Normally the way to unlock a prior return is to minimally start a 2018 return in Free Edition in the same account, upgrade it to PLUS, and pay 19.99 by credit/debit card. One doesn't have to actually prepare and finish the return. We could have told you the steps to upgrade and pay right away, but your situation has become more complicated.
You have a couple of choices outlined below. I can tell you more when you choose.
Option One:
Did you actually start a 2018 online return in Deluxe? If so, we can tell you how to downgrade it to Free Edition, then upgrade it to PLUS for 19.99. Or if you haven't started a 2018 return at all, we can tell you how to start one in Free Edition, upgrade to PLUS, and pay the 19.99. In either case you could use the Online Refund Request Form to get your $70 back for the software you purchased. I'll tell you all the steps if you choose that path.
Option Two:
If you purchased 2018 software, that does qualify to unlock the prior returns, but it is not automatic since a desktop product doesn't sync with online products in that regard. You would have to phone TurboTax Customer Support and tell them you purchased the software and ask them to unlock the prior returns and to refund the needless software purchase. They may end up not even charging you anything, especially when you stress all the trouble you've been through. We can tell you how to reach Support.
