@ amielp69 wrote:
i think i followed the thread. I've been on the phone with some poor fellow who doesn't get what i'm asking but its this exact thread. I use desktop turbo tax. I completed 2021 desktop return but for some reason when i started the 2021 return it didn't pick up my 2020 tax data. (not sure why since i can pull up the 2020 return using my 2020 turbo tax). i didn't realize until i was halfway through so proceeded to finish and file my 2021 return. But now the "Tax History Report" that shows five year tax history only reflects 2021. Not a huge deal but would be nice to be able to input the prior years dats from my 2020 turbo tax data which is on the same laptop. TT online experts were stumped. Said couldn't do it. so apparently if you don't import at the start you cant do it!.
"so apparently if you don't import at the start you cant do it!"
That's correct--in regard to a previous year's data into a new current year return. The correct term TurboTax and the forum uses is "transfer" of 2020 data into 2021. "Import" actually refers to a different function, such as importing 1099 tax forms or W-2's, which can be done later.
Here's how it normally works in the Windows product; I don't use a Mac, and you didn't say what you use. You can only transfer 2020 data into a 2021 return at the very beginning when you start a 2021 return. In the Windows version of TurboTax, after you launch the program and choose to start a new tax return, the program churns a bit as it searches your computer for the *.tax2020 data file. The most common location is the \Documents\TurboTax folder unless you chose another location for it. If it finds the 2020 data file, it displays a Transfer button/link.
If no *.tax2020 data file is found, one can use the "Browse" button. That opens an Explorer directory tree, where one can point TurboTax to the location of the *.tax2020 data file.
If you're using the Windows version, I don't know why it didn't search your computer, or if it did search, but didn't find the *.tax2020 data file, unless it was in an odd location.
Since you say can still open your 2020 tax file with 2020 TurboTax, you can use that product to make a PDF of the Tax History report up to that time, or print a copy, to have handy for viewing. Or you can save a 2020 PDF with all of forms and worksheets to view throughout the year without needing the TurboTax program. I save 2 PDFs every year--one PDF of the return "as filed", and one of the return with all the worksheets.
NOTE: Remember all PDF tax documents and tax data files are very sensitive files, since they contain your personal ID info, financial data, and possibly bank account numbers, etc. Be sure to store them safely and securely to guard against computer theft, hacking, etc.
