TurboTax Last Year’s Returns: How to Find, Download, and Use Your Prior-Year Tax Return

When tax season rolls around, having access to your TurboTax last year’s return can make all the difference-whether you’re transferring data for your new filing, checking your adjusted gross income (AGI), or simply keeping your records straight. The process of retrieving your prior-year tax return from TurboTax is straightforward once you know where to look, and it’s essential for anyone who wants to file accurately, amend previous returns, or provide proof of income. TurboTax last year’s return, prior-year tax documents, TurboTax account, download tax PDF, and prior-year AGI are just some of the keywords you’ll encounter as we walk you through the steps to access, download, and print your previous tax filings. With TurboTax, you can view up to seven years of returns, making it a breeze to stay organized and ready for anything the IRS-or life-throws your way.

Why You Might Need Your TurboTax Last Year’s Return

• Filing This Year’s Taxes: TurboTax can automatically transfer last year’s data, saving you time and reducing errors.
• Verifying Your AGI: Many e-filing systems require last year’s AGI for identity verification.
• Applying for Loans or Financial Aid: Lenders and schools often request your most recent tax return as proof of income.
• Amending or Reviewing Past Returns: If you need to correct a mistake or check details from a previous year, your old return is essential.
• Record Keeping: Keeping digital or printed copies of your prior-year returns is a smart move for personal finance management.

How to Access Your TurboTax Last Year’s Return

1. Sign In to Your TurboTax Account: Use the same user ID as the previous year to ensure you see all your returns.
2. Navigate to Tax Returns & Documents: On your Tax Home, find the “Your tax returns & documents” section.
3. Select the Year: Choose the year you want to access-TurboTax typically stores up to seven years of returns.
4. Download or Print: Click “Download/print return (PDF)” to save or print your return for your records.

Tip: If you don’t see the year you’re looking for, you may have used a different TurboTax account. Try account recovery or check other possible accounts.

Alternative Ways to Retrieve Your Return

• Data & Privacy Request: Go to your Intuit Account settings, select “Data & Privacy,” and request a download of all your TurboTax data. You’ll receive an email link within a few days.
• Desktop Software Users: If you used TurboTax Desktop, your returns are saved on your computer or backup device. Look for files ending in .tax or PDFs in your documents folder.
• IRS Transcript: If you didn’t use TurboTax or can’t find your return, request a transcript from the IRS website6.

What If You Need to File or Amend a Prior-Year Return?

• Filing Back Taxes: Download and install the TurboTax software for the year you need, enter your information, and print and mail your return-e-filing is not available for prior years.
• Amending a Return: Open the correct year’s TurboTax software, select “Amend a Filed Return,” and follow the prompts. You have up to three years to file an amendment.

Pro Tips for Managing Your Tax Documents

• Keep Digital Backups: Store copies of your returns in a secure cloud or external drive.
• Use the Same Account Each Year: This keeps all your returns in one place for easy access.
• Check for Account Mix-Ups: Many people have multiple Intuit accounts-double-check if you’re missing a return.

FAQs

Q: How do I download my TurboTax last year’s return?
A: Sign in to your TurboTax account, go to “Your tax returns & documents,” select the year, and click “Download/print return (PDF)”.

Q: What if I can’t find my prior-year return in my TurboTax account?
A: You may have used a different account-try account recovery or check other possible accounts. If needed, request a transcript from the IRS.

Q: Can I e-file a prior-year return with TurboTax?
A: No, prior-year returns must be printed and mailed; e-filing is only available for the current tax year.

Q: How many years of returns does TurboTax keep?
A: TurboTax typically stores up to seven years of returns in your account.

Need more help with TurboTax or prior-year returns? Just ask!