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February 24, 2021
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No Option to Download 2017 .tax File, Can Only Download PDF

  • February 24, 2021
  • 1 reply
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I am using TurboTax Desktop and need to amend my 2017 tax return, which was done in TurboTax online.  I have followed numerous TT help articles, to no avail. This article from TurboTax says simply go to TurboTax and select "Show Documents From 2017", when I do that, my only option is to download the PDF.

 

How do I obtain the 2017 .tax file?

    Best answer by DoninGA

    Yup, I've used Online in the past, this is the first year I am using Desktop as I need to amend a previous return (2017), which they apparently do not allow you to do online. So, now I've spent the extra money for this product that TT support articles told me I needed to buy, that I can not use because the other TT support articles are incorrect, and I do not have access tot he files they tell me to simply download.

     

    Why exactly did I just spend over a hundred dollars? Additionally, I have premier but I cannot for the life of me figure out a way to get in contact with a human, let alone an email address at TurboTax. this is getting seriously frustrating.


    To access your prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the User ID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

    Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and on the section Your tax returns & documents click on Show.  Click on the Year and Click on Download .tax file

    1 reply

    Kat11_2
    Employee
    February 24, 2021

    Curious.  I know there has been a problem with users accessing 2018 .tax files; I haven't heard of a problem with 2017.

     

    Before I ask you to call TurboTax Support, I'll ask if you've begun a TurboTax Online return for 2020.  Sometimes even beginning a current-year return (just personal info, basically), will unlock prior-year returns.  I can't say if this will work, but it's worth a try.

     

    One other thing:  If you typically use the Free Edition of TurboTax, you may need to purchase the minimum paid product to access prior-year returns.  But you'll see that hyperlink in the TurboTax article you cited in your question.  Telephone Support, too, is not a feature of the Free Edition of TurboTax.

     

    How do I contact TurboTax? 

     

     

    *** I am NOT a tax expert. I am a seasoned TurboTax user, and volunteer to provide assistance to TT users. Nothing I post is to be considered TAX ADVICE; I bear no legal liability for responses.***
    February 24, 2021

    It's possible in 2017 I used free, but since then I've always used a paid product, and this year is no different, where I'm using TT Premium (Desktop).

     

    I'm also unable to download 2018 .tax files as well, only seeing a PDF option. So it would appear that I'm having an issue with both.

    Kat11_2
    Employee
    February 25, 2021

    Based on what you've said, the Free Edition shouldn't be the issue.  There is an active article about 2018; I'll share it here.  You can sure sign up to be notified for that.

     

    Why can't I download my 2018 .tax file in TurboTax... (intuit.com)

     

    Maybe try to contact Support about your 2017 tax data file.  If it's on the servers (as it should be), they should be able to help.

     

     

    *** I am NOT a tax expert. I am a seasoned TurboTax user, and volunteer to provide assistance to TT users. Nothing I post is to be considered TAX ADVICE; I bear no legal liability for responses.***