I have a .TAX file from 1996 and need to get a .pdf of the forms and worksheets contained therein. I have the TurboTax CD for 1996, but it won't run on Windows 10. Help!
Even if you could install old programs you can't update them or download any state programs you need. They only support the last 3 years. If you have old .tax files you can try converting them to pdf files at Www.Taxprinter.Com
It might be expensive. They are not connected with Turbo Tax. Use it at your own risk. Their Website says…….
We read most federal and state files (Windows and Macintosh) from years 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Known exceptions are TurboTax 1997, 1999 and TaxCut 2005 files which we can't read for technical reasons. TurboTax 1998 and 2002 files may show only the tax summary and the Form 1040.
If you just need a paper copy of your old tax return, you can obtain that from the IRS.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/heres-how-people-can-request-a-copy-of-their-previous-tax-return
Prior year tax returns are available from the IRS for a fee. Taxpayers can request a copy of a tax return by completing and mailing Form 4506 to the IRS address listed on the form. There's a $43 fee for each copy and these are available for the current tax year and up to seven years prior.
But if you just need the tax return information, you can get a copy of your transcript online from the IRS.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
@guywong While you provided great information on how to obtain a copy of a tax return from the IRS, please note in your information that the IRS only saves returns for seven years. After that, copies are not available. The original poster in this thread wants a copy from 1996, which the IRS will not have.