21 Dec I need copies of old tax returns. How can I get them?

Q. I’m 82, my brother is 86. We own our home jointly. Since we are not married we have to file the paper form for the ANCHOR benefit. I filed mine, but my brother can’t find his 2019 tax return for the income figure needed. How can we get it?
— Brother

A. Getting past tax records is relatively simple.

But the process is different for your federal and state tax returns.

For federal returns, you can order a copy of a tax transcript from the IRS.

You need an online account for this, and you can get one here. 

For New Jersey, you’ll have to use snail mail. There is no online option.

To get a copy or transcript of your tax return, you first need to complete Form DCC-1, the Division of Taxation said.

Then you would mail it to the New Jersey Division of Taxation, Document Control Center, P.O. Box 269, Trenton, NJ 08695-0269.

Another option to get a copy of your NJ-1040, NJ-1040NR or NJ-1041 is to visit a Division of Taxation Regional Information Center.

It said it will only release the tax return to the person who signed the return or to an authorized representative.

If you’re the person who signed the return, you’ll have to present a photo ID, such as a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID).

If you are the person’s authorized representative, you won’t be able to get a copy on the spot. Instead, the authorized representative must provide a Form M-5008-R. Taxation will process the request and send copies to the individual who signed the return at the address on file with the division.

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This story was originally published on  Dec. 21, 2022.

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