How do I open all my old turbotax returns 1999-2016? Without having to install all my old versions of turbotax?

[xmasbaby0]

TurboTax and the IRS save returns for seven  years; returns older than that are gone.

[jkahrl]

what is the default name for the turbotax data file

[DoninGA]

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@jkahrl wrote:

what is the default name for the turbotax data file

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The TurboTax tax data files have a file extension of .taxyyyy, where yyyy is the tax year of the data file, eg .tax2021 for tax year 2021.

This is for TurboTax tax data files for tax years 2008 thru the current tax year.  Prior to tax year 2008 the tax data file extension was .tax

The default file name is (Tax Year) (Last Name First Name initial) Form 1040 Individual Tax Return.  For example -

2021 Doe J Form 1040 Individual Tax Return for tax year 2021

[davenj]

I need to review my tax returns for the past 20 years.  I have most of the pdf files, but I'm missing a few old ones.  I still have all of the Turbotax CDs and the software installs but Turbotax does not allow updates.  I get an error message - something like "unable to connect". 

I also purchased used version of Turbotax from 2001-2003 on Ebay, but I get a runtime error trying to install the software.  I wonder if this is because back then Intuit limited installation on a single computer.  Anyone know? 

I wonder why Intuit does not allow customers to download updates to old versions.  This service would involve no additional cost to the company.  Sending customers to the IRS or to another company to pay $45 to translate each .tax file to a .pdf is not good customer service and creates ill will.   

[davenj]

Only for returns from the past three years 

[TiffanyL]

@davenj 

The only other way around that would be to get your transcripts from the IRS using the FAQ link provided below:

Welcome to get transcript

[davenj]

I purchased used versions of Turbotax from 2001-2003 on Ebay, but I get a runtime error trying to install the software.  Is this because Intuit limited installation of these early versions to a single computer.  Anyone know? 

[VolvoGirl]

Even if you could get them installed you couldn't update them or download any state programs for it.  Why do you need older years?   Do you have the .tax data files you need to open?

You could try the TaxPrinter service to convert a .tax file to pdf at
https://www.taxprinter.com

They might be expensive and it is probably not safe to email tax returns back and forth. They are not related to Turbo Tax. I don't know if they can do State.

[davenj]

I did not save pdf files for these years.  I made nondeductible IRA contributions but I have no evidence of it, nor did I do a good job of updating my 8606 form each year.  So, I want to update my IRA tax basis with good supporting documentation.  

[davenj]

Thanks.  It looks like transcripts are available only back to 2019. 

[shfoos01]

"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)"

This statement appears to be 100% false. Clicking on the link takes me to a page to start a tax return.  People should be made aware that if their PDF documents ever become unavailable, Intuit purposely makes it impossible to access prior years tax returns by any other method.  I kept my PDFs in two places, and both versions were destroyed about two months apart. I didn't find out until it was time to file this year. Oddly, I still have the drive with all of my old TurboTax .tax files but since Intuit actively hates their customers, they don't let anyone access the .tax files unless they have the old version still installed. Why? No reason, they just hate you and me. 

[xmasbaby0]

  You have to access your own account and/or  print it for yourself using exactly the same account and user ID that you used when you prepared the return.

Start a 2022 return online and enter some personal information  so that the menu on the left opens up and lets you access your past year returns.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/01/270...

Many people have multiple TT accounts and forget how to access them.  Log out of the account you are in now.

Account Recovery

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901535-forgot-your-turbotax-online-user-id-or-password

Or did you use the desktop version of TurboTax?  If so, the files are on your own hard drive or any backup device you used like a flash drive.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901486-how-many-turbotax-accounts-do-i-have

[VolvoGirl]

How to Access prior year online returns
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/00/270...

If you can't get the side menus to open up to access the prior year..... You need to start entering some basic Personal Info in 2022 for the side menu to open up. Just continue a little ways into 2022. I had to go though about 12 screens.

If you used the Desktop CD/Download program then the only copy is on your computer and not saved or stored online. So you need to make and keep your own backups.

Or request a transcript from the IRS
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

[davenj]

I bought on Ebay old versions of TT from 2001-2003 only to find that the software cannot be installed on Windows 10.  Or, at least I haven't found a way around the "runtime error" I receive when I try to install it.  There's lots of advice on the web about how to get around the runtime error, but none of it seems to work.   Running in XP compatibility mode does not work.  The error is from Visual C++.    I think I;d have to find a vintage computer with software from the same era.

[xmasbaby0]

@davenj Even if you can find a way to install that old software, there is not a way to get updates or support for the software so you will not get accurate results from it.