How to Print or Save Your TurboTax Return as a PDF

A saved copy of your return is one of the handiest documents you can have. You may need it to apply for a loan, to transfer into next year's software, to amend the return later, or to respond if a tax authority has a question. Saving a PDF takes a minute and pays off for years.

This is an independent guide and not affiliated with Intuit.

In the desktop version, open your return and look for the option to save or print. Choose to save as a PDF, pick a folder you'll remember, and give the file a clear name that includes the tax year. The program creates a complete PDF of your return.

If you used TurboTax Online, sign in and open your filed return. There's generally a download option that produces a PDF you can save to your computer. Once filing season closes, access can get limited, so download your copy promptly after you file.

When saving, you may be able to choose how much to include:

• The filed return only: the forms you actually submitted, which is the lean option.
• The full copy with worksheets: includes the supporting calculations, which is handy for your own reference and for amending later.

Saving the fuller version is usually worth the extra pages.

If you'd like a printout, use the print option and send it to your printer. A paper copy is helpful if you're mailing a state return or you simply prefer a physical file. Make sure all the pages print, and store them with your other tax documents.

Keep your PDF somewhere backed up, like a cloud folder plus a local copy, rather than relying on a single device. Tax records are worth holding onto for several years. A clearly named file and a consistent folder make finding last year's return effortless when you need it.