Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form 4506A: Request for a Copy of Exempt or Political Organization IRS Form
Internal Revenue Service Form 4506-A is a request to obtain a copy of an exempt or political organization’s return, report, or notice. Processing may take up to 60 days.
Need help with Form 4506A?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form 4506A.
Start filling →Form Overview
IRS Form 4506A - Request for a Copy of Exempt or Political Organization IRS Form
Internal Revenue Service Form 4506-A is a request to obtain a copy of an exempt or political organization’s return, report, or notice. Processing may take up to 60 days.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Omitting the organization’s official name and EIN will cause the request to be unlocatable.
- 2Leaving the organization’s official name or EIN blank on Line 1 prevents locating the record.
- 3Omitting requester’s address, phone, or contact person on Line 2 leads to an incomplete request.
- 4Failing to check a box in the Category of requester section (Line 3) results in rejection.
- 5Not providing a reason for the request on Line 4 may cause the IRS to deny the request.
Plain English
Form 4506-A lets you ask the IRS for public‑inspection copies of an exempt or political organization’s tax filings. You fill out the required lines, provide a reason, and send it to the IRS. The agency then returns the requested documents.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2026-03-19 15:10:37
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when you request a copy of an exempt or political organization’s return, report, or notice.
- Do not use it when you need copies of Forms 990, 990‑EZ, 990‑PF, or 990‑T received in 2017 or later.
- Check Form 4506-B instead when you need copies of exemption applications or letters.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Requesting a copy of an exemption application or letter
Exemption applications and letters are not covered by Form 4506-A
✓ Verify the request is for an application or letter
Obtaining a copy of Form 990, 990‑EZ, 990‑PF, or 990‑T received in 2017 or later
These returns are available free via Tax Exempt Organization Search, not via Form 4506-A
✓ Search TEOS before filing Form 4506-A
Requesting a copy of an exempt or political organization’s return, report, or notice
Form 4506-A is required under Section 6104 for these documents
✓ Confirm the organization’s return is not publicly inspectable
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Line 1 Exempt or political organization
Official name, address, EIN · Organization’s IRS determination letter
Line 2 Requester
Requester’s name, address, phone, contact person · Your own records or business documents
Line 3 Category of requester
Selected category checkbox · Form instruction list
Line 4 Reason for request
Reason description · Your purpose statement
Payment for photocopy
Check or money order payable to “United States Treasury” · Fee schedule in instructions
Before you submit
- 1Verify the organization’s official name, address, and EIN are entered on Line 1.
- 2Confirm the requester’s name, address, phone number, and contact person are entered on Line 2.
- 3Check the appropriate category box on Line 3.
- 4State a clear reason on Line 4.
- 5Determine if the requested return is not available via TEOS; if not, proceed.
- 6Calculate expected photocopy fees and include payment if cost exceeds $250.
- 7Attach a check or money order payable to “United States Treasury” when required.
- 8Sign the form in the signature field.
- 9Make a copy of the completed form for your records.
- 10Mail the form to Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Unit MS: 6716 Ogden, UT 84201 (or fax 855-653-9144 if preferred).
- 11Keep the mailing receipt or fax confirmation as proof of filing.
How to file this form
- 1Gather the organization’s official name, address, and EIN.
- 2Complete Line 1 with that information, then fill Lines 2‑4 with requester details, category, and reason.
- 3Prepare any required payment and attach a check payable to “United States Treasury.”
- 4Sign the form, make a copy for your records, and mail (or fax) it to the IRS RAIVS Unit at 6716 Ogden, UT 84201 (or fax 855-653-9144) to obtain a delivery receipt.
Known limitations
- 1Form 4506-A does not apply to requests for Forms 990, 990‑EZ, 990‑PF, or 990‑T received in 2017 or later; use TEOS instead.
- 2Only the “Open for Public Inspection” version of a return is provided; donor‑identifying information is excluded.
- 3If the organization makes its return publicly available, you may inspect it directly instead of filing Form 4506-A.
- 4Tax returns older than seven years may have been destroyed and therefore cannot be obtained.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The instructions show the form is Revised November 2021. The source points to www.irs.gov/form4506ab for the latest information about developments related to Form 4506-A.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows Revised November 2021.
- Fee — verify the photocopy cost is $ .20 per page for a commercial user and First 100 pages free, $ .20 per page thereafter for an educational institution, media, non‑commercial scientific institution, or all other requesters.
- Mailing address — confirm you mail to Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Unit MS: 6716 Ogden, UT 84201.
- Signature — confirm the form is signed before sending.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain a copy of the completed Form 4506-A for your records.
- 2Allow up to 60 days for the IRS to process the request.
- 3Watch for a rejection notice if the request is incomplete or illegible.
- 4If the request is rejected, correct any errors and submit a new Form 4506-A.
- 5Keep any mailing or fax confirmation as proof of submission.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Form 4506-A purpose is to request a copy of an exempt or political organization’s return, report, or notice.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Copies of Forms 990, 990‑EZ, 990‑PF and 990‑T received in 2017 or later are available via TEOS, not via Form 4506‑A.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Exempt or political organizations must make returns available for public inspection; you may inspect them directly.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Mail or fax requests to IRS RAIVS Unit, MS: 6716 Ogden, UT 84201; fax 855‑653‑9144.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Processing may take up to 60 days.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Incomplete requests will be rejected.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Tax returns are generally available only for seven years from filing before they are destroyed.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Requester is not required to provide the requested information, but omission may prevent fulfillment.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — An organization or its officers may request a copy, but only the “Open for Public Inspection” version, which excludes contributor‑identifying information.
- SRCForm p.1 — Form 4506‑B is used to request copies of exemption applications and letters.
Common confusion points
Do I need Form 4506-A to get a copy of Form 990?
I assume all copies require the form, but the source says 990 copies from 2017 onward are available via TEOS.
→ Verify the form year and use TEOS instead of Form 4506-A.
Can I receive a copy that shows donor names?
I expect the full return, but the source limits copies to the “Open for Public Inspection” version.
→ Expect donor‑identifying information to be omitted.
Where do I send the completed form?
I’m unsure of the address, but the source lists a specific mailing/fax destination.
→ Mail or fax to IRS RAIVS Unit, MS: 6716 Ogden, UT 84201 or fax 855‑653‑9144.
How long will it take to get the copy?
I think it’s immediate, yet the source states processing may take up to 60 days.
→ Expect a possible 60‑day wait.
What happens if I leave a field blank?
I didn’t know blanks cause issues, but the source says incomplete requests are rejected.
→ Ensure all required fields are filled and legible.
Do I have to provide my personal information?
I’m concerned about privacy, but the source notes the information is optional and may affect fulfillment.
→ Decide whether to include the requested details; understand omission could delay the request.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 4506-A – submit a corrected form if the original is rejected for incompleteness.
Questions about IRS Form 4506A
What is IRS Form 4506A used for?
Form 4506-A lets you ask the IRS for public‑inspection copies of an exempt or political organization’s tax filings. You fill out the required lines, provide a reason, and send it to the IRS. The agency then returns the requested documents.
Who must file IRS Form 4506A?
An exempt or political organization, or its officers, file Form 4506-A to request a copy of the organization’s own return.
What information does IRS Form 4506A require?
The form collects the organization’s official name, address, and EIN (Line 1); the requester’s name, address, phone, and contact person (Line 2); the requester’s category (Line 3); the reason for the request (Line 4); and details of each form and tax year being requested (Lines 5‑8).
Where do I file IRS Form 4506A?
Mail or fax the completed Form 4506-A to the Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Unit, MS: 6716, Ogden, UT 84201, or fax 855‑653‑9144.
How do I complete IRS Form 4506A?
Enter the organization’s official name, address, and EIN on Line 1. Provide the requester’s contact details on Line 2, select the appropriate requester category on Line 3, and state the reason on Line 4. List each desired form, tax year, and delivery method on Lines 5‑8, then sign and date the form before mailing or faxing it to the RAIVS Unit.
What happens if IRS Form 4506A is filed incorrectly?
If required information is missing, the IRS may reject the request and will not provide the copy you need.
Do I need Form 4506-A to get a copy of Form 990?
I assume all copies require the form, but the source says 990 copies from 2017 onward are available via TEOS. Verify the form year and use TEOS instead of Form 4506-A.
Can I receive a copy that shows donor names?
I expect the full return, but the source limits copies to the “Open for Public Inspection” version. Expect donor‑identifying information to be omitted.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.