Is there a way for me to only pay for plus benefits? turbo tax does not let me and all I need to do is access last year's return.

Have you located the 2017 return, and is it in the SAME account as what you are using for 2018?   And when you try to download/print, does it ask you to pay?

If all you want is the 2017 AGI, there should be a free link in that same section of "Your Tax Returns & Documents".  Under 2017, look for "View adjusted gross income (AGI."   Does that work?    If you need the complete 2017 return, we can tell you how to get it.

You appear to be in Self-Employed Edition, which is way above PLUS.  Self-Employed Edition is 119.99 for a Federal return, while PLUS is 19.99.   Do you not intend to use Self-Employed Edition?

If you only want PLUS, do you intend to prepare your return in Free Edition?  Free Edition is only for very simple returns, and many people have to upgrade to a paid edition.

We can tell you how you can downgrade to Free Edition, then upgrade to PLUS if that's what you want.  Or if you do intend to use Self-Employed Edition, we can tell you how to pay for it in advance.  That should unlock all prior returns in the SAME account.

Hi thank you for your quick response.

Yes it is on the same account. I don’t know how or why I’m on the self-employed edition I just need to access my 2017 return for my financial aid application. I definitely am not self- employed so downgrading to the free edition and accessing my 2017 tax return from there on is what I need to do.

OK.  I will give you all the steps below.

Also be aware there's a free option if a tax return transcript would suit your purpose.  You may be able to immediately download a 2017 return transcript at the IRS website at the link below if you qualify to open an IRS account there.  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>

If you are currently in the Self-Employed Edition and don't want it, then you can first downgrade to Free Edition, then upgrade to PLUS (19.99).

You already confirmed above that the 2017 and 2018 returns are in the same account, which is necessary for this to work.

• If not already open, open the 2018 return you started in the same account as the prior return. ("Take me to my return.")
  
• Then once the 2018 return is fully open, look in the left menu column, and click on TAX TOOLS, then select "Clear and Start Over."
• Once the return starts over, choose Free Edition as your product.
• Answer some preliminary screens, and you will eventually come to the My Info section. At that point go to the left menu column and click on Upgrade.
• If you don't see the Upgrade link yet, you may have to fill out some screens in the Personal Info section first.
  
• NOTE:   After you click on Upgrade, if you see that the PLUS option is grayed out, that means you are already in PLUS.  Do not upgrade any farther, or you'll have problems.
• So once in PLUS, you need to pay for it.
• While the return is still 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:  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.

the only problem with this is that it will not let me Clear and Start Over because I was trying to add the benefits after I'd already filed my return. It gives me this message: "Once you register your tax return, or pay any TurboTax fees, we can no longer clear and start over."

Oh, you didn't mention you had already filed when I asked above if you intend to use Self-Employed to file your return.   You'll have to phone TurboTax Support and tell them you accidentally upgraded too far, and ask them to unlock the prior returns.   If you're lucky, they may just unlock them and not even charge, but you'll have to see.

Hours are 5AM-5PM Pacific (8AM-8PM Eastern) Mon-Fri.

FAQ:  What is the TurboTax phone number?
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263</a>

is there any other way to contact them? I am abroad in Italy at the moment I don't think I can call them. Thank you for your help.

Do you have Facebook or Twitter?  You can direct message a Support Agent through one of those.

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax">https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax</a>
or
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/turbotax">https://www.facebook.com/turbotax</a>

If you still can't contact them after that, report back.