Federal Taxes Rejected - TurboTax not opening return to let me correct them

[Tomas5]

My federal taxes were rejected. I know the error, I know what to fix, and TurboTax won't let me open my return to correct it. The message I keep receiving says, "Looks like your tax file is corrupt. Try again, and if that doesn't work open a new return..."

How is the file corrupt? It was automatically saved through the TurboTax application. I'd rather not spend another 3-4 hours to redo the whole return. 

I've found a few threads here tied to seeing this message when importing last year's files, but I'm not doing that. I've tried importing other backups of my 2022 return, as well as a PDF version of my finished 2022 return, and none of them work. I can't be the only one experiencing this issue.

I'm assuming I need to change something in the file properties. I don't understand how a file could be corrupted when TurboTax is automatically saving in the background unless its a known bug. I've used TurboTax for 8 years, and have the last 3 versions on my Desktop. 

Note: My product has the latest updates

[Tomas5]

Just to add - I found a non-Intuit site suggesting how to fix the corrupted file. I ran a scan of the folder containing these files and there weren't any errors. 

[KatrinaLO]

When your e-filed return comes back as rejected, it just means that the IRS has sent your return back to you for correction. To fix your reject, sign back in to TurboTax and follow the instructions to correct the error. Please see the information in this TurboTax FAQ here for assistance.

If you need additional assistance, please click here to contact customer support. 

[Tomas5]

@KatrinaLO 

Yes, I understand that. The issue was TurboTax would not open my return once I signed back in. 

I purchased TurboTax Premier from Costco. Included in the installation instructions is a section stating, "For product and technical support, call [phone number removed]." 

I called the number and was connected to a nice gentlemen who admitted he was a tax expert, and not a tech expert. When asked if he could route me to tech support, he was unaware there was such a number. He recommended against using the desktop version of TurboTax and told me I should try online next year. 

After trying to resolve the "corrupted" file on my own for several hours, I went ahead and just redid my return. I had to pay an additional $20 to file the State return again, and now need to submit a refund request for the first time I tried to file. 

[KatrinaLO]

I'm not sure why you were receiving a corrupted file message.  When you buy the CD at Costco you can prepare your state return but have to pay a fee for e-filing it. Printing and mailing is free. You may have purchased the version that only has one state e-filing included.  The program is sold with and without a state program included (for those users who don't have to file a state return)  and  only the federal return is free to efile (limit of 5) but there has always been an efile fee for each state you choose to efile.   

If you need additional assistance, please click here to contact customer support.

[Jersey 08]

Same problem with my 2022 Turbotax. E-filing got rejected needs correction on the return, but unable to open the tax file anymore, the program kept saying the tax file is corrupted. Called turbotax and spend 3+ hours on the phone with technician tried multiple attempts to uninstall / reinstall and update the program, but still can't solve the issue. My tax return has more than 150 pages, it drives me crazy to start all over again:(  The technician said it might be something wrong with my computer. How could it be possible? I was using the same computer for my 2019-2021 turbotax files, never got the corrupt file issue before. TurboTax got to take a look into this issue seriously!

[CassLO]

If you are using the Windows Desktop program see if you have the Tilde ~ file.  It is a copy of your file and it starts with a Tilde ~ sign. That's in case you lose the real file so you can restore it. These files should be under Documents then in a Turbo Tax folder or search your computer for all files ending in .tax or .tax2022.

"VolvoGirl Level 152"

For more information and instructions on how to fix your rejected return, please see the TurboTax FAQ below:

• How do I fix a rejected return?
• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?
• Previous year and current tax return file corrupt.

@Jersey 08