The IRS has posted Tax TIP 2012-18 on their website to help with this. Taxpayers with lost or missing tax records needing information from previously filed returns may order tax return transcripts that show most line items from an originally filed tax return from the IRS using their online ordering tool (see www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=232168,00.html), by phone, or by mail using Form 4605T-EZor Form 4506T. Ordering online or by phone results in much faster receipt (five to ten calendar days) compared to 30 calendar days for mail requests. To obtain actual copies of old returns  it costs $57, requires completion of Form 4506, and takes 60 days to receive.