My tax preparer died. Trying to file my own small business tax return and dont know how my tax guy depreciated items in the past. How can I find out?

[pompanobl]

Can I see what he previously put in last years return?  He used turbo tax premier?

[KathrynG3]

We are sorry for your loss. Yes, to see the depreciation schedule, download the PDF or look through the paper copy for the Depreciation and Amortization Report in your tax return.

The forms are all labeled in the top left and bottom right corners. It is best to print this with a landscape, not portrait orientation.

Be sure to obtain a copy of the PDF file that includes your return plus ALL the schedules and worksheets so that you will have a copy of everything. This option is available when downloading the PDF. 

Your tax preparer could have used TurboTax CD/Download Premier or TurboTax Online Premier.

In TurboTax CD/Download,

• get the PDF by finding the .tax file for 2019 on your computer or 
• opening the 2019 software.
  • If you need to open the software, go to the upper right corner to Print Center to view or print the PDF.
  • For more information, see: How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?

In TurboTax Online, get the PDF by following these steps:

To get your 2019 Form 1040 download, follow these steps:

• From the left menu, select Tax Home. 
• Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents and Show.
• Navigate to the option to download the PDF of your return.

For more information, see: What Is the IRS Form 4562? - TurboTax Tax Tips & Videos. 

[Edited 04/13/2021 | 8:43 AM PST]

@pompanobl

[Carl]

Don't understand why you're being requested to download a PDF of your 2019 tax return, when it's apparent you did not use TurboTax to complete and file your 2019 tax return.

Bottom line is, you need a few forms from your 2019 tax return. Without them, you have no way of definitively determining depreciation amounts and methods used.

In your 2019 tax return look for two IRS Form 4562's. The two you need will both print in landscape format. One is titled "Depreciation and Amortization Report" and will have everything you need on it, for correctly entering those assets into the TTX 2020 program. The other is titled "Alternative Minimum Tax Depreciation", and if information is needed from that one, the program will ask you for it.

Next, if your business has any carry over losses (it probably does not, but just in case) there will be an IRS Form 8582 in the 2019 package. You will need that so you can deal with any such losses (if necessary) on your 2020 tax return.

Without at least the form 4562's, you may be stuck. However, it's perfectly possible to "figure it out" if you have those two 4562's from any prior tax year, *and* they have all the assets currently used in your business listed on them.

[Opus 17]

Turbotax is not licensed for use by paid preparers, and it is violation of IRS regulations to do so.

If your preparer used Turbotax online, you may be able to take control of your account by contacting customer support and providing proof of your identity.  https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

If your preparer used Turbotax installed on their own computer, or one of Intuit's professional programs, you would need to obtain the complete file (pdf of "all forms and worksheets") from their executor or agent.  A true CPA would have a contingency plan and someone would take over custody of their records.  (A street corner semi-pro who used Turbotax illegally might not.)

If you can't get any documents from your preparer's files, you may be able to get the information you need from your IRS transcript. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript