@ giantqtipz wrote:
I'm trying to submit my 2 most recent returns for a property purchase, but the returns differ in page length.
For 2020, I did mine via Turbotax online. I can download it just fine but its 104 pages long. I'm not sure if I need to print all 104 pages?
For 2021, I used the software, and the pdf record I have is only 24 pages long ending with the Two Year Comparison form. Since its so much less than the 2021 return, I tried to reopen my .tax file to confirm if its correct, which unfortunately I dont have and is probably gone since I bought a new computer.
My questions are
1) Why is there a difference in page length? Do I need to print all 104 for the first one?
2) Is there a way to access my 2021 returns if I dont have my .tax file. I want to access it to confirm its 24 pages long.
Thanks in advance, and appreciate any input I can get.
People used to complain about the prior-year PDFs available at the Tax Home not having the worksheets, so now at the end of each tax year, TurboTax places the full PDF with all the worksheets, summary pages, etc., as the default. Thus folks who didn't download a smaller PDF after preparing their tax return don't have the smaller PDF of just the tax return as filed. Your lender does NOT need all those extra pages--ie., the lender does not need worksheets, summary pages, etc. You can print just the pages that make up the actual return that went to the IRS, similar to if you were preparing a return to file by mail. They need the Form 1040 and any forms and schedules that have "attachment sequence numbers" in the top right corner. You can select which pages to print as you view the PDF. Then assemble the return with the Form 1040 on top, and the underlying forms/schedules in order of the attachment sequence numbers.
If you used 2021 desktop software, and if you didn't save the *.tax2021 data file, then you're out of luck at viewing the full set of 2021 worksheets, etc. Without the tax data file, there is no data to open. When you bought a new computer, did you not save the old computer or at least it's hard drive or backup?
When using desktop software, one should save the *.tax2021 data file and back it up somewhere, since you never know if you might have to amend a return in the coming years. It's even a good idea to back it up while preparing your return in case something happens to the computer or the file while you are working on it.
