Can't access old version of turbo tax to get returns

[rogerf]

Hi all,

I filed my taxes in 2016 with turbotax and now I want my 2015 returns.

When clicking on the 2015 returns it says I need to purchase the product, which I already did in 2016.

When I go to My Downloads, it shows there there are no associated downloads with my account.

What's going here? Do I need to re purchase turbo tax 2016 to access my 2015 returns?

Thanks!

Roger

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

To access prior year online tax returns you must have used and paid for one of the 2016 online editions of either Plus, Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed.  You must sign onto the the TurboTax online account using the exact same User ID you used to create the account.  Access to the prior year online accounts is good through October 2018.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for when access to the online accounts expire - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3355524-when-does-access-to-my-prior-year-turbotax-online-returns-...

If you did not use and pay for one of the 2016 edtions, then you will need to start a 2017 online tax return with the Free edition and then upgrade to the Plus edition.  You would then need to pay for the Plus edition upgrade so you will have access to the prior year online tax returns through October 2019.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for upgrading to Plus - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586262-how-do-i-purchase-turbotax-plus-so-i-can-get-my-tax-file

You can also get free transcripts of your federal return from the IRS - http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript

[mudflap]

Access to prior years pdf file shouldn't require you to pay again. This is bad business practice. If the pdf was automatically emailed when filed, that would be different I suppose, however they are not. (or at least weren't in the past) I normally downloaded them and store them. It appears I did not for the 2015 file which was done through TT online and paid the premium version.  If I can still sign on with the same account used to file in the past, I should have access to the pdf that was filed without having to pay again.

[redpower]

Definitely feeling scammed here.