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Level 3
posted Mar 9, 2022 9:33:39 AM

Actual Forms and Return

I have worked with an accountant for some 20 years, and liked it that, though he e-filed my return, he also gave me a print-out of my return for me to review. 

No more accountant now.  But I find the GUI of TurboTax really poor - it's difficult (impossible at times) to see numbers and calculations. 

Is there a way to "see" the return before filing it with the IRS, e.g., as a print-out, or as a PDF file? 

Thank you.  Patrick. 

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2022 9:42:59 AM

Yes, absolutely.

 

When you print a records copy of your return, we include everything that was sent to the government, plus extra documentation and calculation worksheets.

However, the printout won't include copies of the entry forms you got in the mail, such as W-2s or 1099s. If you need copies of those, contact whoever issued them originally (e.g., your payroll department, payor, bank, brokerage, etc.).

Before proceeding, we recommend that Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is on your system. Most computers already come with it, but if yours doesn't, you can get a free download from Adobe. 

To print through TurboTax:

  1. Open the return you want to print.
  2. From the File menu in the upper left corner (or TurboTax menu if you're on a Mac), choose Print.
  3. In the pop-up window, select the form set you want to print (tax return, specific forms, etc.) and then click Preview Print Copy (on Mac, select your print options and then click Continue).
  4. Your forms will open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Select the "printer" icon in the upper left corner to open the print window, then after making any adjustments in the window, click Print at the bottom.

You can also print directly from a saved PDF of your return by double-clicking the PDF to open it and then following the instructions in Step 4

 

 

2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2022 9:42:59 AM

Yes, absolutely.

 

When you print a records copy of your return, we include everything that was sent to the government, plus extra documentation and calculation worksheets.

However, the printout won't include copies of the entry forms you got in the mail, such as W-2s or 1099s. If you need copies of those, contact whoever issued them originally (e.g., your payroll department, payor, bank, brokerage, etc.).

Before proceeding, we recommend that Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is on your system. Most computers already come with it, but if yours doesn't, you can get a free download from Adobe. 

To print through TurboTax:

  1. Open the return you want to print.
  2. From the File menu in the upper left corner (or TurboTax menu if you're on a Mac), choose Print.
  3. In the pop-up window, select the form set you want to print (tax return, specific forms, etc.) and then click Preview Print Copy (on Mac, select your print options and then click Continue).
  4. Your forms will open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Select the "printer" icon in the upper left corner to open the print window, then after making any adjustments in the window, click Print at the bottom.

You can also print directly from a saved PDF of your return by double-clicking the PDF to open it and then following the instructions in Step 4

 

 

Level 3
Mar 9, 2022 11:22:21 AM

I already clicked on the "thumb-up", but I wanted to tell you personally:  you answered my question perfectly!  And I wish all your colleagues would do the same.  I am so struggling with many of the answers that are not helpful.  E.g., I was told to look for Tax Tools, or Charitable Contributions under the CARES ACT - I cannot find these, or to "click on the options for Deferred Compensation in the list below" - except that in the list, there is NOTHING that mentions Deferred Compensation... 

But YOU nailed my question and gave me perfect guidance!  Thank you. 

Patrick.