Tax season can be a whirlwind, and sometimes, after the dust settles, you find yourself needing a copy of your Form 1040. Whether it's for a loan application, financial planning, or just for your records, knowing how to quickly retrieve this crucial document from TurboTax is incredibly helpful. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can locate your 1040 with ease.
How to Find Your Form 1040 on TurboTax: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Are you ready to find your 1040?
Let's begin by figuring out which TurboTax product you used to file your taxes, as the steps vary slightly. Did you use the TurboTax Online version directly through their website, or did you purchase and install the TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download) software on your computer? This distinction is crucial, so take a moment to recall.
Sub-heading 1.1: Understanding the Difference
TurboTax Online: Your tax data and filed returns are stored securely on TurboTax's servers, accessible through your web browser. This is the most common method for many users.
TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download): Your tax data file (.tax file) and any generated PDFs of your return are stored directly on your computer's hard drive. TurboTax does not store these online.
Once you've identified which version you used, proceed to the relevant section below.
Step 2: Accessing Your Form 1040 (TurboTax Online Users)
If you filed using TurboTax Online, retrieving your 1040 is straightforward.
Sub-heading 2.1: Log In to Your TurboTax Account
Open your web browser and go to the official TurboTax website: myturbotax.intuit.com.
Sign in with the User ID and password you used to create your TurboTax account. It's vital to use the exact same credentials you used when you prepared and filed your return. If you have multiple Intuit accounts, you might need to try a few different ones.
Sub-heading 2.2: Navigate to Your Tax Returns & Documents
Once successfully logged in, you will typically land on your Tax Home page.
Scroll down the page. You should see a section titled "Your tax returns & documents".
Click on the tax year for which you need the Form 1040. For example, if you're looking for your 2024 tax return (filed in 2025), click on "2024."
Sub-heading 2.3: Download or Print Your Return
After selecting the year, you will see an option to "Download/print return (PDF)". Click this.
Your complete tax return, including your Form 1040 and all associated schedules and worksheets, will be generated as a PDF file.
You can then choose to save the PDF to your computer or print it directly.
Sub-heading 2.4: Alternative Method via Print Center (Current Year)
For the current tax year (if you're still working on it or just recently filed), there's another path:
From your Tax Home, scroll down and click on "Add a state". Don't worry, you won't actually be adding a state, this just helps navigate you back into the return.
On the left-hand side of the screen, you'll see a menu. Click on "Tax Tools".
From the dropdown, select "Print Center".
Then, choose "Print, save or preview this year's return".
You'll likely be given an option to "Include government and TurboTax worksheets." Selecting this will ensure you get the full return.
Step 3: Accessing Your Form 1040 (TurboTax Desktop Users)
If you used the CD/Download version of TurboTax, your return is stored locally on your computer.
Sub-heading 3.1: Locate Your Tax Data File
Open the TurboTax software for the specific tax year you're looking for (e.g., if you need your 2024 1040, open your 2024 TurboTax Desktop software).
By default, TurboTax saves your tax data files (which end with a
.taxXXXXextension, where XXXX is the year, e.g.,.tax2024) in your Documents folder, within a TurboTax subfolder.If you can't find it there, use your computer's search function (Windows Search or macOS Spotlight) to look for files ending with
.tax20XX(replace 20XX with the year you need). Also, check any backup drives or cloud storage you might use (like Dropbox or OneDrive) where you might have saved your files.Don't forget to check your Recycle Bin or Trash! Sometimes files are accidentally deleted.
Sub-heading 3.2: Open the Tax File and View Your 1040
Once you locate the
.taxXXXXfile, double-click on it. This should open the file within the corresponding TurboTax Desktop software.Inside the software, look for a "Forms" icon or tab, usually near the top of the screen. Click on it.
You will see a list of forms on the left side. Scroll down and select "Form 1040" to view it.
Sub-heading 3.3: Print or Save Your Return
To print, go to File > Print (or look for a print icon).
To save as a PDF, select File > Save As PDF or choose a PDF printer option (like "Microsoft Print to PDF" on Windows or "Save as PDF" on macOS) when you go to print.
Step 4: What if You Can't Find It on TurboTax? (Alternative Options)
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might not be able to locate your return through TurboTax. Don't panic! You have other avenues.
Sub-heading 4.1: Request a Tax Transcript from the IRS
The IRS provides free tax transcripts, which are summaries of your tax return information. While not an exact copy of your 1040, they contain most of the line items from your original return and are often sufficient for various purposes (like loan applications).
Go to the IRS website: irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.
You can request an "Account Transcript" or a "Return Transcript". The Return Transcript is generally what you want as it shows most line items from your filed Form 1040.
You can get transcripts online instantly if you can verify your identity, or you can request them by mail, which takes 5 to 10 calendar days.
Sub-heading 4.2: Request a Copy of Your Tax Return from the IRS
If you need an exact copy of your Form 1040, complete with all schedules and attachments, you can request one directly from the IRS by filing Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return.
Download Form 4506 from the IRS website (irs.gov/forms).
Fill out the form completely, specifying the tax year(s) you need.
There is a fee ($43 per return as of recent information, subject to change).
Mail the form and payment to the appropriate IRS address. This process can take up to 60 days.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to: Access my prior year's tax returns on TurboTax Online if I've switched accounts?
You'll need to sign in with the original User ID and password associated with the account used to file that specific year's return. TurboTax links returns to the account they were filed under. If you don't recall, use their account recovery tools on the sign-in page.
How to: Get a copy of my state tax return from TurboTax?
State tax returns are usually included when you download or print your federal return package from TurboTax Online. For desktop users, they are part of the saved file on your computer. If you only need the state return, look within the downloaded PDF or the "Forms" section in your desktop software.
How to: Preview my TurboTax Online return before filing?
While working on your current year's return in TurboTax Online, navigate to the "Tax Tools" menu (usually on the left side of the screen), then select "Print Center", and finally "Print, save, or preview this year's return."
How to: Save my TurboTax return as a PDF on my computer?
TurboTax Online: After finding your return (as per Step 2), select the "Download/print return (PDF)" option. Your browser will typically prompt you to save the PDF.
TurboTax Desktop: Open your return in the software, go to File > Print, and then choose a PDF printer option (e.g., "Microsoft Print to PDF" or "Save as PDF") instead of a physical printer.
How to: Find my AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) from a previous TurboTax return?
Your AGI is typically found on Line 11 of your Form 1040. You can access your previous year's return through the methods described in Steps 2 or 3 to find this information. The IRS also offers free tax transcripts which display your AGI.
How to: Import my prior year's TurboTax data into a new year's return?
When starting a new tax year in TurboTax, the software usually prompts you to import data from your previous year's return if it detects one. For TurboTax Online, this happens automatically if you're using the same account. For desktop, you'll need the .taxXXXX file from the prior year and the software will guide you through the import process.
How to: Get a tax transcript if I didn't file with TurboTax?
You can always obtain tax transcripts directly from the IRS, regardless of how you filed. Visit irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript to request an online transcript or have one mailed to you.
How to: Print only Form 1040 and not the entire tax return package?
While downloading the full PDF is often the easiest, in the TurboTax Desktop software, you can go to the "Forms" mode, select Form 1040, and then choose to print only that specific form. In TurboTax Online, depending on the year, the PDF download typically includes the 1040 at the beginning, so you could print specific pages.
How to: Recover a deleted TurboTax data file from my computer?
Check your computer's Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) first. If it's not there, you might need to use file recovery software or restore from a backup if you have one. TurboTax does not store your desktop data files online.
How to: Contact TurboTax support for help finding my 1040?
If you're having persistent trouble, you can visit the TurboTax support website (