Restore from pdf

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
April 23, 2026
2 replies
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I bought a new computer and installed Home/Business 2025. I completed and efiled the taxes. Then the computer crashed and had to be reset to factory settings. I reinstalled Turbo Tax. Can I restore from the PDF backup I have?

Thanks

Kathie

Bsch4477

Level 15

Unfortunately you can’t restore the tax file from a pdf. You would have to recreate your tax return.

Monikak11

Level 2

You cannot directly restore a TurboTax .tax data file from a PDF, but you can use the PDF to manually re-enter data. You can use the PDF from the previous year to transfer key information (name, SSN, AGI) into the current year.

If you used the desktop version and didn't back up the .tax file, it is likely lost. Search your computer for files ending in .tax202X (e.g., .tax2025) or check for backup files starting with a tilde, such as ~yourname.tax2025, which may be created during crashes.

When using TurboTax Desktop, it is a good idea to save your work periodically and to save a backup copy of the .tax file to a storage device. Otherwise, TurboTax just asks if you want to save the file when you are ready to close the program.

See this IRS webpage for information to order a free transcript of your account or to order a complete copy of your return. I am glad you were able to complete and e-file your return before this happened.