I cannot access my prior year return. Is there any way to access it through the Turbo Tax even if I downloaded the software to my computer and didn't use Turbo Tax Online

[rhea-heath]

I did e-file with Turbo Tax so I was to be able to access my 2015 return.

[mesquitebean]

So you used the desktop software (CD/download)?    If you prepared the 2015 in the desktop software, did you retain a copy of the *.tax2015 data file or any PDFs?   In the desktop version, all files are stored locally, either on your computer or on any external media on which you might have archived it.

[mesquitebean]

If the 2015 return was prepared on your computer with software, then in addition to the *.tax2015 data file, look for any PDFs you may have created.

[rhea-heath]

Thank you for your help. I used the desktop version, but my computer crashed and we have been unable to restore the backup files so I cannot access the .tax2015 file or my PDF that I saved. I cannot find a paper copy anywhere either.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, in the desktop editions, all tax files are saved locally and possibly on external backup media.

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.