How do I buy turbotax with starting a new return to print 2016 info

[mesquitebean]

Well, you could buy 2018 desktop software, which also qualifies to unlock a 2016 return, but that is more expensive.  The minimum to unlock prior returns is PLUS at 19.99.   To do that you have to minimally start a 2018 online return in Free Edition and pay 19.99 for a PLUS upgrade.

Was your 2016 return prepared in Online TurboTax, and have you located it in your account in the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents"?   And is access locked and it asks you to pay?

If so, the method to automatically unlock it is to minimally start a 2018 Free Edition return in the SAME account, just long enough to upgrade to PLUS and pay the 19.99 by credit/debit card.   You don't actually have to prepare the 2018 return.   Have you already started a 2018 return?

We can tell you all the steps on how to start one, upgrade, and pay.  

Be aware there's a free option if a tax return transcript would suit your purpose. You may be able to immediately download a 2016 return transcript at the IRS website at the link below.  If you don't qualify to open a free IRS account there, you can order one to come by postal mail, which normally takes 5-10 calendar days.   
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript">http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript</a>

[heavyd0429]

I just need my state info it was rejected and never filed

[mesquitebean]

Here's how to unlock access to your 2016 return.   If you haven't already started one, you must start a 2018 Free Edition return in the SAME account as the locked 2016 return, upgrade to PLUS, and pay.  Here are all the steps:

• Log in and if you haven't already started one, then start a new 2018 return in Free Edition.
  
• Answer some preliminary screens, and you will eventually come to the My Info section. At that point go to the left menu column and click on Upgrade.
  
• It may ask you to fill out a screen in the Personal Info section first.  So do that.  You can either continue completing the rest of the My Info section, if you wish, and at the end of that section it will eventually ask you if you want to upgrade to PLUS.  Or after filling out the first screen of personal info, you can go back to the left menu column and click Upgrade again, and this time it should let you upgrade.
• NOTE:  If the PLUS option is grayed out, that means you are already in PLUS.  Do not upgrade any farther, or you'll have problems.
• So once in PLUS, you need to pay for it.
• While the return is still open, click in the left menu column on Tax Tools, then choose Print Center.
• Then choose "Print/save/preview this year's return."  (Yes, you say "this year's" since you are paying for the 2018 return to unlock the prior returns.) You won't actually have to print the 2018 return.
  
• On the next screen choose to "Pay now".
• The next screen should be an Order Summary.  Review that, and if all is OK, click Continue.
• It should then prompt you for payment by credit or debit card.  The screen only says "credit card", but it will take a debit card.
  

NOTE:  If it should offer you the option to "pay later" out of the Federal refund, that can't be used for this unlocking purpose.  You will need to pay now by credit/debit card.

NOTE:  Remember all PDF tax documents and data files are very sensitive files, since they contain your personal ID info, financial data, and possibly bank account numbers, etc.  Be sure to store them safely and securely to guard against computer theft, hacking, etc.