How to open a .tax file

[VolvoGirl]

What year?   Did you download a .taxyyyy file from online?  You need that year’s Desktop program installed to open a .tax file.  Did you try downloading the pdf file instead?  A pdf is an actual copy of your tax return.   

How to Access prior year online returns
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/00/270...

If you can't get the side menus to open up to access the prior year..... You need to start entering some basic Personal Info in 2024 for the side menu to open up. Just continue a little ways into 2024. I had to go though about 12 screens.

If you used the Desktop CD/Download program then the only copy is on your computer and not saved or stored online. So you need to make and keep your own backups.

Or request a transcript from the IRS
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Or get a copy of your return using form 4506
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

[rjs]

Is the file name extension just .tax, or is it .tax with a year, such as .tax2024? If it's just .tax, without a year, it's not a TurboTax file unless it's from before 2008. If it's .tax with a year, see VolvoGirl's reply above.

[VolvoGirl]

Turbo Tax doesn't have programs older than 3 years.  Even if you find one on Ebay or Amazon or somewhere you won’t be able to update it or download the state program.

You could try the TaxPrinter service (not connected with Turbo Tax) to convert a .tax file to pdf at

http://www.taxprinter.com  They might be expensive.