How do I search previously filed tax returns on someone? Is that public information?

I would say that is highly personal information and you won't find that in a public sector. In fact I would say just trying to do that would very illegal.

Getting someone else's tax information from the IRS is a daunting task. They guard it zealously, and they enforce the privacy rules for the commercial tax preparers very stingently.

Not sure that seeking the information is illegal, but it IS very difficult.

Dulcinea, as a Canadian I know something about the law, and enough common sense to know it would be equally difficult here in Canada and also illegal to try to access someone's highly personal information. I didn't say it is illegal asking about it, I said it would be illegal to try and GET this information. You misinterpreted my statement, or didn't read it properly.

It seems that two other answers say the same as I did, you will never be able to access someone else's tax records.

And it isn't a good idea to even hint at disrespect of Canadians, I would never think of doing the same.

Loosen up Canada. It's called paraphrasing. My question was to whether it tax retuns are public info. You responded that it would be illegal to TRY looking for such info. I didn't mean Canadians were not up on the law; just you.

Noted!