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New Member
posted Feb 16, 2026 11:32:15 AM

How do I recover a deleted return?

I have inadvertantly deleted a return I was working on. how do I get it back?

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3 Replies
Employee Tax Expert
Feb 18, 2026 11:29:06 AM

On your Windows desktop.

  • Locate the Recycle Bin ICON
  • Click on it
  • This will give you the option to restore a deleted file.

New Member
Feb 19, 2026 12:33:26 PM

Sorry, I have a Mac.

Employee Tax Expert
Feb 19, 2026 3:14:42 PM

If you deleted the file recently through Finder, it is likely still in your Trash.

 

  1. Open the Trash from your Dock.
  2. Search for a file ending in .tax2024 (or whichever year you were working on).
  3. Right-click the file and select Put Back. This returns it to its original folder (usually Documents > TurboTax) so the software can find it easily.

Sometimes the file isn't deleted; it was just moved.

 

  1. Press Command + Spacebar and type .tax
  2. If a list of returns appears, look for the one with the most recent date.
  3. Hold the Command key while clicking the file in the search results to see exactly which folder it is sitting in.