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To download a prior-year TurboTax return, sign in to the same Intuit account you used to prepare or file it, open Documents or Tax Home > Your tax returns & documents, select the tax year, and download the PDF. TurboTax says online account holders can access returns for the past seven years, though that does not guarantee every return will appear in every account.

Download a prior-year return from TurboTax Online

  1. Sign in to the TurboTax account used to prepare or file the return.
  2. If you see a prior-year summary after signing in, select Continue. On the next product or pricing screen, scroll down and select Your tax returns & documents.
  3. Select the tax year you need, then choose Download/print return (PDF).

You can also open Documents, select the tax year from the dropdown, and choose Download tax PDF. From Tax Home, scroll to Your tax returns & documents, choose the year, and select Download/print return (PDF). TurboTax’s prior-year return instructions were updated August 17, 2026; labels may change, so use the closest matching options currently shown in your account.

The PDF is the option to keep or print a readable copy. A .tax data file is intended for tax-software workflows and is not needed just to view the return.

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Find a return that is missing from your account

First check whether you signed in with a different Intuit user ID than the one used to file. TurboTax identifies the wrong user ID as a common reason a prior return is missing; use its account recovery process if you cannot identify or access the account.

#1 Best Overall
TurboTax Deluxe Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
  • TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
  • Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
  • Recommended if you own a home, have charitable donations, high medical expenses and need to file both Federal & State Tax Returns
  • Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary).
  • Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)

Where TurboTax Desktop and Business returns are stored

TurboTax Desktop

Desktop returns are saved locally on the computer where they were created, rather than stored in the online account. Search that computer and any backups. For TurboTax Desktop Business on Windows, TurboTax identifies Documents > TurboTax as the default folder and describes using Browse Files to bring a prior return into a new Desktop Business return.

TurboTax Online Business

Open Documents, select the year, open the three-dot menu beside the PDF, and select download. If the return is absent there, TurboTax says you can request business data under Data & Privacy > Download. TurboTax estimates that a prepared data request usually takes up to 15 days; this is a vendor estimate, not a guaranteed delivery date.

Rank #2
TurboTax Home & Business Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
  • TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
  • Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
  • Recommended if you are self-employed, an independent contractor, freelancer, small business owner, sole proprietor, or consultant
  • Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary)
  • Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)

Returns prepared elsewhere or overwritten

TurboTax does not hold returns prepared by another provider, so contact the original preparer or request a federal record from the IRS. TurboTax says it cannot recover a return that was overwritten by another return in the same TurboTax Online account; the IRS transcript or copy options below may help with a federal return.

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Choose an IRS record if TurboTax cannot provide the file

The right IRS option depends on whether you need tax-line information or a complete copy. A transcript is free and often sufficient when a school, lender, or other organization needs income or line items. If the requester requires the complete originally filed return and its attachments, a transcript is not a substitute.

Rank #3
[OLD VERSION] TurboTax Premier 2024 Tax Software, Federal & State Tax Return [PC/MAC Download]
  • Recommended if you sold stock, bonds or mutual funds, sold employee stock, own rental property or are a trust beneficiary
  • Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary).
  • NEW. Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)
  • Get your taxes done right and keep more of your investment and rental property income
  • Step-by-step guidance on stocks, bonds, ESPPs and other investment income
IRS option What you receive Cost and delivery
Tax return transcript Most line items from the original Form 1040-series return as filed, along with forms and schedules; it is not a photocopy. Free. Through an IRS Individual Online Account, you can view, print, or download transcripts for the current tax year and three prior tax years. The IRS says mailed transcripts generally arrive in 5 to 10 calendar days at the address on file. Older years may require Form 4506-T.
Complete return copy A photocopy of the previously filed federal return with attachments. IRS routine-access guidance lists a $50 fee per copy. Submit Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return; check the current form for filing instructions and processing estimates.

If an organization will accept a transcript, confirm that before paying for a full copy. These IRS options concern federal returns; for a state return, check with the relevant state tax agency.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
TurboTax Deluxe Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
TurboTax Deluxe Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use; Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
$79.99
Bestseller No. 2
TurboTax Home & Business Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
TurboTax Home & Business Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use; Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
$129.99
Bestseller No. 3
[OLD VERSION] TurboTax Premier 2024 Tax Software, Federal & State Tax Return [PC/MAC Download]
[OLD VERSION] TurboTax Premier 2024 Tax Software, Federal & State Tax Return [PC/MAC Download]
Get your taxes done right and keep more of your investment and rental property income; Step-by-step guidance on stocks, bonds, ESPPs and other investment income
$114.99
Bestseller No. 4
TurboTax Premier Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
TurboTax Premier Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use; Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
$114.99
Bestseller No. 5
TurboTax Business Desktop Edition 2025, Federal Tax Return [Win11 Download]
TurboTax Business Desktop Edition 2025, Federal Tax Return [Win11 Download]
TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use; Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
$189.99
Best Value
TurboTax Business Desktop Edition 2025, Federal Tax Return [Win11 Download]
  • TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
  • Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
  • Recommended if you have a partnership, own an S or C Corp, Multi-Member LLC, manage a trust or estate, or need to file a separate tax return for your business
  • Includes 5 Federal e-files. Business State forms sold separately via download. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary).
  • Prepare and file your business or trust taxes with confidence
Rank #4
TurboTax Premier Desktop Edition 2025, Federal & State Tax Return [Win11/Mac14 Download]
  • TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
  • Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
  • Recommended if you sold stock, bonds or mutual funds, sold employee stock, own rental property or are a trust beneficiary.
  • Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary).
  • Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)

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