How to Get Prior-Year Tax Returns From New Clients
Last year's return is the most useful document a new client can send. Why it matters, where clients can find it, and what to do when they can't.
Quick answer: A new client's prior-year returns show carryovers, depreciation, estimated payments, filing history and every recurring income source, which makes them the most useful onboarding document. Clients can usually get copies from their previous preparer, their tax software account or their own files. If they can't, an IRS tax return transcript covers most line items, and authorized professionals can pull it through the IRS Transcript Delivery System with a Form 8821 or 2848 on file.
Key takeaways
- Ask for the last two to three years of returns, with all schedules and state returns.
- The previous preparer and tax software accounts are the easiest sources.
- Transcripts are a reliable fallback for most data, but don't include everything.
- Depreciation schedules and carryover worksheets are often missing from client copies. Ask for them specifically.
Why prior-year returns matter
- Carryovers: capital losses, charitable contributions, net operating losses and credits
- Depreciation: asset bases and methods for business and rental property
- Recurring income: every W-2, 1099 and K-1 to expect this year
- Estimated payments and overpayments applied forward
- Prior-year AGI, sometimes needed for e-file identity checks
They're also the foundation of a personalized document list. See tax organizer vs document checklist.
Where clients can find them
- Previous preparer: ask for a complete copy, including depreciation and carryover worksheets
- Tax software: clients who self-filed can usually download PDFs from their account
- Their own files: paper copies or saved PDFs
What to ask for exactly
Please upload complete copies of your 2024 and 2025 federal and state returns, including all schedules and any depreciation or carryover worksheets. If your previous preparer filed them, they can send a full copy on request.
When clients can't find them
With Form 8821 or 2848 on file, pull tax return and account transcripts through the IRS Transcript Delivery System. Transcripts show most line items and account activity, but not supporting worksheets, so you may need to rebuild depreciation schedules from asset records.
Check what arrives
Common problems: only the first two pages of Form 1040, the wrong year, the federal return without the state, or a draft rather than the filed version. Correctdocs checks each upload against what you requested, so incomplete returns are flagged right away.
Correctdocs is in early access. The first 10 US accounting, bookkeeping and tax firms get a free 30-day pilot on real client requests. Request early access.
Frequently asked questions
How many years of prior returns should I request?
Two to three years is common, more if the client has carryovers, depreciation or open IRS issues.
Can I get a client's prior return from the IRS?
Authorized professionals can get tax return transcripts, which show most line items. Full copies of returns require a separate request.