How To Get 1040 From Turbotax

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Whether you're applying for a loan, need it for an audit, or simply want to keep it for your records, getting a copy of your Form 1040 from TurboTax is a common and usually straightforward process. Let's dive in and get you that tax return!

Your Essential Guide: How to Get Your 1040 from TurboTax

This guide will walk you through the various ways to access your Form 1040, whether you filed online or used the desktop software.

Step 1: Identify Your TurboTax Product and Filing Year

Before we begin, let's figure out where your tax return is likely to be. This is crucial for navigating the right path.

Did you use TurboTax Online (web-based)? If so, your returns are saved securely within your online account. This is the most common scenario for recent filers.
Did you use TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download software)? If you purchased and installed the software on your computer, your tax return files are typically stored locally on your machine.
What tax year are you looking for? TurboTax generally saves your online returns for up to seven years. Knowing the specific year helps you pinpoint the correct file.

Take a moment to recall which version of TurboTax you used and the tax year you need. This will streamline the process significantly!

Step 2: Accessing Your 1040 from TurboTax Online

If you filed your taxes using TurboTax Online, retrieving your 1040 is usually a quick and free process.

Sub-heading 2.1: Logging into Your Account

Go to the Official TurboTax Website: Open your web browser and go to the official TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com). Be very careful to ensure you're on the legitimate site to protect your sensitive financial information.
Sign In: Click on the "Sign In" button, usually located in the top right corner.
Enter Your Credentials: Enter the User ID and Password you used when you filed your tax return for that specific year. It's crucial to use the same account you used for filing. If you have multiple TurboTax accounts, you may need to try logging into each one.

Sub-heading 2.2: Navigating to Your Tax Returns

Once successfully logged in, the next steps depend slightly on whether it's your first time logging in this year or if you've already started a new return.

First Time Signing in This Year (or after a while):
1. You might see a screen summarizing your prior-year return. Select "Continue".
2. On the next screen, which might show product and pricing information, scroll down.
3. Look for and select "Your tax returns & documents".
If You've Already Started Your Current Year's Return:
1. On the Tax Home screen (this is usually the first screen you see after logging in), scroll down.
2. Look for and select "Your tax returns & documents".
3. Alternatively, you might see a "Documents" option in the left-hand menu. Select "Documents" from the menu, then use the dropdown to choose the desired tax year.

Sub-heading 2.3: Downloading Your 1040 (PDF)

Select the Tax Year: Once you're on the "Your tax returns & documents" page, you'll see a list of your filed returns by year. Click on the specific tax year for which you need the 1040.
Download/Print Return (PDF): You should see an option like "Download/print return (PDF)" or "Download tax PDF." Click this.
Save the PDF: Your complete tax return, including your Form 1040 and all associated schedules, will open as a PDF in a new window or tab. You can then save this PDF to your computer and/or print it for your records.

Step 3: Retrieving Your 1040 from TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download)

If you used the desktop software, your tax return files are stored directly on the computer you used to prepare and file your taxes.

Sub-heading 3.1: Locating Your Tax Files

Open the TurboTax Desktop Software: Launch the TurboTax software for the specific tax year you're looking for (e.g., TurboTax 2023 if you need your 2023 return).
Browse for Saved Returns:
- Typically, TurboTax saves your tax files (.tax extension) in your "Documents" folder, under a "TurboTax" subfolder.
- Within the software, you can usually go to "File" > "Open Tax Return" to browse your computer for saved files.
- The default location is usually: C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents\TurboTax (on Windows) or Macintosh HD/Users/[Your Username]/Documents/TurboTax (on Mac).
Identify the Correct File: Your tax file will usually be named something like [Your Name]_[Tax Year].tax (e.g., JohnDoe_2023.tax).

Sub-heading 3.2: Printing Your 1040

Once you've opened the correct tax file within the TurboTax desktop software:

Go to Print Center: Look for a "Print Center" or "Print" option in the software's menu (often under "File").
Select What to Print: You'll typically have options to print:
- Official Copy for Your Records (this includes your 1040 and all forms/schedules).
- Copy for the IRS (if you need to mail it).
- Just the Form 1040.
Choose Your Printer/Save as PDF: Select your desired printer, or choose the option to "Print to PDF" or "Save as PDF" to create a digital copy on your computer.

Step 4: What if You Can't Find Your Return on TurboTax? (Alternative Methods)

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might not be able to locate your 1040 through TurboTax. Don't worry, there are still ways to get a copy.

Sub-heading 4.1: Check for Multiple TurboTax Accounts

It's surprisingly common for users to have multiple TurboTax accounts, especially if email addresses have changed or different logins were used over the years.

Use TurboTax's Account Recovery Tool: TurboTax has a tool to help you find all accounts associated with your personal information. Search for "TurboTax account recovery" on their support site.

Sub-heading 4.2: Request a Transcript from the IRS (Free)

The IRS offers free transcripts of your tax returns. This is a great option if you just need the summary of your return, including your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and most line items.

Visit IRS.gov: Go to www.irs.gov.
"Get Your Tax Record": Look for the "Get Your Tax Record" section.
Choose "Get Transcript Online" or "Get Transcript by Mail":
- Online: This is the fastest method. You'll need to verify your identity.
- By Mail: The transcript will be mailed to your address on file within 5 to 10 calendar days.
Select "Tax Return Transcript": This type of transcript shows most line items from your original Form 1040-series tax return as filed, along with any forms and schedules.

Note: A tax return transcript does not include copies of the actual forms and schedules you filed, nor does it reflect any changes made by the IRS after you filed. If you need a complete, exact copy of your return, see the next option.

Sub-heading 4.3: Request a Copy of Your Tax Return from the IRS (Fee Applies)

If you need an exact copy of your original tax return, including all attachments (like W-2s, schedules, etc.), you'll need to request it directly from the IRS using Form 4506.

Download Form 4506: Go to www.irs.gov and search for "Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return."
Fill Out the Form:
- Enter your name, Social Security number, and current address.
- If you filed a joint return, include your spouse's information.
- Specify the type of return (e.g., Form 1040) and the tax year(s) you need.
- Important: There is a fee for each copy requested (as of 2024, it's $43 per return, but always check the latest form for current fees).
Sign and Mail: Sign the form and mail it with the appropriate payment to the IRS address listed in the Form 4506 instructions for your state.
Processing Time: It can take up to 75 calendar days for the IRS to process your request.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to getting your 1040 from TurboTax, with quick answers:

How to check if my TurboTax account has my past returns? Log in to your TurboTax Online account, and navigate to "Your tax returns & documents" or "Tax Home" and scroll down. You should see a list of available years.

How to retrieve a 1040 from an old TurboTax desktop file? Open the TurboTax desktop software for that specific year, then go to "File" > "Open Tax Return" and browse your computer's Documents folder for the .tax file.

How to get a copy of my 1040 if I forgot my TurboTax password? On the TurboTax sign-in page, click on "Forgot User ID or Password?" and follow the prompts for account recovery.

How to get a tax transcript from the IRS for free instead of a full 1040? Visit IRS.gov, go to "Get Your Tax Record," and choose to get a "Tax Return Transcript" online or by mail.

How to find my TurboTax User ID if I have multiple accounts? Use TurboTax's account recovery tool on their support website, which can often help you identify all accounts linked to your personal information.

How to get a physically mailed copy of my 1040 from TurboTax? TurboTax Online allows you to download your return as a PDF, which you can then print. They generally do not mail physical copies. For IRS copies, you must file Form 4506.

How to get my 1040 if I filed with TurboTax Free Edition? The process is the same as for paid TurboTax Online versions. Log into your account and navigate to "Your tax returns & documents" to download the PDF.

How to request an exact copy of my 1040 from the IRS (with all attachments)? You must submit Form 4506, "Request for Copy of Tax Return," to the IRS along with the required fee.

How to get a 1040 from TurboTax if I filed more than 7 years ago? TurboTax typically saves online returns for seven years. If it's older, you will likely need to request a transcript or copy directly from the IRS (though IRS records for exact copies also have time limits, usually seven years).

How to preview my 1040 on TurboTax before filing? Before you officially file in TurboTax Online, you can usually go to "Tax Tools" > "Tools" > "View Tax Summary" or "Print Center" > "Print, Save, or Preview This Year's Return" to see a draft of your 1040.