I had to re-install my operating system. When I did, I lost all my past tax returns. When to turbotax and click on previous years it doesn't offer past returns.

[Anonymous]

When I go to a previous year like 2017, it only asks me to upload documents. It doesn't offer me my return for that year.

[VolvoGirl]

Did you use the Online versions?  Are you in the right account?  It's common to end up with multiple accounts. First LOG OUT of whatever TurboTax account you're logged into right now. Then use this TurboTax account recovery website to get a list of user ID's for an email address. Run the tool against any email addresses you may have used
https://myturbotax.intuit.com/account-recovery/

If you used the Desktop CD/Download program then the only copy is on your computer and not saved or stored online.

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

[VolvoGirl]

Oh and you might need to enter some basic 2021 info for the menus to open up. Have you done 2021 yet?

[rjs]

You have to clarify whether you used TurboTax Online or the CD/Download TurboTax software for the past years that you are looking for.

The tag below your question indicates that you are using TurboTax Online. If that's what you used for the past years, reinstalling your operating system has nothing to do with it. If you can't find your past tax returns you are probably signing in to the wrong TurboTax Online account. VolvoGirl told you how to get a list of all your accounts.

If you used the CD/Download TurboTax software for the past years, the tax returns are only on your own computer. You cannot access them in TurboTax Online. If you have the tax return data files (*.taxyyyy) on your computer, you have to reinstall the TurboTax software for each year in order to open the old returns. But when you start the reinstalled TurboTax program, it will not automatically find the old files. You have to click "Find a Tax File" and navigate to where the file is saved. Also, if your tax return files include a state tax return, you have to reinstall the state software before you can open the file.

[SteamTrain]

Hold on now  (though the full situation isn't exactly clear yet)

...The screen instructions to upload some document indicates you are clicking in the wrong area.

____________________

1) Assuming you used the "Online" software in the prior year  (and not the CD/download software) 

and

2)  Assuming you are in the exact same account as you used in 2017

and

3)  If you have at least started some of your 2021 tax return in that same account

__________________________

Do NOT click on "Documents" in the left-side screen.

Click on "Tax Home" on the left side, then scroll down to "Your tax returns & documents" on the Rt-side of the screen....expand that to find each of the prior year's sets data that you may have in that account.

[Anonymous]

I want to thank all who have offered advice. I figured it out and got it corrected. Regards, Michael