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New Member
posted Dec 20, 2019 10:10:44 AM

Cannot access previous year's tax returns.

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.

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24 Replies
Level 15
Dec 20, 2019 10:53:37 AM

The link does not tell you to file a tax return, only register the 2019 account using the same User ID you used for the prior year account.

 

If you are having a problem registering your 2019 account, then contact TurboTax support for assistance.

 

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/
Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

Level 1
Dec 20, 2019 12:45:28 PM

I am having the same issue.  I am trying to get a copy of my 2016 return and the instructions do not work.  I find this process very frustrating. 

New Member
Dec 23, 2019 10:51:33 AM

Just had this same issue. Couldn't figure it out through Turbo Tax but ended up going to the IRS website and looking at the transcripts which you can view automatically and for free. This should have all the info you need to fill out FAFSA. I hope this helped! Good luck

Level 1
Dec 24, 2019 3:38:54 PM

Dear Poster,

I cannot agree with you more. Turbo Tax support and documentation is the worst. I will not use this product again. I will also encourage my friends and family (and there are a lot of them) to discontinue use of this product. I know Intuit will never see or read this, but it is their doing that I leaving them.

 

Merry Christmas 

Level 15
Dec 24, 2019 3:46:03 PM

Everyone who is complaining about simply following the instructions to just register the account to get access to the prior year returns should be happy they no longer also charge you $20 for this function like they have in the past.   Follow the instructions which work perfectly to register the 2019 account to access all returns in that account for FREE ... and once you have access save a PDF of ALL the prior year returns while it is still FREE as this situation is subject to change anytime.  

New Member
Dec 26, 2019 12:39:34 PM

Went through the registration and restarted. Still getting the same replay.

Level 15
Dec 26, 2019 2:16:38 PM

If you are having a problem registering your 2019 account, then contact TurboTax support for assistance.

 

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/
Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

Level 1
Dec 29, 2019 12:44:22 AM

How do I file for 2018

Level 15
Dec 29, 2019 6:43:10 AM

How to prepare a prior year return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-prepare-a-prior-year-tax-return/00/25...

Or If you have a simple return You can fill out the blank forms for free.
Here is the new IRS 2018 Form 1040
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf
And instructions 
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf
2018 Tax and EIC Tables 
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040tt.pdf

IRS 2018 Schedules 1 thru 6
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s1.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s2.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s3.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s4.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s5.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s6.pdf

Don’t forget your state. And you will have to print and mail your returns.  So be sure to attach copies of your W2s and any 1099s that have withholding on them.  You have to mail federal and state in separate envelopes because they go to different places.  Get a tracking number from the post office when you mail them for proof of filing.

Returning Member
Dec 29, 2019 11:16:15 AM

Have you figured this out?  I'm having the same issue!  Any help would be amazing.

Level 15
Dec 29, 2019 11:18:17 AM


@Kevinallen22 wrote:

Have you figured this out?  I'm having the same issue!  Any help would be amazing.


Contact TurboTax support for this problem

Support is open from 5am to 5pm Pacific time, Monday thru Friday (closed New Year's Day)

 

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/
Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

Level 1
Dec 31, 2019 11:34:46 AM

what are the instructions to do this feat of registering my account.  I paid money.  I looked everywhere for 'register'

Level 15
Dec 31, 2019 11:36:09 AM


@jspoonertx wrote:

what are the instructions to do this feat of registering my account.  I paid money.  I looked everywhere for 'register'


To access your current or prior year tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the userID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and on the section Your tax returns & documents click on Show.  Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)

 

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...

 

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created.  TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

New Member
Dec 31, 2019 8:37:26 PM

Me personally I always keep the last 3 years on file in my home. If anyone's going to ask you it's going to be for the last three years as I've worked in Human Resources before. But don't stress if you can't get it off of TurboTax you can always go straight through the IRS and Prince everything off their website or go to an IRS office and they will print it for you. My suggestion is to get the last 3 years always always always keep that on file.

Level 1
Jan 2, 2020 11:18:44 AM

Thank you.  I posted my question because this isn't working for me.  I get stuck at 'you need to register your account'.  I can't seem to register.   I paid for software.  What next? I clicked on the link to ask for an email but it says that takes 45 days.

New Member
Jan 2, 2020 11:29:38 AM

I'm having a similar problem, the only thing happening is higher blood pressure. I've files the last 5 years and will not use this again

Level 15
Jan 2, 2020 12:12:31 PM

@Bj011219  @jspoonertx 

 

As been posted

several

times on the thread of this particular message -

 

Contact TurboTax support for assistance with this problem

 

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/
Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

Level 2
Jan 2, 2020 1:01:20 PM

WHY THE HECK DO I NEED TO EMAIL TURBO TAX TO GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION??????????? THE INFORMATION BELONGS TO ME, I PAID FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! GIVE US THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS SO WE CAN ACCESS OUR INFORMATION FROM LAST YEAR WITHOUT CONTACTING CUSTOMER CARE DURRING BUSINESS HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!! CLEARLY PEOPLE ARE GETTING MAD!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW I AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOUR SNIPPY ATTITUDE IS NOT HELPFUL, ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU????????????????

Level 15
Jan 2, 2020 1:07:37 PM

@Pamela3 

To access your current or prior year tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the userID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and on the section Your tax returns & documents click on Show.  Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)

 

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...

 

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created.  TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

 

As previously stated -

If you are having a problem with this procedure contact TurboTax support for assistance

Support is open from 5am to 5pm Pacific time, Monday thru Friday

 

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

On the contact website edit the product to CD/Download and the Edition to Deluxe.  On the following screen enter your personal information and the click on the blue button labeled

Get Phone Number


Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

Level 2
Jan 2, 2020 1:09:11 PM

THE INFORMATION BELONGS TO ME I N EED IT NOW NOT IN A FEW DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Level 2
Jan 2, 2020 1:11:33 PM

I AM SIGNED IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I THINK WE ALL ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GIVE ME ACCESS TO MY INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Level 15
Jan 2, 2020 5:03:36 PM

@Pamela3 No one in this user forum has access to your account or your tax returns.  We are not keeping them from you.  You have to follow the instructions that have been provided to you in order to access your account and your returns.

Returning Member
Jan 2, 2020 5:09:28 PM

I actually talked to a rep and all I got was "I never seen this problem before and I do not know how to get this resolved. I will ask my boss tomorrow." so why has this been happening to a lot of people and why cant we actually download them? I know the make sure you are logged into the account and all that and the bad thing is that I actually upgraded my account to deluxe to make sure that I would be able to download the older files and to my surprise I just got the instructions that I have to wait up to 45 days for a email with my previous taxes.

Level 15
Jan 2, 2020 5:47:12 PM

How do I access a prior year return?

 

Before starting, make sure you’re using the same TurboTax account (with the same username) as previous years. If you already have access to your prior year returns, they’ll be under Your tax returns & documents on the first screen you see when you sign in to TurboTax.

 

You can access a prior year return per new data standards by following the below steps. Keep in mind, it can take a few days for your information to be sent to you.

  1. Sign in to your TurboTax account.
  2. Select Intuit Account in the left-hand menu.
  3. Scroll down to Data & Privacy and select Continue next to Download.
  4. After making sure you’re in the right Intuit account, select Continue.
  5. Then select the data you want to download and follow the on-screen
  6. Once you’re done, an email will be sent to you within a few days with the information you’ve requested.

Another way to access a prior year return

 

If you’re planning to file with TurboTax this year, you’ll get access to your prior year returns through Your tax returns & documents after you register with TurboTax.

To access:

  1. Choose TurboTax Free Edition when starting if you haven't already done so.
  2. Follow the screens and provide some personal info.
  3. When you’ve reached the Personal info summary screen, select Continue.
  4. Then, select File in the left-hand menu (this is just a step in order to register, you won’t actually be filing).
  5. Continue until you get to Review your order and select 
  6. Select View payment options.
  7. Then continue until you get to the registration screen.
  8. Enter your info and select Register, then Continue.
  9. Go to Tax Home in the left-hand menu.
  10. Under Your tax returns & documents, go to Download/print return (PDF) (select Show if not visible).

Related Information: