How Are Your Income Tax Records Accessed?

Accessing your income tax records depends on how you filed your taxes. Depending on whether you filed online, through an accountant or self prepared, tax records can be to accessed in many ways. Income tax retention time depends on the individual state and the type of information that was in your Federal tax return. The general rule of thumb is to keep your returns for at least six years, unless insurance or financial advisors require a longer retention period.

Income Tax Records Online

If you processed your income taxes online than accessing them via the website you filed them with is a simple task. All that is needed is the original password used. These records are kept online for quite a few years and available for you to print or save once filed.

Income Tax Records Retention

State income tax records and Federal income tax records have different retention requirements. A good way to find out the requirements of different states is to check with the state tax commission or the IRS website. You should keep a hard copy or a disc with your tax records in your possession to avoid misplacement by other individuals.

If you filed your returns with a tax preparer, they should keep copies for you as well. If you cannot find any records, and need to reorder, you can contact the IRS and order your returns. There is a nominal fee charged for copies.

Accessing your income tax records should be an easy process. With proper record keeping and backup records, you will always have a copy at your fingertips.