I am trying to access my 2018 tax return, but it won't let me access it without filing taxes first, even though we've filed with turbotax lax year. Is there another way?

If you used the TurboTax Free edition for tax year 2018 then you will need to start a 2019 tax return, enter your personal information and then upgrade and pay for the Plus edition before access to prior year tax returns is available.

You can also get free transcripts of your federal return from the IRS - http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript

For a fee of $50 you can get a complete federal tax return from the IRS by completing Form 4506 - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created.  TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for when access to the online tax returns expire - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/when-does-access-to-my-prior-year-turbotax-...

 The 2019 online editions are available so you can start a 2019 tax return using the Free edition then upgrade and pay for Plus so that you can access the prior year online tax returns - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

1. Select Upgrade in the left-hand menu. (If you can't see it, select the menu icon in the upper-left corner, and/or select Take me to my return if you're not in your return yet.).
2. In the new window, select PLUS, then select Upgrade Now (if PLUS is grayed-out, skip this step).
3. Now you're ready to pay. On the left side, select File.
4. Keep going until you reach the Just a few steps left... screen. On this screen, select Start next to Step 1: Review your order and follow the screens to pay with your credit card (don't pay with your refund if you see that option).
5. After you've paid, select Tax Home on the left side. This will take you to You're doing great. Keep going!
6. Select Show next to Your tax returns documents to expand the prior-year list and then select Download/print return (PDF) for the tax year you want.