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Level 1

Question

Cannot access previous year's tax returns.

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
December 20, 2019
17 replies
37 views

I need to access my 2017 tax return for the FAFSA for college and I am running out of time. It keeps telling me that I need to "register." Obviously, I already have an account that I can log in to. I use the free service and always have been. I have attempted to "file" taxes in order to get over to some registration window, but since I already have an account, there is no registration.

Do not send me this topic link. It does absolutely nothing to help whatsoever.

I am not going to file this year's taxes just yet, so there's a lot of information I didn't even put in this tax return just to try to find this "register account" nonsense, which I never managed to find anyway.

Unless they changed their stuff around, there's no way this should be happening. I am beyond infuriated; my patience is running extremely thin right now. At this rate, I do not expect to be using Turbo Tax in the future, and will discourage my friends and family from using it as well.

TurboTax

Show previous replies

marymozer

Level 2

TurboTax customer service is non existent. We need to make a report to the better business bureau because they get you with "free filing" but when you need your records and come back to get your previous year tax filing records they do not make it user friendly at all. The site is setup where you are forced to file again with them in order to supposedly see your records. Turbotax is only geared to having you file they make it extremely easy to file but not to retrieve previous filings that you have already filed with them. I need my 2018 tax filing that I filed with TurboTax but they only tease you with your previous year filing with the basic info of your previous year employers name and wave it in front of you but don't give you the option to download or obtain a complete copy of it. They only wave the basic info of your previous to get you to file again with them but not to help you if you need it for other reasons. Extremely frustrating and honestly very deceiving and does not seem right! I'll for sure give my opinion to all my friends and Family and whoever I can give it to not to ever file your taxes with TurboTax they get you with the "free filing" but are terrible at providing customer service when you need your data or your own copy of records. TO ALL WATCH OUT this is not feeling like it's good practices!

DoninGA

Level 15

@marymozer You do Not have to file a 2019 tax return to gain access to prior year online tax returns. Nor do you have to pay for a 2019 online tax return to gain access to prior year online tax returns.

All you need to do is Register the 2019 online account to gain access to prior year online tax returns.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for accessing prior year online tax returns - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/01/270...

BenlevineNC

Level 2

Hello, this is a terribly scammy process. I just want my returns I paid for.

DoninGA

Level 15

@BenlevineNC wrote:

Hello, this is a terribly scammy process. I just want my returns I paid for.

What scam? All you need to do is Register the 2019 online account. You do NOT have to pay for the 2019 account or FILE the 2019 tax return. You only need to register the 2019 account and then you will have access to the prior year online tax returns.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for accessing prior year online tax returns - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/01/270...

thawk0603

Level 2

Yall gave all this info but failed to mention that when you call, you still get the same BS runaround about having to pay. Bottom line is I cant get my 2018 return. Regardless of whether I pay or not. For unfortunate souls like myself, I backed my return on a laptop that was not connected to the cloud or any other backup drive so basically I have shxt. Thanks. I'll never use this shxtty product again.

pthodges521

Level 2

For all those that are throwing up links and suggesting contacting Intuit for support... apparently you have never had to use their own advice. Five phone attempts, to which I cannot get past the 2 question without it saying it cant help me and hanging up. 15 live chat attempts to which I get the same results, unable to connect you to a person. I will never use this product again and will be darn sure I share my dissatisfaction with anyone I can.

Critter

Level 15

TurboTax Online

Sign in to TurboTax Online if you're not already signed in.
Select Search in the upper-right corner and then Contact us.
Enter your question, select Let's talk.
Select Get the number then follow the instructions to call us
- Free Edition (without PLUS): When you select Talk to a specialist, you'll be asked to add PLUS benefits first.

The above is the best and most efficient way for you to connect with the right person so that you can get the help you need. If you still require assistance, you can contact us at (800) 446-8848.

kwkris

Level 2

EXACT SAME SITUATION HERE!!! I'm going in circles and it's infuriating! Have you found a solution yet???

TiffanyL

Level 11

If you used TurboTax to file your prior year return, you would want to make sure you are using the same TurboTax account as in the prior years. This link should be able to assist you with accessing that return:

How to access prior year return

If you still find yourself stuck and in a loop, you can always reach out to customer service for assistance using the link provided below:

TurboTax Customer Service

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Bentlywins

Level 2

I was able to access last year returns today it only comes up as if I never filed out. I believe my PC is no longer able to access the data Not sure what I am going to do.

I did up the data 2 weeks ago when I know it was OK. We will see when I try yo get to it

TiffanyL

Level 11

If you filed your previous year return with TurboTax, you would want to make sure you are using the same TurboTax account as in prior years. You can then access your prior year return using the Documents tab in the navigation. The link provided below can assist you further:

How to access my prior year return

If you still can't find it in Tax Home or My Docs, you can use the link provided below for assistance or you can get a free tax return transcript or an exact copy of your return directly from the IRS:

Why can't I find my return in Tax Home or My Docs

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

jcweenig

Level 2

I'll add what worked for me onto this dumpster fire of a thread.

Login to TurboTax with the ID/username that you used for the previous years returns
You have to wait for the login animation to complete
Scroll down and you will see the text "No changes? Just select Continue"
Select Continue
You're now presented with the cornucopia of TurboTax packages/services
Scroll to the bottom
There's an option "Your tax returns & documents", click "Show"
This will present previous years tax returns. Select the year.
Click the option "Download/print return (PDF)"
Select "Applying for a loan"
Select "Student loan"
Select "Download my return"

Or do what others have suggested and download it from the IRS. I didn't try downloading from IRS.

20letcher

Level 2

I guess i need to bar turbo taxes from all records I have and tell others. I ask a simple question how to down load last three years taxes. I keep getting other screens to fill out, getting flustrated. Help