Looking for Turbotax TXF file format specification

[TheLittleDuke]

Can someone point me to where Intuit is keeping the TXF file format specification?  We would like to make .txf files of Schedule K-1 available to the users of our Geppetto Smart Document Automation system.

[TheLittleDuke · Accepted solution]

Found this -- presumably it's the latest version?

https://github.com/simonmichael/hledger/blob/master/examples/TXF-spec-v042.org

[Carl]

The TXF file format is not a TurboTax spec. It's an industry standard and you can find it at numerous places on the Internet by soing a simple google search for it.

[TheLittleDuke]

It used to be hosted here and the spec cites intuit as a maintainer.  Do you know if there is a version beyond the 2011 V42 we should be writing to?

[macuser_22]

@TheLittleDuke - I think you misunderstand.   TurboTax forms are NOT in TXF format.   TurboTax allows you to *import* certain tax information from other programs such as Quicken in TXF format.    TurboTax forms are in a format that can only be read by the TurboTax software.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-import-from-the-txf-file/01/25642

[macuser_22]

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@Carl wrote:

The TXF file format is not a TurboTax spec. It's an industry standard and you can find it at numerous places on the Internet by soing a simple google search for it.

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Until about 5 years ago Intuit owned the Quicken software but it was sold H.I.G Capital in 2016.     Quicken used TXF formats.

[TheLittleDuke]

@macuser_22 I'm not even remotely confused about the ask 😉  

I have been writing software since the Apple ][+ days...

The spec USED to live here:  http://turbotax.intuit.com/txf/

As noted above I found a copy archived in GIT.  So I'm all good for now.

Now what I'd like to see is a sample K-1 file...

[macuser_22]

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@TheLittleDuke wrote:

Now what I'd like to see is a sample K-1 file...

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No such thing.   TurboTax Forms are not files, they are incorporated into the TurboTax compiled binary software and stored at part of your tax return in a proprietary .tax form format that just consists of the data needed to reproduce the form in  a readable format on your screen that only the TurboTax software can read.    When sent to the IRS as a e-file, that data is converted to encrypted xml data according to IRS schemas.

[TheLittleDuke]

@macuser_22 I'm just not going to argue with you on this.  You clearly aren't understanding what I'm asking for.

You seem to be of the opinion that I'm confused about file formats and the proprietary one used by intuit for storing data.

I'm not. 

I was originally looking for the IMPORT specification that used to live on intuits site.   It no longer lives here.  Got it.

Now I'm looking for an example of a K-1 in TXF format...

[macuser_22]

I do not believe that K-1 form data can be imported into TurboTax or are you asking about TurboTax Business  to create a K-1 to send to others.

[VolvoGirl]

We are not clear if you are asking about importing a .txf K-1 file into Turbo Tax or how to create a .txf file to give your people to import into their personal tax return?  And what program are you using to create the business return and K-1s?

You can not use Turbo Tax to create the .txf files.  You need to use another accounting program .

Info on Importing Tax Exchange Format (.txf) files, see

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-import-from-the-txf-file/00/25642

.txf files cannot be imported into TurboTax Online or TurboTax Business.

How to import a .txf file to Windows Desktop,

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-import-from-the-txf-file/00/25642

TurboTax CD/Download software (except TurboTax Business) can import from any program that creates .txf files, such as Quicken or Quicken Rental Property Manager.

[milgeek]

You can find the latest version (42) on the internet archive for turbotax. This webpage was archived on 2012-11-03. The spec was updated 2011-11-30

https://web.archive.org/web/20121103033816/http://turbotax.intuit.com/txf/TXF042.jsp

[rsmolucha]

Intuit should publish the latest specification for the file format used to upload data from financial institutions PUBLICLY. They clearly provide this to financial institutions so that they (the banks, brokerages, etc) can produce importable streams (files) to the TurboTax program. Why should they make it public AS IT USED TO BE? Simply to enable TIMELY drafts of tax returns from, for example, private (possibly Excel-based) records. Waiting until March or April in so that the returns can be at least drafted is a real inconvenience (and frankly has negative financial impact on TurboTax users). In addition ... I don't need these now ... being able to craft an electronic import for K-1 data can save EONS of time entering the myriad of crumbs required. Anyone who says "it's public" is being disingenuous. The version from "2017" is woefully out-of-date. PLEASE SIMPLY PROVIDE THE SPEC. It just HELPS your product marketing.

[taxi4574]

You can also find the same specification in the Archive.org copy of the intuit website.

https://web.archive.org/web/201211
03033816/http://turbotax.intuit.com/txf/TXF042.jsp

[macuser_22]

TXF is a standard "Tax Exchange Format" and not TurboTax.

https://taxdataexchange.org/docs/txf/v042/index.html