Save Your Tax Return as a PDF File

In TurboTax Online, you won't be able to save a PDF copy of your tax return until after you've paid the TurboTax fee (or registered, if you're using a free version).

Also, we automatically save PDF copies of all completed and filed returns after TurboTax Online shuts down in mid-October. Click here for instructions on how to access these prior-year PDF returns.

To save a PDF copy of your tax return in TurboTax Online:

1. Sign in to your TurboTax Online return.
2. At the top of the page, select the Print & File tab, and then select Print/Save for Your Records right below it.
3. The Print and Save Center screen appears. Select the View/Print button in the Forms for Your Records box.
4. The Your Tax Documents pop-up window appears. Click the floppy disk icon (Save) at the top of the screen.
5. Specify the location to save your return, and then select Save.

Although TurboTax saves your tax return as a .tax file, it's a very good idea to also save your completed return as a PDF file. This enables you to view and print your tax return even if TurboTax is uninstalled or your .tax file gets corrupted.

1. Open your tax return in TurboTax.
2. Go to the File menu at the top of the screen and select Save To PDF.
3. In the Save As PDF window that opens, you can select options other than the default All official forms required for filing.
4. (Optional) Click the Preview button to view an onscreen version of the PDF file.
5. Click the Save As PDF button.
6. In the Save As window, change the default location if desired, and then click Save.

By default, TurboTax saves .tax and PDF files in the My Documents > TurboTax folder.

Although TurboTax saves your tax return as a .tax file, it's a very good idea to also save your completed return as a PDF file. This enables you to view and print your tax return even if TurboTax is uninstalled or your .tax file gets corrupted.

1. Open your tax return in TurboTax.
2. Go to the File menu, then select Print.
3. Select Tax Return for Filing, and then select Print.
4. To view the file before printing, select Preview.
5. To print the file, from the File menu, select Save As.
6. At Format, select PDF, and then click Save.

Once you save a copy of your tax return on your computer or flash drive, make sure you protect the personal information, Social Security number, and bank information in your tax return.

Actions you can take include but are not limited to:

• Downloading and installing the latest updates for Windows or Macintosh;
• Keeping your firewall on at all times;
• Installing and running up-to-date virus- and spyware-protection software;
• Ensuring that sensitive files are stored in a location where they cannot be shared;
• Moving your tax file off your computer and onto a secured storage device.

Once you have saved the return as a PDF, copy it to a removable storage device (CD, flash drive, etc.) or e-mail it to a webmail account such as Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail.

On the computer you wish to print from, make sure Adobe Acrobat Reader or Foxit Reader is installed. (You can download them for free from the Adobe or Foxit Reader websites.)

Then insert the storage device (or open your webmail account) and double-click the PDF file to open it in the Reader software. Click the Print icon or go to File > Print.