How To Pull Up Old Tax Returns On Turbotax

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Unlock Your Tax History: A Step-by-Step Guide to Pulling Up Old Tax Returns on TurboTax

Ever found yourself in a bind, urgently needing a copy of a past tax return? Perhaps for a loan application, a new job, or even just for your personal records? If you've used TurboTax to file your taxes, you're in luck! TurboTax makes it relatively straightforward to access your prior-year returns, saving you the hassle of contacting the IRS directly (though that's always an option if needed).

So, are you ready to retrieve those valuable financial documents? Let's dive in!

Step 1: Identify Your TurboTax Filing Method (Online vs. Desktop)

This is the absolute first and most crucial step, as the process for pulling up old returns differs significantly depending on how you filed.

Did you use TurboTax Online? This means you accessed TurboTax through a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and completed your return directly on their website. Your returns are generally stored securely in your online account.
Did you use TurboTax CD/Download (Desktop Software)? This means you purchased and installed the TurboTax software directly onto your computer. In this case, your tax files are stored locally on your computer, not on TurboTax's servers.

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

Step 2: Accessing Your Returns (TurboTax Online Users)

If you're a TurboTax Online user, retrieving your past returns is usually a breeze. TurboTax typically stores your online returns for seven years.

Sub-heading 2.1: Logging In to Your Account

Go to the Official TurboTax Website: Open your web browser and navigate to the official TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com). Be sure to always use the official site to protect your personal information.
Sign In: Click on the "Sign In" button, usually located in the top right corner of the page.
Enter Your Credentials: Use the exact User ID and Password you used when you originally filed that specific tax return. This is key! If you have multiple Intuit accounts or have changed your email, you might need to try different combinations or use their account recovery tools (more on this in the FAQ).

Sub-heading 2.2: Navigating to Your Tax Returns & Documents

Access Your Tax Home: Once successfully logged in, you should be directed to your "Tax Home" or a similar dashboard. This is your central hub for all things TurboTax.
Locate "Your Tax Returns & Documents": Scroll down the page until you find a section titled "Your tax returns & documents." This section usually has a dropdown menu or a list of years.
Select the Desired Tax Year: Click on the dropdown menu and choose the specific tax year for which you need a copy of your return.
Download Your Return: Once you've selected the year, you should see an option like "Download/print return (PDF)" or "View PDF." Click this to download a PDF copy of your complete tax return to your computer.

Sub-heading 2.3: Saving and Printing Your PDF

Find the Downloaded File: The PDF will typically download to your computer's "Downloads" folder, but this can vary based on your browser settings.
Open with a PDF Reader: Open the downloaded PDF file using a PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat Reader or your web browser's built-in PDF viewer).
Save Securely: It's highly recommended to save this PDF in a secure, organized location on your computer or a cloud storage service for future easy access. Consider renaming the file with the tax year (e.g., "TaxReturn_2023.pdf").
Print if Needed: If you require a physical copy, simply use your printer's function to print the PDF.

Step 3: Accessing Your Returns (TurboTax CD/Download Users)

If you used the desktop version of TurboTax, the process is a bit different because your files are not stored on TurboTax's servers.

Sub-heading 3.1: Locating Your Tax Files on Your Computer

Default Save Location: By default, TurboTax desktop software saves your tax files in a specific folder on your computer. On most Windows computers, this is typically: C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents\TurboTax On Mac computers, it's usually in your Documents folder.
Search Your Computer: If you can't find it in the default location, use your computer's search function (Windows Search or macOS Spotlight) to look for files with the .tax20XX extension (e.g., .tax2023 for your 2023 tax return). You might have saved them to a different drive or folder.
Check Backups: Did you back up your files to an external hard drive, USB stick, or cloud storage? Now's the time to check those backup locations!

Sub-heading 3.2: Opening Your Tax File with the Correct Software

Matching Software Year: To open a .tax20XX file, you need the corresponding year's TurboTax desktop software installed on your computer. For example, to open a .tax2023 file, you need TurboTax 2023 desktop software. If you've uninstalled older versions, you might need to reinstall them.
Launch TurboTax Software: Open the correct year's TurboTax desktop software.
Open the Tax File:
- Go to File in the top menu.
- Select Open Tax Return...
- Navigate to where you found your .tax20XX file, select it, and click Open.

Sub-heading 3.3: Printing Your Return from Desktop Software

Access Print Center: Once your return is open in the TurboTax desktop software, look for a "Print Center" or "Print" option. This is usually found in the top menu bar or a sidebar.
Select What to Print: You'll typically have options to print:
- Your official IRS tax forms (for filing).
- Client copy (often includes worksheets and summaries).
- Government forms only.
- Choose the "Client Copy" or "All Forms" option to get a comprehensive record.
Print or Save as PDF: You can directly print to your connected printer or, if you have a PDF printer driver installed (most modern operating systems do), you can "print" it as a PDF file to save digitally.

Step 4: What If You Can't Find Your Returns on TurboTax? (Alternative Solutions)

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might not be able to locate your old tax returns through TurboTax. Don't panic! The IRS provides a direct way to get copies of your tax information.

Sub-heading 4.1: Requesting a Tax Transcript from the IRS (Free)

What is a Tax Transcript? A tax transcript is a summary of your tax return information. It's often sufficient for many purposes, like applying for financial aid or loans, and it's free.
How to Request Online:
- Visit the IRS website: IRS.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript.
- Click "Get Transcript Online."
- You'll need to verify your identity, which involves providing personal information and answering security questions, potentially including financial account numbers or a phone number for a verification code.
- Once verified, you can select the "Return Transcript" for the desired tax year.
How to Request by Mail:
- Visit the IRS website: IRS.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript.
- Click "Get Transcript by Mail."
- Provide your SSN or ITIN, date of birth, and mailing address from your latest tax return.
- The transcript will be mailed to you within 5 to 10 calendar days.
How to Request by Form 4506-T: You can also submit Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, by mail or fax. This form allows you to request various types of transcripts.

Sub-heading 4.2: Requesting a Copy of Your Tax Return from the IRS (Fee Involved)

When is this Needed? If a tax transcript isn't enough and you need an exact copy of your entire filed tax return (with all attachments), you can request it from the IRS.
How to Request: File Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. There is a fee for each return requested, and it can take up to 60 days to process.

Step 5: Important Tips and Best Practices

Use the Same User ID: Always try to log in with the exact User ID you used when you originally filed the return. Many people create multiple TurboTax accounts over the years, leading to confusion.
Keep Your Records Organized: Develop a habit of saving a PDF copy of your tax return to a designated "Taxes" folder on your computer immediately after filing each year. This is your best defense against future headaches.
Consider TurboTax Advantage: If you anticipate needing frequent access to past returns and enjoy the convenience of TurboTax, consider their TurboTax Advantage program, which offers benefits like continued access to prior-year software.
Security First: Always ensure you are on the official TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com) before entering any login credentials or personal information. Be wary of phishing scams.

10 Related FAQ Questions

Here are some quick answers to common questions about pulling up old tax returns:

How to recover my TurboTax account if I forgot my User ID or Password?

TurboTax offers a self-serve account recovery process. Go to the sign-in page and click "Forgot User ID or Password." You'll typically be asked to provide an email, phone number, or User ID, and then verify your identity.

How to access tax returns older than seven years on TurboTax?

TurboTax Online generally stores returns for seven years. For returns older than seven years, you will likely need to request a tax transcript or a full copy of your return directly from the IRS using Form 4506-T (for transcripts, free) or Form 4506 (for copies, fee involved).

How to get a copy of my state tax return from a prior year?

If you filed your state return through TurboTax Online, it should be available for download alongside your federal return in your "Tax Home" section. If you used desktop software, the state return will be part of the same .tax20XX file. If not, contact your state's revenue department directly.

How to import prior year tax data into the current year's TurboTax?

When starting a new return in TurboTax (both online and desktop), it will often prompt you to import your prior year's tax data. For online, ensure you're logged into the same account. For desktop, you'll point the software to your .tax20XX file.

How to view my Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from a prior year on TurboTax?

Your AGI is prominently displayed on your Form 1040. When you download your PDF return from TurboTax, you can easily find it there. The IRS Get Transcript service also provides your AGI on a tax transcript.

How to download all my TurboTax returns at once?

TurboTax typically allows you to download returns one year at a time. There isn't usually a "download all" feature for multiple years simultaneously, but the process for each year is quick once you're logged in.

How to get a tax return if I used a different tax software last year?

If you used a different tax software, you'll need to log into that software's online portal or access the files saved on your computer from that program. TurboTax cannot access returns filed with other software. As a last resort, you can always request a transcript from the IRS.

How to print only specific forms from a prior year TurboTax return?

When you open your PDF return (from TurboTax Online or desktop), most PDF readers allow you to select specific pages to print. In the desktop software, the "Print Center" might offer options to print only specific forms.

How to resolve issues with "Account Recovery" on TurboTax?

If you're having trouble with account recovery, ensure you're providing information exactly as it appears on your account. If persistent issues, you may need to contact TurboTax customer support, though they often direct users to the self-serve recovery options first due to security protocols.

How to get a physical copy of my tax return from TurboTax if I can't print it myself?

TurboTax primarily provides digital access. If you can't print it yourself, you could save the PDF to a USB drive and take it to a print shop, or ask a trusted friend or family member to print it for you. The IRS is your alternative for physical copies via mail.