How do I open prior turbotax files with a file extension .tax?

[deanpro]

returns from years 1993 to 2004  all created with turbotax software.

[LindaMLO]

You will need to use the same year software as what you originally used to prepare the returns. If that is no longer an option then you won't be able to open those files. However, you can obtain a copy of prior tax returns through the IRS website:  https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

[pcampa]

I visited the IRS website and I can go back to 2015 tax returns.  Nothing beyond that is available for downloads.

[xmasbaby0]

From the IRS you can get free transcripts going back at least seven years.  If you want exact copies from the IRS it will cost you $50 per return.  The IRS keeps returns for seven years.

You can get a free transcript from the IRS:   

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

[Critter]

Why do you need returns that old?

[skparma]

I had the same question.  They are needed to prove we did a non-deductible contribution to our IRA's for a few years back in the 90's.  Those contributions provide some basis to our IRA's

[Critter]

FYI ... a wise person would keep a copy of the form 8606 with their IRA information so they have this info when needed ... and you ONLY need the last form 8606 filed.  Since you need that info now  and did not keep paper or PDF copies of the return then your only option is to use a company to translate the .taxfiles : 

TaxPrinter service at  http://www.taxprinter.com 

They might be expensive and it is probably not safe to email tax returns back and forth  Their Website says…….
We read most federal and state files (Windows and Macintosh) from years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013... Known exceptions are TurboTax 1997 and TaxCut 2005 files which we can't read for technical reasons.

[airbus_jas]

Hello:

Did you have any luck with your original request? I too am looking for old 8606's for the same purpose. To prove that only a small fraction of my IRA was deductible. The rest was after tax contributions.

Thanks

[MarilynG1]

Yes, if you made non-deductible IRA Contributions that you reported in TurboTax, Form 8606 would be generated for you to track the basis of your IRA, so look for the form the last year you made those contributions.

You can generate a Form 8606 if you made non-deductible contributions in 2024.  TurboTax asks for your basis as of 12/31/2023, and you can enter the amount if you know what it is.  Here's more info on How to Trigger Form 8606.

If you never converted any of your IRA basis to a Roth, you may not  need to amend prior year returns.  The IRS will accept a Form 8606 with your current year return with the correct amounts.  You can prepare and send in any missing Form 8606's separately. 

However, if you took distributions from your IRA, which included some of your basis, look for the last year you took a distribution (1099-R) that reported that.  TurboTax would have asked for your basis in that year.

Here's more info on Tracking Non-Deductible IRA Basis. 

@airbus_jas