So, wait....You are trying to get to your 2018 federal return to send it to the IRS? The IRS is saying you did not file 2018? Is the IRS saying that you owe tax due for 2018? And you cannot get the desktop software to open because it wants you to download the state, too?
If you prepared your return using the CD/download, it is not stored in an online account; it is only stored on your own hard drive or any back up device you used. All of that stuff about starting a new 2022 return is for users who used online software---which is not your situation.
Not sure why the software is prompting you to download the state software -- presumably you already downloaded the state software when you prepared the tax return. It is now too late to download it again--TT no longer supports the 2018 software. You should try contacting customer support during business hours to see if they can help you find the return on your hard drive.
To call TurboTax customer support
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number
Customer support is available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time daily
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
