of old tax returns for a client. He does not seem to have them. Just looking ahead if I need to secure them on my own.

I did pass the SEE but have not recieved my EA card as of yet so I cant use the TDS at the moment. Thanks.

[S T]

Copies

E services might be the first choice if you are signed up on E-services. I really like the E-Services, as it has assisted in obtaining a lot of information like wage/income reporting, etc, and current account transcripts, when the client does not seem to be able to produce.

Otherwise, form 4506 http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq1-6.html

Sandy

[drdino]

Thanks

As usual, Thank you. I love this board.

[erchess]

Directly?

E services might be the first choice if you are signed up on E-services. I really like the E-Services, as it has assisted in obtaining a lot of information like wage/income reporting, etc, and current account transcripts, when the client does not seem to be able to produce.

Otherwise, form 4506 http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq1-6.html

Sandy

Sandy do you access E services directly through your browser or do you have a special program? If you have a special program, what is its name and approximate cost and would you use E services without it if your only alternative was the paper form? I have been dissuaded from signing up for E services by the fact that there is a program to help you access it that costs more than it is worth to me to avoid doing my ordering on paper but I have assumed that since the program finds buyers E Services must be hard to use without it.

[S T]

Direct

I go direct to www.irs.gov and sign in. Fairly user friendly! (probably could still use some enhancements). I saw one program through probably NAEA, but it is for a fee and suppose to be easier and quicker to access info, but really, I only have had one issue which was resolved in a matter of days.

I know a lot of preparers have encountered issues with sign up and sign in. At original sign up there were some issues, but the E Service IRS support resolved those. Then I had a sign in problem about 2 months ago, and the IRS support team was on the phone with me on/off for 3 days troubleshooting. We finally found out what the issue was(it was an internet browser issue and some toggles). After that no issue with sign in or accessing my clients transcripts or filing power of attorney forms.

It has saved me days of waiting for information, and also making sure that what I have is the correct information, such as income reporting, estimated payments, resolving issues on 941 transcripts, etc, making sure payments were posted, etc.

Personally, my experience with E Services is rated about a 9 with 1 being low and 10 being high!

Sandy

[Lion]

Agree

I agree with Sandy. It's soooo fast. Sign up and use it. There's a telephone number to call for help. There are a couple of confusing items in the instructions. And, like learning anything new, it feels cumbersome to wade through the screens. But, you can file a POA or receive information instantly. The IRS has a phone seminar every so often in signing up and using e-services; well worth the hour to take it. And, I think there's a tutorial on the site. You'll get some tips, like when to click the add button or when you have to scroll down to see the whole screen.

[Gene V]

If you have a special program, what is its name and approximate cost.

Here is a link to a special program, the cost is $150.00 per year.

http://www.taxscripts.com/index.htm

[taxea]

Copies of old returns

I too use e-services via the IRS site. I sure don't understand paying for a product that you can get for free just by registering. What a rip-off...shame on them! taxea

[Jiggers]

Faster

I too use e-services via the IRS site. I sure don't understand paying for a product that you can get for free just by registering. What a rip-off...shame on them! taxea

Their program works faster than the IRS e-services in retrieving information.

[DaveO]

I have used eservices for several years.

Don't bother with the add on program unless you are looking to submit bulk requests and are not comfortable with the file formatting. I used to own a small mailing list company so the file formatting is old school stuff.

It takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic to access and print several sets of transcripts. Inputting the POA takes a while and may require information you don't have such as previous year AGI. If I'm not in a hurry I fax the POA to the central number and in 48 hours it's on eservices.

[taxea]

Copies of old returns

And if for any reason you can't get it through E-services you can call the pro hotline. They will fax info within 48hrs in most cases. Still don't see any reason to pay for something the IRS will provide for free! taxes