Where do I get 2019 turbotax?

[Romex23]

I need to file 2019 taxes now in 2024 (I never originally filed and need to catch up). I'm looking for the Turbotax 2019 version to help me do it. The past year's products page only goes back to 2020 (https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/). The chatbot thing said I'll need to buy and download the desktop 2019 version, but I cannot find it. I know I can't use Turbotax to file 2019 returns - that's fine, I just want the software to help calculate and fill out the forms, which I can send to the IRS myself. Can someone please help or help me talk to a human?

1) Can I use Turbotax software to help me complete my 2019 tax return even if it can't file for me?

2) If so, where do I find the link to download and purchase 2019 Turbotax? The past year's return page doesn't go back to 2019 (https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/).

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry you can no longer use Turbo Tax to prepare or amend a 2019 return.   Not Online and not using the Desktop program.  You need to do it yourself or go to a local tax place or accountant.

Even if you find or reinstall the Desktop program,  you will never be able to  install and activate the 2019 program with the License Code.   The License Code started in 2019.  So 2019 needs to connect to Turbo Tax to verify the License Code.  But they have stopped supporting 2019.

And if you are due a refund, the window to claim a refund has passed, so the IRS will not provide you any refund. 

Here are some basic forms.....

2019 1040 return

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2019.pdf

or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors,

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2019.pdf

2019 Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2019.pdf

2019 EIC and Tax Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2019.pdf

2019 Schedules 1-3

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2019.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2019.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2019.pdf

[rjs]

Some other tax software companies may still have software for 2019 available.

[xmasbaby0]

And--you mentioned getting "caught up"---it is too late to receive refunds for tax years 2019 or 2020.  The deadline to file a 2020 return and receive a refund was May 17, 2024.   It is not too late to receive a refund for 2021, 2022 or 2023.   Each tax year has to be prepared separately using the forms and software for the specific tax years, and all except 2023 can only be filed by mail.  Only a 2023 return can still be e-filed.   If you owe tax due for any of those tax years, it is owed with late filing penalties and interest, for which the IRS will bill you after they have received your return and your payment for the amount of tax due as shown on the Form 1040.

It might be better for you to seek local paid tax help in a situation when you are several years behind in filing your tax returns.  Do you even have all of the documents you will need to enter and show your income—like your W-2’s and any 1099’s?

[xmasbaby0]

You cannot change the tax year.   The current online program is for 2023 only.   Only a 2023 return can be prepared online and only a 2023 return can be e-filed.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2020, 2021, and  2022 is permanently closed.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2020, 2021, or 2022  you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

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

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/0... 

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

Refunds for tax years 2020 or earlier have been forfeited and will not be paid to you even if shown on the tax return form.  But if you owe tax due, you will still have to pay, and you will be billed later for the interest and penalties owed.  TurboTax will not calculate the penalties or  interest.   That will be done by the IRS/state after they receive your return with your payment of the tax due as shown on the tax form(s).

[rjs]

If you are filing tax returns for multiple years, mail each year in a separate envelope, and as xmasbaby0 said, mail federal and state tax returns separately. Only one tax return in an envelope.

[Mike9241]

It's no longer available either online or desktop. Some websites may offer 2019 but it can't be updated and thus isy unusable 

[oldnotdead]

This is exactly why I do not like that TT is abandoning selling the software on CD.

Find someone who is a bit anal about their taxes and ask if they have retained their CD.

[Mike9241 · Accepted solution]

It doesn't matter. 2019 is no longer supported so if you install it from a CD it can not be updated. This is now also true of 2020.  Even if it is installed and fully updated, because it's no longer supported, it may not be possible to open it. 

[xmasbaby0]

@oldnotdead 

Even if you can find the 2019 CD somewhere, you will not be able to get updates nor will you be able to download the state software.   Any results you get using that CD are likely to be inaccurate.   Sorry.   If you need to prepare a 2019 return for some reason, seek a local tax pro.    The same is true for 2020, as explained by Champ @Mike9241 

So if you are more than a few years behind, you will also need pro help with 2020, or will need to use paper forms to prepare by hand and mail them in.

Each tax year has to be filed separately using the forms for the specific tax year.  They cannot be combined in any way--do not even put them in the same envelope when you mail them.  Software for past years is available back to 2021.  Any earlier years can only be prepared on paper forms by hand--and those refunds have been forfeited now.

TurboTax has software for 2021 onward.   Software is no longer available from TurboTax for earlier years, nor would it be supported even if you find it on eBay, etc.  Updates are not available.   It is also too late to receive a tax refund for a tax year earlier than 2021---those refunds have been forfeited.   BUT if you owe tax due you still have to pay with penalties and interest.   There might be other software providers that have software for those years, but you will not receive refunds for the returns even if the forms show a refund.

It might be better for you to seek local paid tax help in a situation when you are several years behind in filing your tax returns.  Do you even have all of the documents you will need to enter and show your income—like your W-2’s and any 1099’s?

Online preparation and e-filing for 2021, 2022, and  2023 is permanently closed.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2021, 2022, or 2023  you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

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

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/0... 

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.