If I purchase the software for my PC, can I prepare and file previous years?

[DoninGA]

Each tax year is a separate program that has to be purchased separately.

Go to this TurboTax website for prior tax year desktop editions - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

[macuser_22]

No.  Each tax year is different - different laws -  and requires the software for that year.

[VolvoGirl]

Yes if you buy each year separately.  The Desktop program is only good for 1 year.  They only sell the last 3 years.  You can buy 2017-2019 here, 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/ 

You will have to print and mail prior years.  Mail each year in a separate envelope and mail federal and state separately, they go to different places.

[SweetieJean]

Yes, but you must buy a separate program for each year, and file those earlier returns by mail.  TT currently supports 2017-2020 only.

TurboTax® 2020-2021 CD/Download Tax Software, Compare Desktop Tax Preparation (intuit.com)

TurboTax® 2019 Tax Software for Filing Past Years’ Taxes, Prior Year Tax Preparation (intuit.com)

TurboTax® 2018 Tax Software for Filing Past Years’ Taxes, Prior Year Tax Preparation (intuit.com)

TurboTax® 2017 Tax Software for Filing Past Years’ Taxes, Prior Year Tax Preparation (intuit.com)

Federal tax refunds for earlier years are barred by the Statute of Limitations.