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Level 1
posted Jun 3, 2019 5:42:23 PM

How to start a return for another person based on their last year's return - desktop version? Files are on my computer.

When I started my return, TurboTax helped me populate it based on my last year's return. Now I want to start a return for another person and populate it based on their last year's return. 

Last year's return in both cases was done using Mac desktop version of TurboTax premier. All the files are on the same computer.

I can't see a way to do this.

0 1 903
1 Best answer
Level 7
Jun 3, 2019 5:42:25 PM

You will need to have their .tax2015 file on your computer also.  If so, follow these steps -

  • Choose File > New Return
  • You should get a new return with the welcome screen ("Hi, Welcome to TurboTax" with a picture of three people)
  • Click Begin
  • Now you should get a screen "Lets Get a Jumpstart on Your 2016 taxes"
  • Choose "Use a tax return that's on my computer"
  • The program will search for your .tax2015 files.  You will need to find their file in your list of files on the desktop.  It should come up with something like TheirNameTaxReturn.tax2015.  
  • You can then select it and continue with the transfer

*** If don't see their file listed when trying to transfer, use the Spotlight search on your MAC (top right corner - looks like a magnifying glass.  Do a general search for .tax or .tax2015 or TurboTax and see what files come up.

1 Replies
Level 7
Jun 3, 2019 5:42:25 PM

You will need to have their .tax2015 file on your computer also.  If so, follow these steps -

  • Choose File > New Return
  • You should get a new return with the welcome screen ("Hi, Welcome to TurboTax" with a picture of three people)
  • Click Begin
  • Now you should get a screen "Lets Get a Jumpstart on Your 2016 taxes"
  • Choose "Use a tax return that's on my computer"
  • The program will search for your .tax2015 files.  You will need to find their file in your list of files on the desktop.  It should come up with something like TheirNameTaxReturn.tax2015.  
  • You can then select it and continue with the transfer

*** If don't see their file listed when trying to transfer, use the Spotlight search on your MAC (top right corner - looks like a magnifying glass.  Do a general search for .tax or .tax2015 or TurboTax and see what files come up.