How to Get Old Tax Returns from TurboTax

Finding an old tax return filed with TurboTax is usually straightforward, but the exact steps depend on which version of the software you used. Whether your return is stored in the cloud or on an old computer, this guide will help you locate and download it. We will cover how to get returns from both TurboTax Online and the TurboTax CD/Download software, troubleshoot forgotten login details, and explain how to get copies directly from the IRS if needed.

How to Access Returns from TurboTax Online

If you prepare your taxes on the TurboTax website, your returns are stored securely on Intuit's servers. For paid users, this is a convenient way to get prior-year returns without searching through your personal files. TurboTax generally provides access to returns filed within the past seven years.

Follow these steps to find and download your tax returns:

1. Sign In to Your Account: Go to the TurboTax website and sign in. Use the same user ID (usually an email address) that you used for the year you are looking for. Many people create multiple accounts over the years with different emails, so if you don’t see your returns, this is often why.
2. Go to Tax Home: Once you're signed in, you should land on the "Tax Home" screen. If you are redirected elsewhere, find the "Tax Home" link in the main navigation menu. This is your dashboard for all tax-related activities for the current and prior years.
3. Find Your Documents: On the Tax Home screen, look for "Your tax returns & documents." It should be easy to find. Here, you will see a list of available tax years.
4. Select the Correct Tax Year: Click on the tax year you need. This will expand the section and show all files for that year's filing.
5. Download Your Files: You should now see several options:
   • Download/print return (PDF): Most people need this option. It provides a complete PDF of the federal and state tax returns you filed, which you can save to your computer, print for your records, or provide to a lender or other institution.
   • Download .tax file: This is the data file for your return. Use this file to transfer information into the next year's return or if you need to amend your return using the TurboTax software. You can only open a .tax file with the TurboTax software for that specific year.
   • Amend (change) return: Select this option if you need to file a Form 1040-X to correct or change your original return.

Click "Download/print return (PDF)" to save a copy of your full return to your computer.

What If I Used the Free Edition?

There is an important difference for users of TurboTax Free Edition. Access to prior-year returns is generally a feature included with paid versions of TurboTax (Deluxe, Premier, and Self-Employed). If you used the Free Edition and did not pay for any add-on services like PLUS, you may have to pay a fee to access and print your older tax returns. This fee makes your archived files available.

Finding Returns from the TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download) Software

If you install software on your computer, you used the TurboTax Desktop version. The main difference is where your file is stored: your tax return data file is on your computer's hard drive, not in the cloud. Intuit does not keep a backup copy of your desktop files.

Here's how to find your returns on your computer:

1. Check Your Original Computer: The first step is to search on the computer where you prepared the taxes for that year. Your files will not be on any other device unless you manually moved them.
2. Know the File Type and Naming Convention: TurboTax desktop files end with a .tax extension, typically followed by the tax year. For example, a return created for the 2022 tax year will be named something like yourname.tax2022.
3. Search in Common Locations: Use your computer’s search function to find files ending in ".tax[year]". If that doesn't work, check these default save locations:
   • For Windows: Look in the My Documents\TurboTax folder.
   • For Mac: Files are usually saved in the Documents/TurboTax folder.
4. Open the File: To view or print the return, you need to open the .tax file using the corresponding year's TurboTax Desktop software. A 2022 tax file requires the 2022 software, a 2021 file requires the 2021 software, and so on. If you no longer have the software installed, you may need to purchase and download a copy of the prior-year version from the TurboTax website to open the file.

Since the CD/Download version relies entirely on your computer, it's good to back up your .tax files and the final PDF copies to an external drive or secure cloud storage service for safekeeping.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Sometimes the process doesn't go as smoothly as expected. Here are a few common issues and how to resolve them.

Problem: I Forgot My User ID or Password

Losing your login information is very common. TurboTax has a simple account recovery process.

• Go to the TurboTax Account Recovery page.
• You can find your user ID by entering the email address or phone number associated with your account. TurboTax will send a code to help you log in.
• If you remember your user ID but forgot your password, enter the ID and click the "I forgot my password" link to start the reset process.
• Pro Tip: Try any old email addresses you may have used. This is the most common reason people think their tax returns are missing-they signed in to the wrong account.

Problem: My Account Doesn't Show Any Prior-Year Returns

If you are logged into TurboTax Online but see no previous returns, one of two things is likely happening:

1. You're logged into the wrong account. As mentioned, you may have used a different email address to file in previous years. Try signing out and using the account recovery tool with other emails or phone numbers.
2. You used the CD/Download version in prior years. In this case, your return data file is on your computer, not online. TurboTax Online will not show returns prepared using the desktop software.

When TurboTax Isn't an Option: Get Your Tax Info from the IRS

What if your computer crashed years ago and you can't access your TurboTax account? If you can't get your return from the software, you can always get a copy directly from the Internal Revenue Service.

You have two main options for this, each for a different purpose.

Option 1: Get a Tax Transcript (Free and Fast)

For most situations, like applying for a mortgage or financial aid, you don't need a full copy of your tax return. All you need is an official IRS Tax Transcript. A transcript is a computer-generated summary of your return that shows most of the line items, including your adjusted gross income (AGI). They're free and relatively quick to get.

The easiest way to get one is to use the IRS "Get Transcript" online tool. You will need to verify your identity through their trusted partner, ID.me, but once registered, you can view, download, and print transcripts for the current year and the past three years immediately. You can also request a copy by mail, which usually arrives in 5 to 10 calendar days.

Option 2: Get a Full Copy of Your Tax Return (Costs Money, Takes Time)

If a transcript isn't enough and you need an exact copy of the return you filed, including all schedules and attachments, you must request it from the IRS.

To do this, you will need to fill out and mail Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. There is a fee for each return you request ($43 per tax year as of late 2023), and processing can take up to 75 days. Because of the cost and wait time, use this method as a last resort when a transcript won't meet your needs.

Final Thoughts

Getting your old tax returns from TurboTax is manageable once you know whether your records are online or on your computer. For online users, it’s a simple matter of logging into the correct account. Desktop users will need access to the original computer and file. When you can’t get your records from TurboTax, the IRS transcript service is a fast and free alternative for most situations.

For accountants and tax professionals, obtaining an old return often leads to more complex work, such as amending a return or advising on a multi-year tax strategy. These tasks require checking tax code from a specific year for accuracy. When that need arises, tools like Feather AI can help by giving instant, citation-backed answers to your tax research questions, giving you the confidence to guide your clients effectively.