I have been having this issue as well this evening. Will try again in the morning and see if it's resolved.

Are you still having difficulty downloading your returns? I tested this morning and was able to download. Please let us know if you continue to have trouble.

Thanks!

Hi can I get some assistance with this please. I’ve followed all the steps and still can’t download previous returns. Thanks 

I am having this same issue! I'm so frustrated by the instructions that lead me in circles. All I want to do is download my 2016 returns. I'm in my account, but when I click download it tells me to register.  The help article is no help at all. Any advice would be welcomed.

Did you follow all the steps listed here : 

How do I access a prior year return?

You’ll need to register first if you don’t already have access to your prior year returns under Your tax returns & documents as you sign in to TurboTax.

Before starting, make sure you’re using the same TurboTax account (with the same username) as previous years.

To access:

1. Choose TurboTax Free Edition when starting if you haven't already done so.
2. Follow the screens and provide some personal info. 
3. When you’ve reached the Personal info summary screen, select Continue.
4. Then, select File in the left-hand menu (this is just a step in order to register, you won’t actually be filing).
5. Continue until you get to Review your order and select Start.
6. Select View payment options.
7. Then continue until you get to the registration screen.
8. Enter your info and select Register, then Continue.
9. Go to Tax Home in the left-hand menu.
10. Under Your tax returns & documents, go to Download/print return (PDF) (select Show if not visible).

Related Information:

• Why can't I find my return in Tax Home or My Docs™?
• Forgot your TurboTax Online User ID or password?
• Account Recovery Request for your TurboTax Account
• How do I get a copy of a return I filed this year in TurboTax Online?

Here are screenshots of what's happening:

1. I'm in my account and can see all the years I did my returns in TurboTax. I click on 2016. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iyI5sP17ZaIKGkmVnGWP7nR1LsduIgxL/view?usp=sharing

2. I click on download a previous year, and select the reason I want to download- and click the download button: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FpfUVMIvtymJECgmuCQY1bKxw5A1S0uR/view?usp=sharing

3. I get a message that I need to register and it takes me to a help page: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19Qt362FvqagOlNlY-TkAQgyFS0_PdVud/view?usp=sharing

The instructions are of no help because I'm already in my account. 

4. Then I somehow found myself on a page that tells me I need to pay to access my returns: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18MfzIWq41sOLdpt4TDUWpVBCgHeyEwh3/view?usp=sharing

5. When I click on "follow these instructions" it takes me right back to the same help page on how to access my previous years returns.

So, any help would be super appreciated.

And YES, I followed instructions given on the pages. As you can see from my previous reply, it leads me in circles.

I hope you had success since they changed the rules and you no longer have to upgrade to PLUS ... I think you had cookie issues with your browser. 

No success. I cleared my history/cookies -- still same issue. I tried both Chrome and Safari...  no luck :(

@lisardragonfly 

Contact TurboTax support for assistance with the problems you are having in accessing your 2016 online tax return.

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/
Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

Few have had issues ... I would clear your cookies and/or switch browsers.  

@Critter  as I already mentioned, I have cleared my history/cookies and have used both Chrome and Safari so your advice is a moot point 🙂 

still having issues