How Do I Re-Apply the Deluxe to Premier Upgrade to TurboTax 2015?

[StevenHB1331]

I have a TurboTax2015 file that I need to reopen long after I upgraded my laptop, so the software was no longer installed.  I reinstalled TT 2015 Deluxe, which I purchased from Amazon and was able to download but I'm unable to find a way to reinstall the Deluxe to Premier upgrade that I purchased from within TurboTax Deluxe, directly from Intuit. I have documentation of my order, so I can substantiate my purchase.

I contacted Support and was told that Intuit no longer supports TT 2015. I have to say that I find this completely unacceptable. As I recall, I had no option to save an install file. It's not even past the usual seven-year records retention period for tax returns. Why do I bother using the online approach when it's just going to bite me in the butt in the end? Is there any recourse?

[macuser_22]

Sorry, but TurboTax only supports open tax years.  Once the IRS closes a tax year, it is no longer supported.  

Currently only 2017 - 2020 is supported and after Oct 15, 2021, 2017 will be dropped.

TurboTax maintains records for 7 years that TurboTax has, but not software.   For the desktop versions the only records are on your own computer so you must maintain them. 

[macuser_22]

Have you tried the "downloads" tab in your account to see if it is still there?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/how-do-i-download-the-software-i-purchased-at-turb...

[VolvoGirl]

Well you don't actually need to install the upgrade.  Deluxe has all the same forms.  Deluxe should open your return.  Except if you have a state return in your file you need to download the state program first.  Except they don't have the updates and states for older than 3 years.  So you are stuck.

What do you need to open 2015 for?  Do you just need a copy?  You could try the TaxPrinter service to convert a .tax file to pdf at
https://www.taxprinter.com

They might be expensive and it is probably not safe to email tax returns back and forth. They are not related to Turbo Tax. I don't know if they can do State.

[StevenHB1331]

Yes, and no (though I haven't found a "downloads" tab - I looked in My Products and Billing, where I "have no products").

If Intuit is going to make software unavailable, it should be downloadable and savable at the time of purchase so that users can keep their own archives.

[StevenHB1331]

It is not true that the same forms are included. I needed the small business forms for a return associated with my mother's estate.  These were available only with Premier. I've tried and failed to open the return using just Deluxe: there's an error related to missing formsets. And I'm looking for the NY State module on top of that.

I should have kept a .PDF copy of the return - I don't know why I didn't at the time: I generally do and have them for my and my children's returns for many years.

[macuser_22]

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If Intuit is going to make software unavailable, it should be downloadable and savable at the time of purchase so that users can keep their own archives.

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It is not possible to install any upgrade without downloading the software to your computer.     After installing, it would be up to you to save the downloaded file somewhere.   I don't know where that file is on a Windows computer but on a Mac it would be in the "Downloads" folder and can then be dragged and saved to any location you desire (or to a flash drive) for future use.

However, without updates that install file would probably be useless anyway and as VG pointed out, if there is a state then without also installing the state (no longer available) it is not possible to open the tax return even if you had the install file.