I’m trying to access my 2016 tax return but it won’t let me.

[mesquitebean]

Have you located the 2016 return, but access is locked, and it asks you to pay?  If so, we can tell you how to upgrade a 2018 Free Edition return to PLUS and pay the 19.99 by credit/debit card to unlock the prior returns.   

Have you already started a 2018 return, and if so, in what edition?   And is the 2016 return in the SAME account as your 2018 return?

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 this 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>

[KatrinaLO]

To access your prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the User ID you used to create the account (https://myturbotax.intuit.com/) then scroll down and find the section Your tax returns & documents and click on Show.  Click the year you need access to and Click on Download/print return (PDF) or View adjusted gross income (AGI). You can also get free transcripts of your federal return from the IRS - http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript.

To access a prior year online tax return and you did not use TurboTax for the 2017 tax return or you did not pay for one of the 2017 online editions, you will need to start a 2018 Free online tax return and then Upgrade and pay for the Plus edition.  

Go to this TurboTax website for the 2018 online editions - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

You have to sign onto the 2018 account using the exact same User ID you used to create the prior year online tax return.  Enter your personal information in the 2018 Free edition. On the left side of the screen click on Upgrade.  Scroll down and select PLUS More Help & Tools.  Click on Upgrade Now (if Plus is grayed out then you are already using Plus and only need to pay for the upgrade)

To pay the TurboTax online account fees by credit card so you can access your prior year online tax returns, click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen.  Then click on Print Center.  Then click on Print, save or preview this year's return.  On the next page, to pay by credit card, click Pay Now.  On the next screen just click on the Continue button.  The next screen will show a review of your Fees, click on Continue.  Complete the next screen to pay by credit card and click Continue.