I have been having this issue as well this evening. Will try again in the morning and see if it's resolved.

Are you still having difficulty downloading your returns? I tested this morning and was able to download. Please let us know if you continue to have trouble.

Thanks!

Hi can I get some assistance with this please. I’ve followed all the steps and still can’t download previous returns. Thanks 

I am having this same issue! I'm so frustrated by the instructions that lead me in circles. All I want to do is download my 2016 returns. I'm in my account, but when I click download it tells me to register.  The help article is no help at all. Any advice would be welcomed.

Did you follow all the steps listed here : 

How do I access a prior year return?

You’ll need to register first if you don’t already have access to your prior year returns under Your tax returns & documents as you sign in to TurboTax.

Before starting, make sure you’re using the same TurboTax account (with the same username) as previous years.

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 Start.
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:

• Why can't I find my return in Tax Home or My Docs™?
• Forgot your TurboTax Online User ID or password?
• Account Recovery Request for your TurboTax Account
• How do I get a copy of a return I filed this year in TurboTax Online?

Here are screenshots of what's happening:

1. I'm in my account and can see all the years I did my returns in TurboTax. I click on 2016. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iyI5sP17ZaIKGkmVnGWP7nR1LsduIgxL/view?usp=sharing

2. I click on download a previous year, and select the reason I want to download- and click the download button: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FpfUVMIvtymJECgmuCQY1bKxw5A1S0uR/view?usp=sharing

3. I get a message that I need to register and it takes me to a help page: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19Qt362FvqagOlNlY-TkAQgyFS0_PdVud/view?usp=sharing

The instructions are of no help because I'm already in my account. 

4. Then I somehow found myself on a page that tells me I need to pay to access my returns: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18MfzIWq41sOLdpt4TDUWpVBCgHeyEwh3/view?usp=sharing

5. When I click on "follow these instructions" it takes me right back to the same help page on how to access my previous years returns.

So, any help would be super appreciated.

And YES, I followed instructions given on the pages. As you can see from my previous reply, it leads me in circles.

I hope you had success since they changed the rules and you no longer have to upgrade to PLUS ... I think you had cookie issues with your browser. 

No success. I cleared my history/cookies -- still same issue. I tried both Chrome and Safari...  no luck :(

@lisardragonfly 

Contact TurboTax support for assistance with the problems you are having in accessing your 2016 online tax return.

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

Few have had issues ... I would clear your cookies and/or switch browsers.  

@Critter  as I already mentioned, I have cleared my history/cookies and have used both Chrome and Safari so your advice is a moot point 🙂 

Then contact support for assistance.

still having issues

I also can not download past tax returns. I log into turbo tax online and see Previous Taxes. When I click on Previous Taxes all of my past taxes are visible. However, when I click on Download/print return (PDF), then click the Download button after specifying my reason for wanting to download, I get: "To download your past Turbo Tax returns, you need to register your account first". 

I am already registered and logged in. How can I get the past tax returns I need?

Did you register a 2019 online account?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/01/27010 

Thank you; once I registered for 2019 I got access to my past tax documents. 

It is an awkward user experience having to register for 2019 in order to access past tax documents. I think a lot of users will be confused because they already have an account and are able to see the documents.

Thanks again for your help.

This is actually easier than prior tax years where you also had to pay for PLUS or better to unlock the prior year returns.  

i keep getting the same message it asks me to register and will not let me download the past tax return

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@bryantharl158 wrote:

i keep getting the same message it asks me to register and will not let me download the past tax return

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Contact TurboTax support for assistance with the problems you are having in accessing your online tax return.

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

Yes, several times. And it just keeps taking me in circles

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@Megan4847 wrote:

Yes, several times. And it just keeps taking me in circles

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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

Here is an important piece which is lacking.  I too had issues downloading 2017 due to needing to register.  What they fail to mention is the only way to register is to complete a 2019 Return.  I added as little info as needed to get through the return. Once I completed Fed and State, I got the option to register.  Please note; No, you don’t need to file and I’m not sure I need to do state, I just blew through it as a precaution.  Once done, I successfully downloaded my 2017 return 

I am also unable to download a previous tax return.  Keeps getting directed to register first but cant get past that link.