Navigating tax season can be daunting, but thankfully, TurboTax simplifies the process significantly. Once you've completed your tax return, you'll likely want a physical copy for your records, or perhaps to mail if you're not e-filing. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to get to the Print Center in TurboTax for both online and desktop versions, ensuring you can secure your important tax documents with ease.
Ready to print your TurboTax return? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Identify Your TurboTax Version – Online or Desktop?
Before we begin, it's crucial to know which version of TurboTax you're using. Are you accessing TurboTax through your web browser (TurboTax Online) or have you installed the software directly onto your computer (TurboTax Desktop)? The steps vary slightly depending on your version.
TurboTax Online: You access your tax return through a website like turbotax.intuit.com.
TurboTax Desktop: You launch an application installed on your Windows or Mac computer.
Knowing this will help us get you to the right place quickly!
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| How To Get To Print Center Turbotax |
For TurboTax Online Users: Accessing the Print Center
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
If you're using TurboTax Online, the "Print Center" is your go-to hub for all printing and saving options.
Step 2: Sign In to Your TurboTax Online Account
Open your web browser: Go to the official TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com).
Sign In: Click on the "Sign In" button, usually located in the top right corner of the page.
Enter Credentials: Enter your User ID and Password. If you've forgotten them, use the "Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Password" links to recover your account.
Access Your Tax Home: Once logged in, you'll be directed to your "Tax Home" page.
Step 3: Navigate to the Print Center
Locate "Tax Tools": On the left-hand side of your screen, you'll see a menu. Look for and click on "Tax Tools".
Select "Tools": A sub-menu will appear. Click on "Tools".
Find "Print Center": From the new pop-up window, select "Print Center".
Step 4: Choose Your Printing Options
You're now in the Print Center! Here, you'll have several options for what you want to print.
"Print, save, or preview this year's return": This is the most common option. Click on this to proceed.
Select the forms you want to print: You'll typically be given choices like:
Federal return only
State return only
Federal and state returns
Government forms (official forms submitted to the IRS/state)
All forms and worksheets (includes all supporting documents and calculations)
"Continue to Print": After making your selections, click this button.
Preview and Print/Save: Your return will open as a PDF. Always preview it first to ensure everything looks correct. From the PDF viewer, you can usually find a printer icon to print directly or a disk icon or "Save As" option to save it as a PDF to your computer.
Tip: Saving as a PDF is a great way to keep digital copies for future reference and can be printed anytime.
For TurboTax Desktop Users: Printing Your Return
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
If you have the TurboTax software installed on your computer, the process is slightly different but just as straightforward.
Step 2: Open Your TurboTax Desktop Software
Launch the application: Double-click the TurboTax icon on your desktop or find it in your Start Menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).
Open your tax file: Navigate to and open the specific tax file (.tax file) for the year you want to print.
Step 3: Access the Print Options
"File" Menu: Look at the very top of your TurboTax program window. You'll see a menu bar with options like "File," "Edit," "View," etc. Click on "File".
Select "Print": From the dropdown menu, choose "Print".
Alternative: "Print Center" button (if available): Some TurboTax Desktop versions might have a "Print Center" button directly on the main screen or in the top right corner. If you see it, you can click that as well.
Step 4: Configure Your Print Settings
A "Print" pop-up window will appear, offering various printing choices.
Select "Form Sets": You'll usually see options like:
Official Federal/State Return (for mailing)
Client Copy (includes a summary and forms for your records)
All Forms and Worksheets (most comprehensive)
Specific Forms (allows you to choose individual forms)
Choose your printer: Ensure the correct printer is selected from the dropdown menu.
Number of copies: Specify how many copies you need.
"Preview Print Copy": It's highly recommended to click "Preview Print Copy" first. This will open a PDF of your return, allowing you to review it before committing to printing.
Print: Once you're satisfied with the preview, click the printer icon within the PDF viewer or the "Print" button in the main print dialog.
Important Considerations for Printing
Tip: Scroll slowly when the content gets detailed.
Payment Requirement: If you haven't yet paid for your TurboTax product (for paid versions), you will likely be prompted to pay before you can print or save your return.
PDF is Your Friend: Always consider saving a PDF copy of your completed tax return. It's an excellent backup, easily shareable, and can be printed at any time without needing to open TurboTax software.
Paper Type and Quality: If you are printing a return to mail, the IRS generally recommends using standard 8.5" x 11" white paper of good quality (at least 32M or 16 lb weight). Colored paper can reduce readability.
Printer Troubleshooting: If you encounter printing issues, ensure your printer is properly connected, has ink/toner, and is working correctly by testing it with another document. You might also need to update your printer drivers.
Worksheets vs. Official Forms: Remember that when you print, you can often choose between just the official forms (what gets sent to the government) or a more comprehensive set that includes worksheets and other supporting documents. For your records, it's often best to print "All Forms and Worksheets."
10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
Here are some quick answers to common questions about printing your TurboTax return:
How to preview my TurboTax Online return before filing? In TurboTax Online, go to "Tax Tools" > "Tools" > "Print Center," then select "Print, save, or preview this year's return" and choose the "preview" option.
How to print only my Federal tax return from TurboTax? When in the Print Center (Online) or Print dialog (Desktop), select the option to print only the "Federal return" or "Federal Forms."
How to save my TurboTax return as a PDF? After going to the Print Center (Online) or selecting "Print" (Desktop), choose the option to "Save as PDF" instead of sending it to a physical printer.
How to print a prior year's tax return from TurboTax Online? Sign in to your TurboTax Online account, go to "Tax Home," scroll down to "Your tax returns & documents," select the relevant tax year, and then look for the "Download/print return (PDF)" option.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
How to print specific forms from my TurboTax return? In the Print Center or Print dialog, there's usually an option to select "Specific Forms" or "Choose forms to print," allowing you to pick individual forms.
How to print my state tax return only in TurboTax? Similar to printing the federal return, select the option for "State return" or "State Forms" in the print settings.
How to print my TurboTax return if I've already filed it? You can still print a copy. For TurboTax Online, sign back into your account, go to "Tax Home," and select the "Download/print return (PDF)" option for the relevant year. For Desktop, simply open the saved tax file and print.
How to troubleshoot common printing issues with TurboTax? First, ensure your printer works with other documents. Then, check your printer settings in TurboTax (File > Page Setup) and consider updating your printer drivers. Sometimes, clearing your browser's cache (for online) or reinstalling the desktop software can help.
How to print my TurboTax return if I used the mobile app? After completing your return in the mobile app, look for a "Print" or "Download PDF" option. You may need to download the PDF to your device first, then print it from a computer connected to a printer or use mobile printing options like AirPrint (iOS) or a cloud print plugin (Android).
How to get a copy of my W-2s or 1099s if I printed my tax return from TurboTax? TurboTax will print your tax return, which summarizes the information from your W-2s and 1099s, but it won't include copies of the original forms themselves. You'll need to contact your employer or the financial institution that issued these forms to get copies.
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