@ GunDeck wrote:
"If that's your situation, we can tell you how to download the *.tax2019 data file you prepared online and finish and file it in your desktop software"
@ mesquitebean
How do I do what is stated above?
I bought the Desktop version... Couldn't figure out how to import the data file from the previous year that I used the Online version.
I started the 2022 online...
Would be cool if I can just import that data into the Desktop version I bought locally.
Or if I could import last years information instead of importing all the data again.
The current return you started online is a 2021 return. Last year did you use Online TurboTax for your 2020 return in that same account? If so, the 2020 info from last year's online return should have transferred into the 2021 Online return when you first started it this year (IF you are in the same account.) Did that transfer of the 2020 data occur successfully in the online product?
You mentioned 2 different scenarios, and there are indeed 2 possible approaches, and I'm not sure which one you want to do. They're done differently, and one requires starting over. Here are the 2 options, and I'll also provide the steps below for the one I think you want.
- OPTION ONE: Do you want to download the current 2021 Online data file you already started and move it to your 2021 desktop software to finish it without starting over? If so, did the online 2020 data already transfer into your 2021 Online return when you started it, and you just need to continue the return in the desktop version?
- OPTION TWO: Or do you want to download last year's *.2020 tax data file from your Online account and start a new 2021 return from scratch in the desktop software and transfer the *.tax2020 data file into it at the beginning?
I'll go ahead and take a guess with Option One. My odds are 50-50. 😁
If you already have the 2020 data now in your 2021 online return, here's the method for the first option above, which doesn't require starting over. If you want the second option (starting over and doing the 2020 transfer from scratch), you'll have to report back.
If your online 2021 return already has the 2020 data transferred into it, then here's how to download the *.tax2021 data file and continue it in the 2021 desktop software without starting over:
- With your online return open, go to the left menu column and click on TAX TOOLS and then TOOLS.
- In the Tools Center pop-up, select "Save your 2021 return to your computer."
- The file will likely download with the name taxReturn.tax2021.
- You can rename the default filename to something more recognizable, for example JohnDoeTaxReturn.tax2021. Just make sure you don't change the filename extension to the right of the dot; it has to end in *.tax2021.
- That file can now be opened in your desktop software (see note.) I don't know if you're using the Windows version or Mac.
NOTE: If you've already been preparing a state return Online, then that data file will have some data for the state return in it, too. If so, you'll need to download the state program into your desktop software before opening the file, or it will give you an error notice. To do that, you may have to start a temporary dummy desktop return just long enough to download the state program. You can later delete that temporary dummy return.
