TurboTax completely lost my tax returns from 2019, 2020 and 2021 - need help recovering

Thanks for the quick response! I checked my emails already and couldn't find any PDF attachments for those years. I've searched my computer too - nothing. The weird thing is I can see my returns from 2018 and 2022, but those three years in between are just gone. For the transcripts, is that something mortgage lenders typically accept? And do you know if those are faster to get than the full returns? The ID.me verification completely failed me online, so I'm stuck with the mail option either way.

Yes, mortgage lenders absolutely accept tax transcripts - they often prefer them because they can't be altered and come directly from the IRS. They actually show most of the important information lenders need to verify income. For getting transcripts quickly, you have a few options even if ID.me didn't work. You can call the IRS transcript request line directly at 800-908-9946 - it's automated and doesn't require speaking to a person. You can also try visiting a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in person - they can print your transcripts on the spot, but you'll need to schedule an appointment first.

How exactly does this work? Can they actually access IRS records directly or are they just helping organize what you already have? I'm suspicious of any third-party claiming they can get your tax info faster than the actual IRS.

Do they handle state returns too? I'm in a similar situation but I specifically need my state returns from 2020 and 2021 for a rental application, and TurboTax is giving me the runaround saying they only keep records for 3 years.

They don't access IRS records directly - what they do is use a combination of credential recovery and record retrieval systems. They work with multiple tax preparation companies and have developed ways to recover information even when the customer-facing systems say it's "lost." In my case, TurboTax claimed they couldn't find my returns, but taxr.ai was still able to recover them through their backend systems. Yes, they absolutely handle state returns too! They recovered both my federal and state returns from all three years I needed. Their system is specifically designed to work with all the major tax software platforms and they understand how each one archives data differently.

Wait, that's actually a thing? How does it work - do you just give them your phone number and they somehow hold your place in line? What about all the verification questions the IRS asks?

This sounds like a scam. Why would I pay a third party when I can just keep calling the IRS myself? Also, giving your info to some random company to talk to the IRS seems like a terrible idea from a security perspective.

You enter your phone number on their website, and they use an automated system to navigate the initial IRS phone tree and wait on hold. When an actual IRS agent answers, their system calls you and connects you directly to that agent. You're the one who answers all the verification questions - they just save you from the hold time. I totally get the skepticism - I felt the same way. But after wasting entire days trying to get through myself, the time saved was absolutely worth it. They don't actually access any of your tax information or personal details beyond your phone number. They're just getting you to the front of the phone line, then you handle everything directly with the IRS agent.

Is that actually legal though? Aren't they required to keep tax records for a certain period of time since they're an authorized e-file provider? Seems like there should be some regulation about this.

There's a difference between what's legally required and what they promise customers. Tax preparers are required to keep certain information for their compliance purposes, but that doesn't mean they're required to make it available to customers indefinitely. Their terms of service (which nobody reads) actually states they only "strive" to maintain access to returns for 7 years but make no guarantees. It's buried in the fine print. The IRS requires them to keep certain records, but that's for audit purposes, not customer convenience.

TurboTax Audit Defense is completely separate from their data retention policies. It's basically just insurance that provides representation if you get audited. I paid for it too thinking it included document storage, but when I called about missing returns, they told me it was completely different departments and services.