@ clc2 wrote: I can't even delete a return that I started and want to erase...
...2024 TurboTax deluxe downloaded to my Windows11 desktop.
If you need to delete an unwanted, trial, or erroneous tax file ending in *.tax2024 (or other year), here's 2 methods for how to do it in Windows. Be careful to choose the right file and not your good file!
Method 1:
Launch TurboTax desktop.
You will arrive at a home page that shows large rectangular icons of your tax data files you have used recently. Those are shortcuts to the actual *.tax2024 data file.
On the unwanted file Right-click inside the rectangle to select it (but don't click on "Continue"). Once you select the rectangle it will have a wide blue border.
Then you can press Delete on your keyboard.
A popup should then appear that gives you 2 choices:
- Delete from TurboTax only.
- Delete from TurboTax and my computer.
The first choice only removes that icon shortcut but still leaves the *.tax2024 data file in your Documents/TurboTax folder (or wherever you saved it). i.e., it's still there, but you don't see it in the TurboTax interface anymore. The shortcut is gone.
The second choice (delete from TurboTax and computer) completely deletes the shortcut icon AND the actual file.
If you are completely deleting the file, then BE SURE you are deleting the right one, especially if they are similar in name. I've seen people delete their good file before. Warning: I think that choice obliterates the file without sending it first to the Recycle Bin.
Method 2:
You can delete the unwanted, erroneous, or trial *.tax2024 data file in Windows File Explorer just like any file in Windows. i.e., open the File Explorer and browse to Documents\TurboTax (or whether you stored the file), right-click on the specific data file, and then select Delete in the dropdown menu or left-click it and press Delete on the keyboard.
Be aware that this method only deletes the tax file but does not remove the shortcut icon from the main TurboTax screen. The program interface will still have a rectangular icon, but it would not longer launch anything. You can remove that icon as I discussed in Method 1.
Again, if you are completely deleting the file, then BE SURE you are deleting the right one, especially if they are similar in name.
