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Level 4
posted Jan 23, 2023 8:24:54 AM

Downloading 2021 Return

I wanted to print my 2021 return, but when I downloaded it, I ended up with a 119 page PDF file.  My Federal and State returns are simple, since I took standard deductions.  I don't want to print that many pages.  I just need the important stuff for my records.  Is there a better way other than selecting certain pages to print?  Thanks in advance for your help.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jan 23, 2023 1:30:19 PM

@DenverDad 

 

Yes, you can save the PDF with just the filing copy...but right now, only for 2022 taxes

BUT not for 2021 and prior years..

_______________

What's going on?

During the active time for preparing and filing a particular year's tax return, you can save just the PDF of the filing copy.  Thus, for 2022 taxes that we are working on, you can save a PDF of your bare-minimum filing forms, but just up until mid-late October of 2023.

 

After October, of each tax preparation year, TTX archives only the full thing....with all the backup worksheets....and that's the only choice you have from then on.

(Yes...we'd love it if TTX would do the programming to allow the smaller PDF at any time in the future, but they haven't done so ...yet) 

 

Thus, you should save a PDF every year right after your e-file has been accepted and that will be just the smaller filing copy.

7 Replies
Level 15
Jan 23, 2023 8:26:52 AM

Nope.  Open the pdf in your reader and select the pages you want to print.  That should be straight forward and not  hard.  

Level 4
Jan 23, 2023 8:57:48 AM

I was afraid that would be the answer. Since the type is so small and I have no idea which pages I need to print, I guess I’ll just have to save the file in a flash drive or something.  

I appreciate your reply though.  Thanks so much. 

Level 4
Jan 23, 2023 1:07:57 PM

I’m pretty sure that, in years past, (not last year) after I completed my return, TurboTax gave me the option of printing my return, but it wasn’t this many pages. It was like just the sections you would need for record keeping or in case you were audited.  I guess they discontinued that. 

Level 15
Jan 23, 2023 1:30:19 PM

@DenverDad 

 

Yes, you can save the PDF with just the filing copy...but right now, only for 2022 taxes

BUT not for 2021 and prior years..

_______________

What's going on?

During the active time for preparing and filing a particular year's tax return, you can save just the PDF of the filing copy.  Thus, for 2022 taxes that we are working on, you can save a PDF of your bare-minimum filing forms, but just up until mid-late October of 2023.

 

After October, of each tax preparation year, TTX archives only the full thing....with all the backup worksheets....and that's the only choice you have from then on.

(Yes...we'd love it if TTX would do the programming to allow the smaller PDF at any time in the future, but they haven't done so ...yet) 

 

Thus, you should save a PDF every year right after your e-file has been accepted and that will be just the smaller filing copy.

Level 4
Jan 23, 2023 2:10:56 PM

Thank you so much. Now I know I wasn’t dreaming.  I really appreciate you taking the time to explain it all. 

New Member
Feb 13, 2023 2:42:30 PM

Need to download and print a copy of my 2021 return. How do I do this?

Level 15
Feb 13, 2023 2:44:20 PM


@crazydave1948 wrote:

Need to download and print a copy of my 2021 return. How do I do this?


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

 

Start the 2022 online tax return by entering some personal information then click on Tax Home on the left side of the screen.

 

On the Tax Home webpage -

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

 

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.

 

Or go to this IRS website for free federal tax return transcripts - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

For a fee of $43 you can get a complete federal tax return from the IRS by completing Form 4506 - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf