I purchased 2018 TurboTax Home & Business to do my 2018 taxes. The flash drive I saved my tax return on got corrupted and I cannot use that saved return to access my 2018 tax return through the desktop software. How else can I access my 2018 tax return? Previous years I did it online and have access to all of those years. Why is the desktop software not linked to my online tax account? HELP!
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Returns prepared using desktop software are never linked to your online account. They are only stored on your own hard drive or any backup device you use like a flash drive. Only returns prepared using the online software are stored online. Sorry.
If you cannot recover them due to a hard drive failure, etc. you can get a free transcript from the IRS or for a fee of $50, an actual copy of the return.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
Contact your state for copies of previous state returns.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901670-how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue
The desktop program by design is never connected to the online system ... some people prefer that security. When you use the downloaded version it is your responsibility to safeguard the information. I always suggest saving the files on more than one thumb drive along with the PDF of the returns.
If you used the 2018 online program to complete the original return you can download the .taxfile again and complete the amended return that way. If not then all you can do is recreate the original return.
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