topic Cannot download a prior year return (And yes, I tried to follow the directions) in After you file

Cannot download a prior year return (And yes, I tried to follow the directions)

msalamon — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:24:52 GMT

I have not done my taxes with TT since 2019 but I need access to that return.

I logged in and there is no place that shows prior returns or documents on the TT site. So I tried this:

Clicked on Intuit Account, which opens a new browser tab
Clicked on Products and Billing
Clicked on TurboTax
It shows that I had purchased TT Online for 2019 and 2018
In the TT 2019 card I clicked on Tax Returns and Documents
A new browser tab opens with a Documents tab selected and a pull down menu with View Documents from [2012-2022]. I selected 2019 (also tried 2018).
There is a Download Tax PDF button, but when I click on that, nothing happens. It says:

Download your past TurboTax returns

Looks like you didn't file with us last year or you filed using a TurboTax product that doesn't include access to prior-year returns.

To download your prior-year TurboTax returns, just get started with your 2020 tax return in the TurboTax product that's right for you.

Select a product on tax home

So does this mean I need to pay for the 2020 return to get my 2019 return?

But when I click the button, there is no option to buy the 2020 return.

How can I avoid running in circles and simply get my return. I would be happy to pay a nominal fee to get a copy? But it looks like the lowest cost is $80 for something I don't need.

Re: Cannot download a prior year return (And yes, I tried to follow the directions)

Katina S — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 19:19:55 GMT

Try using our account recovery instructions to recover any Turbo Tax accounts you have created. This way you can make sure you are logging into the correct account to access your 2019 tax return.

Re: Cannot download a prior year return (And yes, I tried to follow the directions)

msalamon — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 19:52:03 GMT

Thank you, but I think you are misunderstanding.

I am able to login with the same account I have used for 10+ years. When i view my products, it shows me 2018 and 2019 and even shows me a receipt for the amount I spent on each one.

The issue is not with account recovery but simply that I cannot access old returns after I have logged in, nor do I seem to find a way to do so, at least without possibly paying $80 for access to this year's turbotax (which I don't need) and even then I'm not sure if that will work.

Re: Cannot download a prior year return (And yes, I tried to follow the directions)

Katina S — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 20:26:34 GMT

Try following these instructions on how to view, download, or print a prior year return by logging directly into your Turbo Tax online account and not the Intuit Account manager site.

Re: Cannot download a prior year return (And yes, I tried to follow the directions)

msalamon — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 20:39:23 GMT

I previously tried all of these steps; none of them worked. :(

I keep going around and around in circles.

Is there anyone I can contact directly to help me?

Re: Cannot download a prior year return (And yes, I tried to follow the directions)

Katina S — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 21:41:28 GMT

If you are going in circles and it is looping you, try clearing your cache and cookies or try using incognito mode or a different browser altogether.

And, if none of the above options resolve the issue for you, please contact us at customer support so we can further assist you.