How To Find Previous Tax Returns In Turbotax

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Have you ever been in that moment, perhaps applying for a loan, a mortgage, or even financial aid, and suddenly you realize you need a copy of a previous year's tax return? A wave of panic might set in: Where is it? Did I save it? How do I even access it in TurboTax? You're not alone! Many people find themselves in this exact situation. The good news is that TurboTax, for the most part, makes retrieving your past tax returns fairly straightforward. The key lies in knowing where to look, depending on how you originally filed your taxes.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every possible scenario for finding your previous tax returns in TurboTax, providing detailed, step-by-step instructions. Let's dive in and get those tax documents back in your hands!

How to Find Previous Tax Returns in TurboTax: A Step-by-Step Guide

The method for retrieving your past tax returns depends heavily on whether you used TurboTax Online (web-based) or the TurboTax CD/Download (desktop software) version. We'll cover both scenarios in detail.

Step 1: Identify Your Filing Method – Online or Desktop?

Before you do anything else, pause and consider: How did I prepare and file my taxes in the past?

Did you log into a website and complete your taxes directly in your web browser? If so, you likely used TurboTax Online. This is the most common method for many users.
Did you purchase a physical CD or download the software onto your computer and install it before preparing your taxes? If this sounds familiar, you used TurboTax CD/Download.

Knowing this crucial distinction will save you a lot of time and frustration!

Step 2: Retrieving Returns from TurboTax Online (Web-Based)

If you used TurboTax Online, your tax returns are generally stored securely within your Intuit account. TurboTax typically retains PDF copies of your filed returns for a 7-year period, which aligns with the IRS's record-keeping recommendations.

Sub-heading: Accessing Your TurboTax Online Account

This is your primary hub for all your online tax history.

Go to the Official TurboTax Website: Open your web browser and navigate to the official TurboTax login page. Always ensure you are on the legitimate TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com or turbotax.ca for Canada) to protect your sensitive financial information.
Sign In to Your Account:
- Enter the User ID and Password you used when you filed your previous tax return.
- Forgot your User ID or Password? Don't panic! TurboTax has a robust account recovery process. Look for the "I forgot my User ID or Password" link on the login page. You'll typically be prompted to enter your phone number or email address associated with the account. Follow the on-screen instructions to recover your credentials. You might receive a verification code via text or email.
Navigate to Your Tax Home: Once successfully logged in, you'll usually land on your "Tax Home" page or a similar dashboard. This page provides an overview of your current and past tax years.

Sub-heading: Finding Your Specific Prior Year Return

From your Tax Home, retrieving your documents is usually quite simple.

Scroll Down to "Your tax returns & documents": On the Tax Home page, scroll down until you see a section clearly labeled something like "Your tax returns & documents" or "Access your filed tax returns."
Select the Desired Tax Year: You'll typically see a drop-down menu or a list of available tax years. Click on the year for which you need the return.
Download Your Return as a PDF: Once you select the year, you should see an option to "Download tax PDF," "Download/print return (PDF)," or a similar button. Click this to download a PDF copy of your complete tax return to your computer.
Save and Print (Optional): Once downloaded, open the PDF. You can then save it to a secure location on your computer or print a physical copy for your records. It's always a good practice to save a PDF copy of your return to your local computer or a cloud storage service immediately after filing.

Sub-heading: What if the Year Isn't Listed Online?

If you can't find the specific year you're looking for, consider these possibilities:

Different Account: It's possible you used a different TurboTax account for that particular tax year. If you have multiple email addresses or have used different user IDs in the past, try logging in with those.
Older Than 7 Years: TurboTax online typically only stores returns for the past seven years. If your return is older than that, it may have been purged from their servers. In this case, you'll need to look at alternative methods (covered later).
Desktop Version Used: Crucially, if you used the CD/Download version in a prior year, that return will NOT be available in your online account. You'll need to follow the steps for desktop users.

Step 3: Retrieving Returns from TurboTax CD/Download (Desktop Software)

If you used the TurboTax CD/Download software, your tax returns are stored directly on your computer's hard drive, not online with TurboTax. This means you need to access the computer you used to prepare the return.

Sub-heading: Locating Your Tax Data File

The core of your return is saved as a ".tax" file.

Identify the Computer Used: The most important step is to remember which computer you used to prepare and file that specific tax year's return. Was it your old desktop, a laptop, or perhaps a computer you no longer own?
Search Your Computer's Hard Drive:
- Windows:
  - Open "This PC" or "My Computer."
  - Navigate to your "Documents" folder.
  - Look for a folder named "TurboTax" or "My TurboTax Files."
  - Within that, you'll likely find subfolders for each tax year (e.g., "2023," "2022," etc.).
  - Inside the year's folder, look for a file ending with the extension .taxYEAR (e.g., MyTaxReturn2023.tax2023). This is your main tax data file.
- Mac:
  - Open "Finder."
  - Go to "Documents" or "Applications."
  - Look for a "TurboTax" folder.
  - Similar to Windows, you'll find year-specific folders containing files with the .taxYEAR extension.
Check for PDF Copies: When you finalized your return with the desktop software, you were always prompted to save a PDF copy of your return. This PDF is a complete, printable version. Search your computer for these PDF files as well. They are often saved in the same folder as your .tax file or in your default "Downloads" folder.
- Common PDF names: YourName_TaxReturn_2023.pdf or Federal_Return_2023.pdf, State_Return_2023.pdf.

Sub-heading: Opening and Printing Your Tax Return from Desktop Software

Once you've located the .tax file:

Ensure You Have the Correct Year's TurboTax Software Installed: To open a .taxYEAR file, you generally need the corresponding year's TurboTax desktop software installed on your computer. For example, to open a 2023.tax2023 file, you need the TurboTax 2023 software.
- If you don't have it installed, you might need to purchase or reinstall the specific year's software. TurboTax offers access to prior year products on their website for this purpose.
Open the File: Double-click the .taxYEAR file. This should launch the correct TurboTax software for that year (if installed) and open your return.
Print Your Return: Once opened in the software, look for the "Print" or "Save as PDF" options. Print a physical copy or save a new PDF to a more easily accessible location.

Sub-heading: What if the Computer is Gone or Corrupted?

If you no longer have access to the computer, or the files are corrupted, you'll need to explore alternative methods (covered next). This is why saving PDF copies and backing up your .tax files is absolutely critical every year!

Step 4: Alternative Methods if TurboTax Access Fails

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might not be able to retrieve your returns directly from TurboTax. Don't despair! There are official avenues to get your tax information.

Sub-heading: Requesting Transcripts from the IRS (for U.S. Federal Returns)

The IRS provides free transcripts of your federal tax returns. These are not exact copies of your return but summarize key lines from your original return and are usually sufficient for most needs (like applying for loans or financial aid).

IRS Get Transcript Online:
- Go to the IRS website: www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.
- Click on "Get Transcript Online."
- You will need to verify your identity, which typically involves providing your SSN/ITIN, date of birth, filing status, and an account number from a credit card, mortgage, home equity loan, car loan, or student loan. You also need a mobile phone with your name on the account.
- Once verified, you can view, print, or download various types of transcripts, including:
  - Tax Return Transcript: Shows most line items from your filed Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR. It does not show changes made after the original return was filed.
  - Tax Account Transcript: Shows basic data like filing status, taxable income, and payment history. It also shows changes made to the return by you or the IRS.
  - Wage and Income Transcript: Shows data from information returns like W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, and Form 5498.
Get Transcript by Mail: If you can't get a transcript online, you can request one by mail using the same IRS "Get Transcript" page. It usually takes 5 to 10 calendar days to arrive.

Sub-heading: Requesting a Copy of Your Tax Return from the IRS (for U.S. Federal Returns)

If a transcript isn't enough and you need an exact copy of your filed federal tax return (including all forms and schedules), you can request one from the IRS.

Complete Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return:
- Download the form from the IRS website (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf).
- Fill out the form completely, indicating the tax year(s) you need.
- There is a fee for each tax year requested (typically $43 per return).
- Mail the completed form and payment to the appropriate IRS address listed in the form instructions.
- Be prepared for a wait: This process can take up to 75 calendar days for the IRS to process and mail you the copy.

Sub-heading: Contacting State Tax Agencies (for State Returns)

If you need a copy of your state tax return, you'll need to contact the relevant state's department of revenue or taxation directly. Each state has its own procedures for requesting old tax returns, which may involve filling out a specific form and paying a fee. A quick search for "[Your State Name] department of revenue request tax return" should lead you to the correct resources.

Important Tips for Future Tax Seasons

Always Save PDFs! After you file your taxes with TurboTax (or any other software), immediately save a PDF copy of your complete federal and state returns to a secure folder on your computer and a cloud storage service (like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive). This is your best defense against lost returns.
Back Up Your .tax Files (Desktop Users): If you use the desktop software, regularly back up your .taxYEAR files to an external hard drive or cloud storage. This protects your data in case your computer crashes.
Keep Your Login Information Safe: Store your TurboTax User ID and Password in a secure place, such as a password manager. This prevents you from being locked out of your online account.
Check for Multiple Accounts: If you've used TurboTax for many years, you might have inadvertently created multiple accounts with different email addresses or user IDs. If you can't find a return, try using TurboTax's account recovery tools to see if other accounts are linked to your personal information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to finding previous tax returns in TurboTax, along with their quick answers:

How to access my prior-year tax return if I forgot my TurboTax password?

Go to the TurboTax login page and click "Forgot my User ID or Password." Follow the prompts to reset your password, usually involving a verification code sent to your registered phone or email.

How to find my TurboTax tax return if I used the desktop version and my computer crashed?

Unfortunately, if you didn't save PDF copies or back up your .tax files, the data is likely lost. You will need to request a transcript or a copy of your return directly from the IRS (Form 4506) and your state tax agency.

How to get a copy of a tax return that is older than 7 years from TurboTax?

TurboTax generally only stores online returns for 7 years. For returns older than that, you must request them directly from the IRS (using Form 4506 for a copy or the "Get Transcript" service) or your state tax agency.

How to view my state tax return from a previous year in TurboTax?

If you filed your state return through TurboTax Online, it will be included in the PDF download of your complete return, accessible from your "Tax Home" under "Your tax returns & documents" for the relevant year. If you used desktop software, it's part of the saved .tax file or a separate PDF copy.

How to know if I used TurboTax Online or the CD/Download version?

If you logged into a website to prepare your taxes, you used TurboTax Online. If you bought software (CD or digital download) and installed it on your computer, you used the CD/Download version.

How to get my Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from a previous tax return in TurboTax?

For TurboTax Online users, sign in and download the PDF of your prior-year return. Your AGI will be clearly listed on the first page of your Form 1040. Alternatively, you can get a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS "Get Transcript" service, which includes your AGI.

How to find my TurboTax files on my Windows computer?

Navigate to "This PC" > "Documents" > "TurboTax" or "My TurboTax Files." Inside, you'll find folders for each tax year (e.g., 2023, 2022), containing your .taxYEAR files and often PDF copies.

How to find my TurboTax files on my Mac computer?

Open "Finder" and go to "Documents" or "Applications." Look for a "TurboTax" folder. Within it, you'll find year-specific folders containing your .taxYEAR files and any saved PDF copies.

How to retrieve a TurboTax return if I have multiple Intuit accounts?

Log out of your current TurboTax account. Then, use the TurboTax account recovery tool (often found near the login fields) to see if other user IDs are associated with any email addresses or phone numbers you've used.

How to save a PDF copy of my tax return in TurboTax for future reference?

After completing your return in TurboTax Online, there will be a clear option to "Download tax PDF" or "Save PDF." For desktop software, look for a "Print" or "Save As" option within the program, then choose PDF as the file type. Always save these to a secure, easily accessible location.

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