Downloaded pdf of my tax return is not a complete copy. How can I download an actual copy of my returns?

[gisellelfreude]

I actually have a copy of my 2020 return. I compared it to the one downloaded through turbotax and the one downloaded is about 20 percent of the content. It doesn't include any w-2 or other attached forms. How can I download an actual copy of my returns? Do I really need to submit a claim with the IRS? It seems weird that turbotax is not mentioning that it seems to have thrown out a good amount of tax data.

*Update: I do want to clarify that I know the original W-2 forms are not included. There should be a tax summary of the w-2 forms though that is just part of the return. I'm literally telling you guys that I downloaded my 2020 return 2 years ago. I downloaded it again today. I compared them. About 80 percent of the original tax document was stripped from the copy that is available today. THAT is what I want to know about. Why on earth did turbotax delete a huge amount of tax information without informing anyone?

*Update 2: Here's some pictures! Look at the dates and names of the returns and look at the file sizes! What gives? The new download is 27 % the size of the original tax download. So that means 73 percent of the content is missing in the new document.

[xmasbaby0]

Your pdf of the return is not going to include copies of W-2's, 1099's, etc.   TurboTax does not have images or copies of those tax documents.  The information you entered from those documents is in the worksheets, but the actual W-2's etc are not there.  You are supposed to save those documents for your records yourself.

I NEED A COPY OF MY W-2  (or 1099)

 W-2's come from employers.  There is not a federal or national website that provides W-2’s.  

TurboTax does not have a copy of your W-2—the Wage & Tax Statement—issued to you by your employer, (nor does TurboTax have copies of your 1099’s).   You should always save those documents for your own records. You could ask the employer(s) for copies or you can get a copy from Social Security (for a fee of $126).

To get a copy of a W-2 from Social Security https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02501

https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/tools-faqs/faqs-for-individuals/frequently-asked-tax-questions-an...

If you saved a pdf of your completed tax return, the worksheets will show the W-2 information you entered, but not the actual W-2.

You can get a wage and income transcript from the IRS:  It will not show the actual W-2, 1099’s, etc, but will show the income information the IRS received.  It will not, however, show your state information. It will only show the federal information.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Or you can pay the IRS $43 for an actual copy of your tax return which will include copies of your W-2’s     

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2561916-how-can-i-get-a-copy-of-my-w-2

There are over a dozen kinds of 1099's.  A 1099NEC is typically issued by an individual or business for whom you performed work as an independent contractor, so seek a copy from them if you did not save yours.  Many of the other types of 1099's are issued by banks, brokerages and other financial institutions from which you can seek copies.

[VolvoGirl]

What exactly is missing?  Turbo Tax doesn't have copies of the actual W2s or 1099 forms.  Only the info you entered from them.  Are you missing the backup worksheets?  Try downloading it again.  It should have all the worksheets.   

Or maybe you have another account?  How to view all your accounts
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/account-management/many-intuit-accounts-...

It's common to end up with multiple accounts. First LOG OUT of whatever TurboTax account you're logged into right now. Then use this TurboTax account recovery website to get a list of user ID's for an email address. Run the tool against any email addresses you may have used
https://myturbotax.intuit.com/account-recovery/

If you used the Desktop CD/Download program then the only copy is on your computer and not saved or stored online.

[gisellelfreude]

Read my question update. You did not answer my question about what happened.

[gisellelfreude]

I downloaded some copies of my returns from turbotax in 2022. I downloaded my 2019 and 2020 returns. Today I wanted my 2018 return so I went and downloaded from turbotax. I was baffled because it was so short. So I downloaded my 2020 and 2021 returns AGAIN. I compared the new copies to the ones I had from before. The new copies were highly abbreviated, about 80 percent less content than the original copies I had. How am I the only one noticing this? It looks very much like turbotax has deleted large swaths of tax data with no consent. If I had known they would do that, I would have downloaded all my data. I may need to go to the IRS now to get a full copy of my 2018 return. Not the worst thing. I'm just probably not gonna use turbotax ever again.

[Critter-3]

The TT program used to archive and make available the PDF file of the return as filed without all the excess unneeded worksheets that make up the bulk of the PDF file with the worksheets.  And folks complained.  So the last couple of years the ONLY PDF file you can download after that tax year's filing season ends is the larger one that includes all the meaningless worksheets.

Now you can download the amendment program and the .taxfile  for that tax year and open up that return the using the Print center tool you can save the PDF with and without the worksheets.