Cannot Download Prior Year’s Return

[vicyankees]

When I try and download a prior years return I do not get the actual return.  Instead I get the 8960 worksheet, application for extension and form 8965.  How do I get a copy of my actual return?  I used Turbo Tax for the Mac to file the return in question.  This also happens for another year as well.

[RobertG]

To access your current or prior year tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the userID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and on the section Your tax returns & documents click on Show.  Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)

See this TurboTax support FAQ for accessing prior year online tax returns - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/01/270...

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created.  TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

Or go to this IRS website for free federal tax return transcripts - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

For a fee of $50 you can get a complete federal tax return from the IRS by completing Form 4506 - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

This question was previously answered by Critter

[SteamTrain]

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@vicyankees wrote:

..............  I used Turbo Tax for the Mac to file the return in question.  This also happens for another year as well."

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Not sure what you meant by that. 

1)  "Turbo Tax for the Mac" that in downloaded and installed on your home MAC computer?   Then its only on that computer and any backups you made at that time. Using the Standalone download software will E-file "thru" an internet connection, but the actual tax files &PDFs are totally in your own computer...not on stored on the TTX servers.

2)  OR perhaps you meant the Mobile "App", or "Online " software accessed thru a browser?   Those files are stored on the TTX server..but you have to be in the correct UserID to see the tax file you filed....or maybe you never filled out the prior year's forms in the first place.   ALWAYS save a PDF and .taxyyyy datafile copy of any ONLINE tax return you prepare to your home computer, right after filing each and every year..Always ans without fail.   Problems like this then become non-problems.

[flaquis21]

cannot find the tax return and documents on the page

[SteamTrain]

@flaquis21 

For getting prior year tax forms, 2019 and earlier (right now in Dec 2020)

1)  If you used the CD/Download version in prior years, the only copy is the one on your own computer or any backups you should have saved.

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If you did use the "Online" version in prior years:

2)  You have to be logged into the EXACT same online account you used in those prior years.  IF you created a new account, you can't expect the other year's files to magically show up.

3) If you are logged into the correct Online account, some folks have found that:

....3a)  they must start the 2020 interview first and get in it a few pages 

.....3b)  then click on "Tax Home" in the left window  (DO NOT CLICK ON "Documents")

......3c)  then scroll down the page to "Your tax returns & documents" and expand that section to select the year and then get the download selections

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