TurboTax Downloaded version for MacOS - Not transferring prior year's data

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
November 19, 2021
5 replies
54 views

Downloaded MacOS version of TurboTax 2021last week and downloaded updated version today (11/19/21 - 2021.r05.021) and started new return. Program shows prior year tax file available for transfer, but when select it and request transfer of prior data, program reports that transfer was successful but no data is transferred - all blank. This is the case whether attempting to use the prior year TurboTax file (format: XXXXX.tax2020) or trying to use the .pdf file created by TurboTax last year.

2020 version of TurboTax MacOS will open and transfer the 2019 tax data, but the 2020 version will not open the 2020 tax data file. I am concerned that the 2021 version of TT MacOS corrupted the data in the prior year tax file.

Any similar experiences or suggestions? Thanks very much. (Do not want to manually enter all my data!)

macuser_22

Alumni - Champ

It works fine for me. I have several 2020 .tax files that I test with an they all transferred to 2021 without a hitch.

Also transfer only READS the .tax filwe and cannot write to it. If you still have the 2020 version try opening the 2020 .tax file with that (use "File -> Open Tax Return", don't double click the 2020 .tax file or it will try to use the latest version of the software (2021 not 2020). If it will not open then the file is corrupted.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

GTSeattleAuthor

Level 2

Are you using the latest version of the MacOS - Monterey 12.0.1? That upgrade came along after TurboTax 2021 was published. I am wondering if there is some incompatibility.

macuser_22

Alumni - Champ

No, I am on Catalina, but the software is independent of the OS as long as you have OSX 10.15 or higher.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

jsbigs

Level 2

Same issue here. I just purchased and downloaded TurboTax Premier 2021 (from Amazon), installed and updated the program, and transferred last year's return (*.tax2020 file), and yet no data transfers to the new return. On a Mac running OS 11.6.1 (Big Sur). I've been using TT for the last eight years and this is the first time I've encountered this (seemingly basic) issue. My only thought is with the typically frequent updates to TT that occur early in the tax year this will be fixed, but honestly, this should never have been released with this bug.

bickleyc

Level 2

Yes I am having the same problem not being able to transfer prior years taxes for MacOS

HeatherPLO

Level 14

@bickleyc

Please reference the above steps by @MichelleLO for further assistance with this experience.

If you continue to have issues with your software not opening or importing your 2020 tax file, please reach out to Customer Support.

What is the TurboTax phone number?

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

GTSeattleAuthor

Level 2

UPDATE as of February 5, 2022.

After two MacOS updates, and at least three updates to the TurboTax software, TurboTax 2021 finally transferred the data from my prior year's (2020) TurboTax file into the 2021 TurboTax return.

I wish I could explain what specifically happened to cause it to finally work. My only suggestion is to make sure you are using the latest MacOS and have allowed TurboTax to download and install its latest version (which for me is TurboTax Version: 2021.r15.074 and MacOS Version: Monterey 12.2)

Bergerman2

Level 2

Awesome, mine finally did as well! Thanks for the heads up.

WDCJr

Level 2

Running into the same problem. TurboTax website says it is unable to locate my 2021 and 2020 returns, although 2019 and prior returns are there. Needless to say, I did file with TurboTax for 2021 and 2020 returns, and I have never had a problem prior to this year regarding data transfer.

macuser_22

Alumni - Champ

@WDCJr wrote:

Running into the same problem. TurboTax website says it is unable to locate my 2021 and 2020 returns, although 2019 and prior returns are there. Needless to say, I did file with TurboTax for 2021 and 2020 returns, and I have never had a problem prior to this year regarding data transfer.

See:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/data-systems/find-tax-data-file-mac/L4VNGm33S_US_en_US

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

thetravhi

Level 2

I had this problem last year and I am having it again this year. I am on a Mac 12.4 and I have used Turbotax for years and it always imports the previous year easily. Last year, when TurboTax upgraded and required Mac to be at 12.4, the import no longer works. It no longer sees the previous year file, and when you find the file and hit "transfer" nothing happens. I have tried updating and duplicating the 2021 tax file, no success. I have tried restarting my computer, no success. I have tried printing the 2021 file as a PDF and importing it that way, 2022 Turbo Tax sees it, but doesn't import.

Support was nice, but unhelpful. Any ideas? Any one else having this problem? Support thinks it is my file sharing settings? I don't think so.

Thank you.

-Mike