Have you ever wondered what exactly goes into your tax return? When you use TurboTax, it simplifies the process by asking you questions and filling out the relevant forms behind the scenes. But what if you want to see those forms, understand them, or even print a copy for your records? You're in the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to view your tax forms in TurboTax, whether you're still working on your return or need to access a past filing.
Navigating TurboTax: Your Gateway to Tax Forms
TurboTax offers both online and desktop (CD/download) versions, and the way you access your forms will vary slightly depending on which one you're using. We'll cover both scenarios in detail.
Step 1: Identify Your TurboTax Version - Are You Online or Desktop?
This is the very first and most crucial step. Before we dive into specific instructions, take a moment to determine if you're using:
TurboTax Online: You access TurboTax through your web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and your data is stored on Intuit's servers.
TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download): You installed TurboTax software directly onto your computer from a CD or a downloaded file, and your tax data files (with a .tax extension) are saved locally on your machine.
Once you know which version you're using, proceed to the relevant section below.
Viewing Forms in TurboTax Online
TurboTax Online is designed for a streamlined, interview-style experience. While it doesn't have a direct "Forms Mode" like the desktop version, you can certainly preview and print your forms.
Step 2: Accessing Your Current Year's Return (Before Filing)
If you're still working on your taxes and haven't filed yet, here's how to see your forms:
Sub-Step 2.1: Log In and Navigate
Go to the TurboTax Website: Open your web browser and go to the official TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com).
Sign In: Click on the "Sign In" button and enter your TurboTax credentials.
Continue Your Return: Once logged in, you'll typically be taken to your "Tax Home" or a screen prompting you to "Continue your return." Click on that to open your in-progress tax return.
Sub-Step 2.2: Using the "Tax Tools" Menu
Locate "Tax Tools": On the left-hand side of your TurboTax Online screen, you'll see a navigation menu. Look for an option titled "Tax Tools." You might need to scroll down a bit to find it.
Expand "Tax Tools": Click on the little carat or arrow next to "Tax Tools" to expand the menu.
Choose "Tools": From the expanded "Tax Tools" menu, select "Tools."
Select "View Tax Summary": A pop-up "Tools Center" will appear. Within this, click on "View Tax Summary."
Preview Your 1040: On the left-hand menu again, you should now see an option like "Preview my 1040." Clicking this will give you a quick look at your primary Form 1040.
Sub-Step 2.3: Printing or Saving Your Full Return (Before Filing)
To see all the forms and worksheets, you typically need to be further along in the filing process, often after you've paid your TurboTax fees (if applicable).
Navigate to the Filing Section: Continue through the interview process until you reach the "File" section of TurboTax.
Look for Print Options: In the "File" section, or sometimes under the "Tax Tools" > "Print Center" menu, you will find options to "Print, save or preview this year's return."
Choose Your Output: When prompted, select the option to "Include government and TurboTax worksheets (optional)" to get the most comprehensive view. You can then choose to print the PDF or save it to your computer.
Important Note: TurboTax Online often requires payment of its fees before it allows you to print or save your complete tax return with all forms. You can preview the 1040 and Schedules 1-3 without paying, but for the full package, payment is usually required.
Step 3: Accessing Your Filed Return (After Filing)
One of the great advantages of TurboTax Online is that it automatically saves PDF copies of your filed returns for up to 7 years.
Sign In to Your Account: Log in to your TurboTax Online account as you did in Step 2.1.
Go to "Tax Home": From your account dashboard, navigate to your "Tax Home."
Find "Your Tax Returns & Documents": Scroll down on the "Tax Home" page until you see a section titled "Your tax returns & documents" or "Access your filed tax returns."
Select the Tax Year: Open the dropdown menu or click to expand this section. You'll see a list of tax years for which you've filed. Select the specific year you want to view.
Download the PDF: You should now see an option to "Download/Print PDF" or something similar for that year's return. Click it to download a complete PDF copy of your filed return, which will include all the forms and schedules. You can then open and print this PDF.
Viewing Forms in TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download)
The desktop version of TurboTax offers a more direct "Forms Mode," which is often preferred by users who want to review the actual IRS forms as they go.
Step 2: Opening Your Tax File
Launch TurboTax Software: Open the TurboTax program on your computer.
Open Your Tax File: Go to the "File" menu at the top of the screen and select "Open Tax Return..." Navigate to where you saved your tax file (it will have a .tax20XX extension, where XX is the tax year, e.g., .tax2024). Select the file and click "Open."
Step 3: Entering Forms Mode
This is where the desktop version shines!
Locate the "Forms" Icon: In the upper right-hand corner of the TurboTax desktop interface, you'll see a prominent button or icon labeled "Forms" (or sometimes it might just be an icon that looks like a stack of papers).
Click to Enter Forms Mode: Click on this "Forms" button. Voila! You will now be in Forms Mode, which displays your tax return as a series of actual IRS forms and schedules.
Sub-Step 3.1: Navigating in Forms Mode
Left Pane: On the left side of the screen, you'll see a list of all the forms that are part of your return (e.g., Form 1040, Schedule A, Schedule C, W-2 Worksheet, etc.).
Right Pane: The main part of the screen will display the actual tax form you've selected from the left pane.
Searching for Forms: You can often use a search bar within Forms Mode to quickly find a specific form by its name or number (e.g., "Schedule C" or "1099-INT").
Drill Down/Data Entry: In Forms Mode, you can click on specific lines or fields on a form to see where the data came from or even directly enter/edit information (though be cautious when doing this, as it can affect calculations and potentially void the accuracy guarantee if not done carefully and correctly).
Step 4: Previewing and Printing Your Return (Desktop)
Whether you're in Forms Mode or the Step-by-Step interview, you can preview and print your return.
Go to the "File" Menu: From the top menu bar, select "File."
Choose "Print": From the dropdown, select "Print" or "Print this return."
Select Print Options: A print dialog box will appear. You'll typically have options like:
Government Forms: Prints only the official IRS forms.
Government Forms and Worksheets: This is the most comprehensive option and will include all the underlying TurboTax worksheets that show how various calculations were made.
Billing Statement: If applicable.
Preview and Print: Select your desired option, then click "Preview" to review it before printing, or click "Print" to send it to your printer. You can also typically choose to print to a PDF file if you want to save a digital copy.
Key Considerations and Tips
Accuracy Guarantee: While viewing forms is helpful, remember that for TurboTax Online, direct entry into forms can sometimes void the accuracy guarantee. It's always best to primarily use the step-by-step interview process to ensure accuracy. For desktop, direct entry into forms does not void the accuracy guarantee, but overriding a calculation does.
Paid Versions vs. Free Edition: The ability to view and print all forms might be restricted in free versions until you pay for the product or service.
Prior Year Returns: Both online and desktop versions generally make it easy to access past years' returns. For desktop, you simply open the relevant .tax20XX file. For online, as mentioned, they are stored in your account for 7 years.
IRS Transcripts: If you need an official record of your tax information directly from the IRS (e.g., for loan applications), you can request tax transcripts (Tax Return Transcript or Tax Account Transcript) from the IRS website for free. This is different from getting a copy of your filed return from TurboTax.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to preview my 1040 form in TurboTax Online without paying?
You can usually preview your Form 1040 (and often Schedules 1-3) in TurboTax Online by going to Tax Tools > Tools > View Tax Summary, and then selecting Preview my 1040 from the left menu. This generally does not require payment.
How to print all government forms and worksheets from TurboTax Desktop?
After opening your return in TurboTax Desktop, go to the File menu, select Print, and then choose the option "Government Forms and Worksheets" from the print dialogue box.
How to find old tax returns filed with TurboTax Online?
Log in to your TurboTax Online account, go to Tax Home, scroll down to "Your tax returns & documents," select the desired tax year, and then click to download the PDF.
How to access "Forms Mode" in TurboTax?
"Forms Mode" is primarily available in TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download) versions. Once your return is open, click on the "Forms" icon in the upper right corner of the screen. TurboTax Online does not have a direct "Forms Mode."
How to save my TurboTax return as a PDF?
In both TurboTax Online and Desktop, when you go to print your return, look for an option to "Print to PDF" or "Save as PDF" instead of sending it to a physical printer.
How to see what forms TurboTax automatically used for my return?
Once you've paid and can print/save your full return in TurboTax Online, or are in Forms Mode in TurboTax Desktop, you can review the entire set of documents to see all the forms and schedules that were generated based on your input.
How to print a copy of my TurboTax return before e-filing?
In TurboTax Online, you typically need to complete payment for the product before you can print your entire return. In TurboTax Desktop, you can print at any time before e-filing using the "Print" option in the File menu.
How to get a copy of a tax return if I no longer have access to my TurboTax account?
If you can't access your TurboTax account, you may need to try to recover your account credentials. Alternatively, you can request tax transcripts directly from the IRS for free using their "Get Transcript" service online or by mail.
How to understand the different forms in my TurboTax return?
TurboTax provides brief explanations for many lines and forms as you go through the interview. For more in-depth understanding, you can search for specific form numbers (e.g., "IRS Form 1040 explanation") on the IRS website or reliable tax resource sites.
How to amend a tax return after viewing the forms in TurboTax?
To amend a return in TurboTax, you typically need to access the "Amend a return" or "Amend a filed return" option within your TurboTax account or software. This will guide you through the process of making changes and generating Form 1040-X.
