I got a letter saying I didn't file my state taxes for 2018, but I have emails from Turbotax that year saying I filed. Need more help finding prior year returns

[vrcavanagh]

I looked at the FAQ already, but can't find the 'documents' tab in the navigation where I can apparently find prior year returns. I have the emails from the correct year, I just can't find a way to access the filings.

[VolvoGirl]

You looked at this FAQ?  How to Access prior year online returns
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/00/270...

If you can't get the side menus to open up to access the prior year..... You need to start entering some basic Personal Info in 2022 for the side menu to open up. Just continue a little ways into 2022. I had to go though about 12 screens.

If you used the Desktop CD/Download program then the only copy is on your computer and not saved or stored online. So you need to make and keep your own backups.

Or request a transcript from the IRS
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Or get a copy of your return using form 4506
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

[xmasbaby0]

Does the letter say you did not file the state return----or does it say you did not PAY your state tax due?   Your only proof that you paid the state will be your own credit card or bank account records.  TurboTax never knows if you paid your tax due.  TurboTax will only show in your account whether you owed or were supposed to get a refund.  Your account shows the results of the returns you prepared, but not whether you paid the IRS or state.

  You have to access your own account and/or  print it for yourself using exactly the same account and user ID that you used when you prepared the return.

Start a 2022 return online and enter some personal information  so that the menu on the left opens up and lets you access your past year returns.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/01/270...

Many people have multiple TT accounts and forget how to access them.  Log out of the account you are in now.

Account Recovery

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901535-forgot-your-turbotax-online-user-id-or-password

Or did you use the desktop version of TurboTax?  If so, the files are on your own hard drive or any backup device you used like a flash drive.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901486-how-many-turbotax-accounts-do-i-have

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901659-find-your-tax-data-file-in-mac

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900721-find-your-tax-data-file-tax-file-in-windows

To get a copy of your previously filed returns prepared with online TurboTax https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900748-how-do-i-get-a-copy-of-a-return-i-filed-in-turbotax-online

SAVE YOUR TAX RETURN !

EVERY year before mid-October you should save a copy of your tax return as a pdf and print a copy of it for your records.  That way you will not be searching online frantically when you need it for a lender, FAFSA forms, your next tax return, etc. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900937-why-should-i-save-a-pdf-copy-of-my-return

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899779-what-s-the-difference-between-the-tax-data-file-and-the-pd...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1912466-how-do-i-save-my-return-as-a-pdf-in-the-turbotax-software-... •

NOTE:  TurboTax and the IRS save return for seven years.  Returns older than seven years are purged.

[vrcavanagh]

Thanks for the info. The letter says 'we have not received your New York State income tax return for the year above' (2018.) I find it odd because I know I filed federal & state together....I went through the personal info screens and then got to the point where I can't view past documents without paying for PLUS.....I guess the best option now is to go through my credit card records, although I usually end up getting owed money for state filing, or I did for most of the years during that time.

[xmasbaby0]

You do not have to pay for PLUS to get to your old returns.   If you did not file a 2022 return then you just need to start a 2022 return and put in enough information so that the side menu opens up and lets you get to the old returns.  You do have to be in the correct account or you will not find the old return.  The replies above tell you how to use the recovery tools and find the old returns.