I need help accessing my 2017 tax forms so I can finish filing.

[kitch6]

I did all the forms for 2017 on Turbo Tax online and was finished except for filing.  I was waiting for an EIN number.  How can I download what has been completed?

[mesquitebean]

Have you located the 2017 return in the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents" when you choose tax year 2018?  And if so, what happens when you click on "Download/print the PDF?"    Does it ask you to pay?     Or do you find no evidence of the 2017 return at all in that account?

We can tell you more once you answer all those questions.

By the way, next to your screen name above, it is showing "Live Deluxe."  Is that the product that you intend to use for your 2018 return?  The Live portion of your product allows you to contact an expert for Live tax help and return preparation help from a CPA/EA tax pro.   It also includes a final review of your return, which they sign.

Live Deluxe is currently 119.99 for a Federal return and 44.99 for a state return.   Be aware that if you choose to pay the fees out of the Federal refund, there is an additional 39.99 service fee (44.99 for California filers.)

[kitch6]

I did locate the 2017 return when I signed in to 2018.  When I clicked on 2017 it said I need to pay.  I can't figure out how to pay.  The file was complete with the exception of printing and mailing because I needed a 1310 form.  I did choose Live Deluxe because I am filing for my deceased mother and need additional help.

[mesquitebean]

The way to unlock a prior return is to pay for a 2018 product in the SAME account as the locked 2017 return.   I can tell you how to do that.  It will probably ask you to pay the 119.99 for the Live Deluxe Federal.   Before doing that, make SURE the 2017 and 2018 returns are in the same account.   I'll leave the steps below in a couple minutes.

[mesquitebean]

Oh, there's something else first.  You mentioned a deceased mother.   "Whose" return is the 2017 return--is that yours?  And "whose" return is the 2018 return in that account?    And did the 2017 data flow into your 2018 return in that account when you started the 2018 return?  i.e., did "your" 2017 data transfer into "your" 2018 return, or did "your" info transfer into your mother's 2018 return?

Be aware that you can only prepare one 2018 return in that account.  If you prepare your mother's return in that account, then you'll need to use a new account for you, or vice versa.   Since it's "your" account, it will mess up your own account continuity if you prepare the mother's return in it.

[kitch6]

SO I just downloaded 2017turbotax onto my computer and paid  $84 for that download with credit card.  The 2017 and 2018 are under my deceased mothers name. I opened the 2017 turbo tax and logged in.  I selected previous tax return 2017 and it asked me to pay again.  I have just put $84 on my cc to purchase and download 2017.  I am frustrated.

[mesquitebean]

Purchasing a 2017 product does not automatically unlock any online returns.  As I explained above, you have to purchase a 2018 Online product in the same account to automatically unlock a return, or if not using Online TurboTax, a 2018 desktop product (and then phone Support).  

You could phone Customer Support during business hours and see if they will unlock the 2017 return on the basis of your 2017 software purchase.  It will depend how rigid they are in enforcing their protocol.  I can tell you how to contact them.

Actually since you have Live Deluxe you could contact them through that.  

Or if you know you plan to use 2018 Online TurboTax in Live Deluxe, I can tell you how to go ahead and pay for the 2018 product to unlock all prior returns in the same account.

[mesquitebean]

Or you can downgrade to Free Edition, then upgrade to PLUS and pay 19.99 to unlock the prior return, and then later upgrade to Live Deluxe.   You'd have to clear and start any return over.

[mesquitebean]

You're best bet is probably to ask Support to unlock it and keep your fingers crossed.  They may or may not.

[kitch6]

haven't I already committed to Delux for 2018?

[mesquitebean]

If you haven't paid or previously registered it in Free Edition, you can use "clear and start over" and choose other editions.  TurboTax is "try for free".  There is no fee until printing or filing, but one can pay in advance, such as for this purpose.

[kitch6]

can you direct me to how I pay in advance

[mesquitebean]

OK.  But remember it will only automatically unlock the return if the 2017 and 2018 are in the same account.

[mesquitebean]

Here's how to pay in advance for your 2018 Live Deluxe product to unlock a 2017 return in the same account.

• Log in and open the 2018 return ("Take me to my return.")
• Once it is open, click in the left menu column on Tax Tools, then choose Print Center.
• Then choose "Print/save/preview this year's return."  (Yes, you say "this year's" since you are paying for the 2018 return to unlock the prior returns.) You won't actually have to print the 2018 return.
  
• On the next screen choose to "Pay now".
• The next screen should be an Order Summary.  Review that, and if all is OK, click Continue.
• It should then prompt you for payment by credit or debit card.  The screen only says "credit card", but it will take a debit card.
  

NOTE:  If it should offer you the option to "pay later" out of the Federal refund, that can't be used for this unlocking purpose.  You will need to pay now by credit/debit card.

NOTE:  Remember all PDF tax documents and data files are very sensitive files, since they contain your personal ID info, financial data, and possibly bank account numbers, etc.  Be sure to store them safely and securely to guard against computer theft, hacking, etc.