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Level 1
posted Mar 28, 2021 3:15:04 PM

Error in converting your forms to PDF format

In the section: Print and mail these forms to the government: I am getting and error message: "Your forms can not be printed. Error in converting your forms to PDF format."

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24 Replies
Level 15
Mar 28, 2021 3:16:20 PM

Be sure you have Adobe Acrobat installed.

New Member
Apr 16, 2021 12:42:24 PM

Getting the same response on TT Deluxe 2020 version.  

 

New Member
Apr 16, 2021 12:43:31 PM

Also note, I have Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (32-bit) installed and updated.  I open & print PDF files all day long!

Expert Alumni
Apr 16, 2021 2:12:47 PM

Do you get the same message if you try to save to PDF from both this Print/Save Link and from the File menu in the upper-left corner? 

 

Click this link for more info on Saving Tax Returns that may help you. 

 

 

Level 2
Mar 4, 2022 1:07:39 PM

still a problem in 2022 ... helpdesk unhelpful

Intuit Alumni
Mar 4, 2022 1:53:50 PM

Can you provide the answer to the question MarilynJoy had posed to another user above please - this way we may appropriately assist @gcw2.

Level 2
Mar 4, 2022 2:12:19 PM

I e-filed. (Federal and state.) After e-filing, I got the message that even though I had e-filed, I still needed to send in some forms by regular mail. It gave me the option to either save those forms or print those forms. Both options returned the error message that that mysterious file couldn't be converted to pdf format. (BTW, the file name was supposed to be something like ***1040***RequiredForms.pdf) So, I have no clue what forms I have to mail in now,  either to the Feds and/or the state. 

Intuit Alumni
Mar 4, 2022 2:48:12 PM

You should be able to see which forms need to be mailed when you view your entire return. If you are using the Desktop software, you may need to run an update. I have also provided a help article below that may assist with printing issues. If these suggestions do not resolve your issue, please respond back here and let us know:

 

Troubleshoot printing issues

 

 

Level 2
Mar 5, 2022 12:07:13 PM

I find it quite remarkable that I have to manually fix a bug that has been - given the messages posted -- in TurboTax (deluxe ! ) for at least 3 years now. Not customer friendly ... . 

Level 2
Mar 18, 2022 10:32:16 AM

AHHH!  I am going crazy.  I am getting the same message in Turbo Tax 2022 Business and HOme. 

error viewing your tax return

Your tax return cannot be converted to PDF format

 

Please help!

Mary

Level 2
Mar 18, 2022 10:33:47 AM

How did you fix it?

Intuit Alumni
Mar 19, 2022 10:40:32 AM

@mb1031

 

We are unable to see what version of TurboTax you are using.  However, if you are using the Desktop/Windows software, you may need to run an update

 

Additionally, please see the printing troubleshooting Help Article here.  

 

If this does not resolve your experience, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here.  This ensures you will get to the correct department as quickly as possible.

New Member
Apr 9, 2022 2:08:55 PM

I had the same issue in TT2022 and I was able to get it resolved. In my case, and maybe in many people's cases too, the problem lies in Microsoft Windows 10 Defender blocking TurboTax from accessing and modifying some folders, which is a protection against ransomware. On a temporary basis (emphasis on temporary), you can disable this feature called Controlled Folder Access, and you should be able to print your forms. Make sure you re-enable it right away.

 

To do this, use Windows search box at the bottom of the screen and search for Controlled Folder Access. On that page, turn it off (using the slider button). Go back to Turbo Tax and print your forms. Go back to re-enable Controlled Folder Access.

 

For those who know their way around Windows, you can also just add TurboTax to the list of applications allowed to bypass CFA, but you'd have to do this every year for the new versions.

New Member
Apr 10, 2022 7:40:24 AM

I too have this problem in Turbo Tax 2021 Home and Business running in Windows 10. I have already saved the tax return and calculation worksheets in PDF format to my computer so that works. But right after filing the Federal and State returns I got this page saying I had to send in some paperwork. None of the options to create and save a PDF or print a form work - they all fail with this Error in converting your forms to PDF format. I am up to date (it updated today) and have no idea what this form is. There is nothing in the tax return which looks like a form that I need to mail.

 

One possible answer for me - there is a note that I need to mail copies of a Long Term care premium to West Virginia. Perhaps the system is trying to print that out?

New Member
Apr 10, 2022 4:31:25 PM

I too am having this issue. I have saved my return as a pdf without a problem. However, when I try to print whatever I am supposed to be sending to the government, it will not let me print it. Any solution will be most appreciated.

Level 2
Apr 10, 2022 6:29:11 PM

don’t print it from turbo tax. Save it as a PDF then, Print it from adobe acrobat, open the PDF that you saved and print it that way…. if that makes sense… that is how i had to print my taxes.

Level 2
Apr 14, 2022 7:01:40 AM

This worked for me.

Level 2
Apr 14, 2022 7:09:39 AM

This answer is not very helpful.   I also called the help desk and got NO help.  

The only way I could print was to save the PDF file and then print from Adobe Acrobat.

Turbo tax needs to fix this problem.

 

 

Level 2
Apr 14, 2022 7:10:50 AM

I had to figure this problem out for myself!

Level 1
Apr 15, 2022 7:27:00 PM

Ok, I can save my whole return, but how do I know what I need to mail?  There's no form 8453 in the files with anything checked (although I do have a form 8949).  Everywhere I have a "need to mail" checkbox it is set to no.  Maybe I have to mail the 8949, but how would I know that?  I have RSUs so the cost basis wasn't reported to the IRS.  I guess just being able to view it is unhelpful without any direction on what needs to be mailed.

Level 2
Mar 13, 2023 9:10:20 AM

I am having this issue with my 2022 Home & Business return (I did not have the issue with my 2021 Home & Business return). I am using a Desktop version of TurboTax on a Windows 10 machine and I have updated to the latest version of TurboTax. I have also disabled the Controlled Folder Access, but it is not working. Any suggestions?

Level 2
Mar 13, 2023 9:33:19 AM

Hi.

I had a similar problem last year, but it was a problem with printing.

What i had to do last year was save my files as a PDF file and then print from the PDF file.

If I remember correctly, i did not have a problem converting to a PDF file, but I did have a problem trying to print.   

 

So I am sorry but I guess I don't have any suggestions for you.

 

Mary

Level 2
Mar 13, 2023 9:47:55 AM

Thanks, but that does not work for me either. My best guess is that there is no form that I need to print and TurboTax is mistaken (the form I needed to print last year was a change of address, and there have been no significant changes to my business/return since then). I am speaking with a customer service representative, but they have not yet been able to find the issue.

Level 2
Mar 13, 2023 10:45:31 AM

The customer service representative that I spoke with escalated the issue to a tier 2 representative, but they were also not able to correct the issue and suggested that I speak with a tax accountant to determine which form TurboTax is telling me to print. I was then told that I could receive a refund on my TurboTax purchase by filling out this form:

 

https://accounts.intuit.com/app/oirr

 

Far from ideal, so if anyone is able to confirm a solution to this issue, please let me know.