There is a core problem with this software and there is absolutely zero response on it. I switched to H&R Block and it's fine.
The "fixes" such as "your file is encrypted" or "you have to login before saving your file" are totally incorrect. The files that get created aren't just corrupt, they are actually completely blank - there is NO DATA TO RECOVER in them so there is no fix. There is simply a problem with this software, and it's a matter of time until it affects you.
Once it affects you it seems to be permanent - not even re-installing appears to work. I tried logging in, logging out, being logged into the web, not being logged into the web, changing where I saved the file, manually saving the file, save-on-exit the file, totally uninstalling > re-downloading > fresh install on a different drive, and every other combination that was mentioned or speculated in this thread and others.
I don't know if this is something as deeply buried as affecting specific processors or something crazy like that but I was simply not able to resolve it in multiple YEARS of trying and it appears there are no more actual humans working at this company
