I'm trying to get my tax return info from 2017 for a house loan. I try to get my documents it says I need to pay. I'm confused where do I go to pay to get my documents??

[mesquitebean]

Was your 2017 return prepared with Online TurboTax?  If so, log in to your account and look in the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents."   Choose tax year 2017, and look for a link to download/print the PDF.   Do you find evidence of your return there OK, but when you try to download, does it ask you to pay?    If it was prepared in Free Edition last year, access will be locked.   If that's your situation, we can tell you how to pay to unlock the 2017 return.   The method to unlock it depends on what all you have done with your 2018 return.

If you find no evidence at all of your 2017 online return in that account, we can tell you how to look for multiple accounts.    A return prepared in desktop software (CD/download) will not be in an online account.

1. Have you filed a 2018 return in Online TurboTax, or is one in preparation?  Or did you file elsewhere?
2. Was the 2018 return prepared in Free Edition?
3. Is the 2018 return in the SAME account as the 2017 online return?

We can tell you how to unlock a return once you answer all the questions above.

There's also a free option if a return transcript will suit your purpose.  Many loan companies will accept a transcript; you'd have to ask them.  You may be able to immediately download one at the IRS website if you qualify to open an IRS account there.  Otherwise, to order a transcript to come by postal mail takes 5-10 calendar days.
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript

[jerrywood38]

Yes I used the free edition for 2017 and when I go to download/access that document it states pay instantly. I did not use turbo tax for 2018

[mesquitebean]

To unlock the 2017 return you will need to pay for a 2018 Free Edition return in the same account after upgrading it to PLUS (19.99).   You only have to START the 2018 return, upgrade, and pay.  You do NOT have to actually prepare the 2018 return.

• If you haven't already started one, then start a 2018 Free Edition return in the SAME account as the locked 2017 return. 
• After some preliminary screens, you'll arrive at the MY INFO section.
• See if there is an Upgrade link in the left menu column.   If not, you'll need to enter some info into the MY INFO screens until you see an Upgrade link either appear in the left menu column or at the end of the MY INFO section.
• Then click on Upgrade and choose PLUS.   Do NOT upgrade any beyond PLUS, or you'll have problems.
• Once you are in PLUS, then you need to pay.
• In the left menu column click on TAX TOOLS, then PRINT CENTER.
• At the Print Center choose to "Print, save, view THIS  YEAR's return."   (Yes, you say "this year's" because you are paying for the 2018 return to unlock the 2017 return.)   You don't actually have to print it.
• It will ask you to pay.  If the Order Summary appears OK, then choose PAY NOW.
• You can pay by credit card or debit card (even though it only says "credit.")

NOTE:  If it should offer you the choice of paying later out of the Federal refund, that cannot be done for this purpose.  You have to choose PAY NOW.