TT says keeping my past returns safe =- HA - keeping them hostage - says need to pay to access them??!!

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

The best things in life may be free, but that doesn't extend to forever access to your tax returns.  Turbotax is in business to make money, and if you qualify to file for free, they are going to try and find something to make you pay for.  (And why not, they provide an apparently useful service.  Could you leave your stuff in a self-serve storage locker for years and never pay?)

You always have the ability to download your tax data file and tax return PDF to your computer up until October 15, even if you file for free.  After that, you have to pay to unlock or use a paid version the next year, both of which will unlock all your past returns.  I would never trust anyone else to hold my only copies of my tax returns, I have digital and printed copies at home going back 15 years.

You can also get transcripts of your past returns from the IRS for free. https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript