@ tamyt143 wrote:
What if all you need is a copy of your return for your CPA and your not using turbo tax services for this year ? Youre saying I still need pay for the PLUS if I'm not even filing my taxes?
Yes, if access to the prior return is locked, and it asks you to pay, then to unlock a prior return you'll need to pay for PLUS (19.99), but you won't have to actually prepare a 2018 return. If you are not using TurboTax for your 2018 return, then you will need to start a temporary return in Free Edition just long enough to enter some info in "My Info", then upgrade to PLUS and pay. I'll tell you all the steps below.
Or you can get a free prior tax return transcript from the IRS website. You may be able to immediately download one at the IRS website if you qualify to open an IRS account there. Otherwise, to order a transcript to come by postal mail takes 5-10 calendar days.
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
Before upgrading and paying make sure you have located the prior-year return, and that you start your 2018 Free Edition return in the SAME account. You only have to START the 2018 Free Edition return, upgrade, and pay. You do NOT have to actually prepare the 2018 return.
- If you haven't already started one, then start a 2018 Free Edition return in the SAME account as the locked prior return.
- After some preliminary screens, you'll arrive at the MY INFO section.
- See if there is an Upgrade link in the left menu column. If not, you'll need to enter some info into the MY INFO screens until you see an Upgrade link either appear in the left menu column or at the end of the MY INFO section.
- Then click on Upgrade and choose PLUS. Do NOT upgrade any beyond PLUS, or you'll have problems.
- Once you are in PLUS, then you need to pay.
- In the left menu column click on TAX TOOLS, then PRINT CENTER.
- At the Print Center choose to "Print, save, view THIS YEAR's return." (Yes, you say "this year's" because you are paying for the 2018 return to unlock the prior return.) You don't actually have to print it.
- It will ask you to pay. If the Order Summary appears OK, then choose PAY NOW.
- You can pay by credit card or debit card (even though it only says "credit.")
NOTE: If it should offer you the choice of paying later out of the Federal refund, that cannot be done for this purpose. You have to choose PAY NOW.
NOTE: Remember all PDF tax documents and tax data files are very sensitive files, since they contain your personal ID info, financial data, and possibly bank account numbers, etc. Be sure to store them safely and securely to guard against computer theft, hacking, etc.
