Why are the number of pages in my 2021 tax return much less than the number of pages in my 2020 tax return?

[lvrodvarfam68]

I filed my federal and NYS tax returns in 2020 and 2021 however, the number of pages in my 2021 tax returns is 12 pages and the number of pages in my 2020 tax return is over 160 pages.

[tagteam]

You should connect with your tax expert if you are using TurboTax Live.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/product-setup/connect-tax-expert-turbota...

[Critter-3]

The difference is simple ... the 12 pages is the actual return that was filed and the larger file includes all the unfiled fed & TT worksheets which makes it look more impressive to justify the fee you pay.  

The archived copy on the home page  is not currently the  larger one  so using the instructions below will let you get both PDF files ... I highly recommend you save the PDF for the fed & state as filed  AND again with all the worksheets for future needs.  

Once the online system closes in mid  October to change to the next year year,  access to the returns will be shut down while the millions of returns are moved and archived ... this blackout period happens every year and lasts about 4 - 6 weeks.  

After a return has been  efiled and accepted, it can sometimes take the  return PDF a while to update and become available at the Tax Home landing screen.   If you can't use the Download/print button at the Tax Home or the "Download/print the PDF" link in the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents", OR  if you're getting incomplete documents when you use one of those methods, here's an alternate way to print by opening the filed return back up to print at the Print Center.

NOTE:  When you open your return back up, do not make any changes in it if it's already been filed.  If you later have to amend the return, it has to start off exactly as it was when it was originally filed.

• Log in and at the Tax Home or in the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents" for 2021, look for a link "Add a State."
• Click on "Add a State."  (you don't really add one.  That's just to open your return back up.)
• After the return is open, click in the left menu column on TAX TOOLS, then PRINT CENTER.
• Then choose "Print, save, view this year's return."
• The next screen should offer some options:  "Just my tax returns", or "include government worksheets (optional)", or "include government and TurboTax worksheets (optional.)"
• See if one of those PDFs has what you need.  The latter has the most pages.

NOTE:  Remember all PDF tax documents and tax data files are very sensitive files, since they contain your personal ID info, financial data, and possibly bank account numbers, etc.  Be sure to store them safely and securely to guard against computer theft, hacking, etc.

[SweetieJean]

and the 2020 "archived" file is a single file with everything in it.