How do I open old returns when I no longer have that year's TurboTax software?

[john99991]

I need to open an old return (10 years old).  I have never saved on the TurboTax website and have not saved as PDFs. What can I do? All I have is my TurboTax return file.

[rjs]

The only way to open a .tax file is with the software for the correct year. You could try TaxPrinter. You send them your .tax file and they send you back a PDF of the tax return. TaxPrinter has no connection with TurboTax. I have never used TaxPrinter, so I cannot make a recommendation. I'm just making you aware of it.

TaxPrinter

[xmasbaby0]

Going forward---learn from this----save your tax returns as pdf's and even as hard copies.   Returns prepared using the CD/download are not stored online.   They are only saved on your own hard drive--if YOU save them.   Returns prepared using online software are stored online for seven years.   The IRS and TurboTax save returns for seven years.

SAVE YOUR TAX RETURN !

EVERY year before mid-October you should save a copy of your tax return as a pdf and print a copy of it for your records.  That way you will not be searching online frantically when you need it for a lender, FAFSA forms, your next tax return, etc. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900937-why-should-i-save-a-pdf-copy-of-my-return

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899779-what-s-the-difference-between-the-tax-data-file-and-the-pd...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1912466-how-do-i-save-my-return-as-a-pdf-in-the-turbotax-software-... •

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1912533-how-do-i-save-my-return-as-a-pdf-in-the-turbotax-software-...

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/print-selected-pages-acrobat-reader.html#:~:text=Ctrl%2Dclick%20(...

[Mike9241]

there may be many offers on the web for that year's software. do not buy. those are the beta versions that Turbotax puts out early and do not reflect all laws in effect for that year. if you open your .tax20xx

file with it you could end up with a return that reflects amounts that were not on the filed return. there is no way to update it.

[TomD8]

-deleted-

[rjs]

The original question above says "I need to open an old return (10 years old)."

The IRS is not going to have a transcript or copy of a 10-year old tax return. Form 4506-T says "Return transcripts are available for the current year and returns processed during the prior 3 processing years." Form 4506, which is a request for a copy of a tax return, not a transcript, says "Copies of Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ are generally available for 7 years from filing before they are destroyed by law."

[TomD8]

@rjs -- Thanks for the correction.  I've deleted my answer.