transfer 2024 online returns to 2025 desk top purchased from Costco.

[user17740383006]

I purchased the tax program from costco and want to transfer my 2024 line information. I wants me to purchase the tax program again.   How do I transfer info with out purchasing the program again? 

[CatinaT1]

If you're using TurboTax Desktop, search your computer for a .tax2024 file when starting a 2025 return to transfer into your new return.
 

Here's more info on Transferring a Prior Year Return and Finding a Tax File on Your Computer.

[mesquitebean]

Are you trying to download your *.tax2024 data file from your Onliine TurboTax account so you can transfer it into 2025 desktop product?    If so, to get to the right place you do have to start a few screens of the 2025 online program, but you DO not have to pay for and do not have to complete a 2025 online return.   Here's a detailed response on how to get to the *.tax2024 data file in an online account.  The method depends on whether or not you have started a 2025 online return, so choose from the 2 options below:

If you have not yet started a 2025 online return:

Sign in to your account.   What you see next depends on whether or not you have already started a 2025 return in that account.   If your left column menu is minimal, and does not have a Tax Home tab displayed, that would imply you have not started preparing a 2025 return in that account.  If you haven't yet started a return, it will start asking you some questions.  Answer those preliminary questions on a few screens (you don't actually have to prepare a return), and then when you are far enough into the process, the left menu column will change, and you'll then see a Tax Home option in the left menu column.  Do not click the Documents tab.  Instead, click on Tax Home.  Then on the Tax Home screen, scroll way down to the bottom to "Your Tax Returns & Documents".  Expand that section and choose the past year you want.   If your past returns are not shown there, then you likely have multiple accounts and signed into the wrong one. We can tell you how to look for multiple accounts if it becomes necessary.

If you have already started a 2025 online return:

Log in, and if you have already started a 2025 return in that account, then it may already open at the Tax Home.  If not, click the Tax Home tab in the left column menu.  Do not use the Documents tab.  At the Tax Home scroll down and expand "Your Tax Returns & Documents."   If the past returns are not there, we can tell you how to look for multiple accounts.

[user17740383006]

I have found the on line tax returns. How do I transfer the information to the desk top version for 2025 that I have already purchased?

[mesquitebean]

---

@ user17740383006 wrote:

I have found the on line tax returns. How do I transfer the information to the desk top version for 2025 that I have already purchased?

---

If you found the 2024 return in your Online account, you should be able to download the *.tax2024 data file.  In your account it may be called a *.tax and here's how to get it:

Log into the Online TurboTax account that has the 2024 return, and at the Tax Home page scroll down to the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents."   Expand that section, and choose tax year 2024.  You should see a *.tax2024 file (or it may just say *.tax file).   When it downloads, however, it will have the *.tax2024 extension on it.   If using Windows, the best place to put the 2024 data file is in the Documents\TurboTax folder, which is the default folder for TurboTax files.

When you launch your 2025 desktop program and get to its main screen, choose to start a new return.  It should churn for a bit as it searches your computer for the 2024 data file.   If it finds it, it will ask you if you want to transfer it into 2025.   If it doesn't find it, there is a Browse button that opens up a mini File Explorer so you can point TurboTax to the location where you placed the 2024 data file.

[VolvoGirl]

@user17740383006   You can transfer your return from Online directly to the Desktop installed program. Starting in 2023 there is a new button when you start a new Desktop return. Look for Import from Turbo Tax Online -OR- Continue from Online if you already started a current Online return.