Resources

The IRS offers a mobile-friendly Withholding Estimator tool to help you check if you’re having the right amount of tax withheld from your paycheck throughout the year. Using it can reduce the chance of an unexpected balance due or a large refund.

If you’d like help reviewing your results or making adjustments, our team at East Bay Tax Solutions is happy to assist. You can schedule an appointment anytime using our online booking system.

 You can track the status of your federal tax refund directly through the IRS website.

To get started, you’ll need:

- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN
- Your filing status
- Your exact refund amount

If you’re checking from a mobile device, you can also download the IRS2Go app for convenient access.

Don’t worry — this is very common, and there’s an easy way to retrieve the information you need.

You can access your personal tax records online, including transcripts of past tax returns and wage and income statements, through the Internal Revenue Service Get Transcript tool.

This is the fastest and most convenient way to access important tax information.

Using this tool, you can:

View, print, or download tax return transcripts

- Check how much you owe
- Review your payment history
- Locate your prior year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
- Access wage and income records (W-2s, 1099s, etc.)
- View other IRS tax records that may be needed for filing

What’s a transcript vs. a copy of a return?

A tax transcript summarizes your return information and is accepted for most tax filing and verification needs. A full copy of your original return is rarely required.

If you have trouble accessing your online account, transcripts can also be requested by mail directly through the IRS website.

If you need information from a prior California tax return, you can request records directly from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB).

Option 1: Access your records online (fastest)

You can view your tax account, balances, payments, and select return information through your FTB online account.

Through your account, you may be able to:

- View balances owed
- Review payment history
- See notices issued
- Confirm filing history
- Access some prior year tax details

Option 2: Request a copy of your tax return

If you need an actual copy of a previously filed California return, you can request it by submitting Form FTB 3516 – Request for Copy of Tax Return to the Franchise Tax Board.

A fee may apply, and processing time can take several weeks.

When do you usually need this?

Clients commonly need prior state return information for:

- Mortgage or loan applications
- Financial aid verification
- Identity verification
- Filing a current-year tax return
- Resolving a state tax notice

Tip

In most situations, full copies of old returns aren’t required, account history or tax transcripts are usually sufficient.

If you’re unsure what type of document is needed, it’s best to check with the requesting institution before ordering a full copy.

If you filed a tax return in a state other than California, you can usually obtain prior-year records directly from that state’s tax agency (often called the Department of Revenue, Taxation Department, or Revenue Service).

How to locate your state tax records

Most states offer an online taxpayer portal where you can:

- View your filing history
- Check balances owed
- Review payment history
- Access notices
- Confirm whether a return was filed

Search online for:
“[State Name] Department of Revenue tax transcript” or
“[State Name] taxpayer account login”

Requesting a copy of a prior state tax return

If you need an actual copy of a previously filed state return, most states require:

- A written request or state-specific form
- Proof of identity
- A processing fee
- Several weeks for delivery

Full copies are typically only needed for legal, loan, or official verification purposes.