I am having a great deal of difficulty getting a copy on line of my 2015 returns

[mesquitebean]

Was the 2015 return prepared in Free Edition, and when you try to view/download, does it say it is locked until you upgrade and pay?

Or do you see no evidence at all of the 2015 return in the 2015 Tax Timeline?

And what is the story on your 2016 return?  Have you started a 2016 online return yet, and if so, in what edition?

[boudreau-paul]

My 2015 returns were made out using a paid for CD. However when I try to retrieve a copy of my returns, it attempts to sell me a program. All I want is access to an online copy of last year's returns.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

If you used the desktop version (CD/download) to prepare your 2015 returns, then they will not be in an online Tax Timeline.   The desktop version stores the files locally on your computer.

Search your entire system for any file ending in *.tax2015, which is the data file. Also search for any PDF files of your 2015 return that you may have saved.

If you don't find any 2015 tax files on your computer, you can download a free 2015 tax return transcript at this IRS website:

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript 

A copy of the actual return from the IRS costs $50 and takes several weeks.