How to Upload 2024 data for 2025 online version

[user17537218637]

I've purchased and used the disc version of TT for years.  My current desktop is not upgradable to Windows 11 so I will be using a laptop without a disc drive.  If I use the online version for 2025 taxes, how will my 2024 history upload to the new return?

[mesquitebean]

@user17537218637 

EDITED 09/29/2025 at 7:39 PM Pacific

First see the comments that @VolvoGirl  left you below.  I read your question too fast and focused on your mention of the online version and missed the part about a laptop without a CD drive.   As VolvoGirl explained, if that laptop has Windows 11 on it, you won't need a CD drive.   In fact, there is no CD anymore.  You could download the installation file to the laptop and then install the program on the laptop and thus, you wouldn't need Online TurboTax at all.   I'm sorry if I confused things.

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My original response:

No one has yet seen the 2025 online program yet, but assuming the transfer method is the same as 2024, here's how one would probably upload a *.tax2024 data file into Online TurboTax to transfer data into a 2025 return.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/uninstall-products/switch-turbotax-cd-do...

NOTE:  That process requires one to clear an online return when transferring the prior-year data.  You can only transfer into a new blank return.   So do the transfer early on in your preparation.   Don't wait until you've already entered a bunch of data, or that would be cleared during the process.

[mesquitebean]

@user17537218637    Here's some additional info that may help you:

Also be aware that the online version is quite a bit different from the desktop version.  In Online TurboTax you can only prepare 1 Federal return per account and up to 5 state returns (different states).   There is a preparation fee for Federal and a preparation fee for each state.  There is no separate efiling fee; it's included.

If you need multiple Federal returns, you'd need a separate account (and separate fees) for each one.

In Online TurboTax there is no Forms Mode that the desktop version has.  You can preview the basic forms free during preparation (Form 1040 and Schedules 1-3), but to see additional forms and schedules requires one to pay in advance to have viewing/printing privileges.

[VolvoGirl]

WAIT A MINUTE.    Will your laptop have Windows 11?    You can still use the installed desktop program without a disc drive.  The Online version refers to doing your return by logging into a browser and is not the same as the Desktop installed version.  It's just called the "Desktop program" as opposed to the Online browser version.  You can still use the Desktop program on a Win 11 laptop without a disc drive.    In fact for 2024 they didn't sell the CDs and you had to install it by downloading the program (although you could buy a CD for $10 after buying the License Code).    The Download is not the same as using the Online version. 

To move your 2024 return to the laptop.  You only need the tax return data file ending in .tax2024 to transfer into 2025. You can't transfer the programs. They have to be installed from the CD or Download. You don't need to install older programs unless you need to amend or you didn't save the pdf file. 

For Windows…..What I would do on the old computer, is copy the whole Turbo Tax folder that is under your Documents. That should be where the .tax files and pdf files are stored. Also if you haven't done it, I would open each year in the program and save it as a pdf file, go to FILE - SAVE TO PDF so you don't need the program installed to view your return. Copy that folder to a flash drive.  Then on the new computer copy the folder (or files) from the flash drive to your Documents folder.

[VolvoGirl]

Found one of my notes I like better to explain it.  So incase you are saying "use the online version for 2025" because you don't have a disc drive....... 

Do not confuse downloading the Desktop program with the Online version, just because you go online to download it.   After you download and install it, it is still the Desktop program and only done locally on your own computer.