- Prior Returns and TurboTax
Prior Returns and TurboTax Software
Select a link below:
- How do I access a prior return?
- Can I prepare or amend a prior return using this year's version of TurboTax?
- How do I amend a prior return?
- Can I e-file a prior-year return?
- How do I get prior-year TurboTax software?
- How do I apply tax-year updates to prior TurboTax software?
- What if I have problems with my prior TurboTax program?
- How do I learn the status of the prior-year return I filed?
To open, print, or view a prior return, see Access a Prior Return.
Because tax laws and forms change each year, you must use the prior tax-year version of TurboTax to prepare or amend a prior-year return. The current-year TurboTax program does not calculate taxes for prior years.
You can amend a prior-year return using TurboTax, or you can manually amend your return by completing Form 1040X. (To request forms and publications from the IRS, call 800-829-3676 or visit the IRS Web site.)
To amend a prior-year return using TurboTax, you must use that tax year's TurboTax program. For example, to amend your 2005 return, you must use the TurboTax 2005 program.
Important: After the tax-year filing deadline, TurboTax Online is deactivated. For example, TurboTax Online 2006 was deactivated after the 2006 filing deadline of October 15, 2007.
The procedure to amend your prior-year return depends on your source of prior-year data:
Use your prior-year tax data file
Follow these steps:
- Find your prior-year tax data file. (For steps, see Access Last Year's Tax Return.)
- Save a copy of your prior-year tax data file with a new name (e.g., amend_05.tax). (For steps, see Save Your Return.)
- Start the prior-year version of TurboTax desktop, and then open the copy (e.g., amend_05.tax) of your prior tax data file.
- Go to the Interview topic for Form 1040X, and then follow the instructions to amend your return.
- Print and mail your amended return.
Note: You cannot e-file an amended return.
Use a printed (or PDF) copy of your prior-year return
Follow these steps:
- Obtain a copy of your prior-year return. (See Access Last Year's Return.)
- Create a new return using the prior-year version of TurboTax.
- Complete your return by entering the data from your printed prior-year return.
- Save and print your return.
- Compare the return you completed using TurboTax with the copy of your prior-year return to ensure they match.
- Go to the TurboTax Interview topic for Form 1040X, and then follow the instructions to amend your return.
- Print and mail your amended return.
Note: You cannot e-file an amended return.
You must print and mail your return. You can verify the mailing address by visiting the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov/file/index.html.
Here are your options:
- If you've already purchased prior-year TurboTax software, you can reinstall your TurboTax CD download. For steps, click here.
- You can purchase prior-year TurboTax software from us.
Note: We support TurboTax programs for four prior tax years. Note: For information about system requirements for prior versions of TurboTax, click here.
Choose one of the following methods:
- Manually update your prior-year TurboTax program. For links to prior-year update files and instructions, click here.
If you have problems with your TurboTax program, click a link below for help.
Note: See Prior-Year TurboTax Errors for issues only in previous versions of TurboTax.
- Windows
- Mac
Contact the IRS about the status of your prior-year return. To speak with an IRS agent, call one of these toll-free numbers:
- 800-829-1040 (personal tax returns)
- 800-829-4933 (business tax returns)
