topic Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

MelO4 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:32:01 GMT

I saved my tax return under a few different names in TT. Now I need to erase all of them except the one I filed.

I read go to: My Returns/View All Tax Returns/ and then put the unneeded ones in the trash can.

I don't see that anywhere.

I went into my file manager and I don't see where Turbo Tax put them either.

I'm using the TT desk top version 2021.

Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

VolvoGirl — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 21:36:08 GMT

They should be in your Documents in a Turbo Tax folder. Or search your computer for all files ending in .tax2021. There should also be temp files that start with a Tilde sign ~ . That's in case your file gets corrupted or you lose it.

You can delete a tax return from within the TurboTax Windows Desktop Program on the very first screen after starting the program or go to File-Open. Click on the large square icon representing the file you wish to delete (avoid clicking the blue "Continue" button). Then just hit your delete key and answer the prompt.

OR Start the program and on the first page click the blue Find A Tax File link at the bottom of the box. Then in the list that pops up you can right click on the file and choose delete.

Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

Anonymous_ — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 21:36:10 GMT

You can do a search for the tax files (".tax2021").

Otherwise, the files should reside in C:/Users/[yourusername]/Documents/TurboTax

Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

Critter-3 — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 21:37:38 GMT

They should be saved in your documents folder by default so you can delete TT files just like any other files you have on your computer. FIRST save the real return to a removable storage medium before you delete it by mistake.

Do a file search for all files ending in .taxXXXX (where the XXXX is the year of the return).

This is my mini version of a tutorial that should be in the downloaded program:

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

>>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy:
1. Open your return in TurboTax.
2. From the File menu, choose Save As.
3. Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name).
4. Click Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

>> use the WHAT IF tool:
- Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view)
- Click on the Open Form Icon
- In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form
- You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form
- To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

Once you have filed successfully … you can shut off the auto updater function and then save the return & .taxfile.

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
Browse to where you want to save your backup.
- Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
Click Save and then close TurboTax.
Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

*** Other clues to the downloaded program ***

In the forms mode ... double click or right click on a box on a form to data source it ... sadly it doesn't work on all boxes.

What's the meaning of all the different colors in Forms Mode?

When you look at an onscreen tax form using Forms Mode, you might wonder why one figure is blue and the one next to it is red or black.

These colors indicate the source of that data.

Color	Meaning
Blue	You entered this data, either in the interview or Forms Mode.
Black	The program entered this data or calculated this amount.
Red	This data has either been overridden or is invalid (for example, a ZIP code that doesn't exist).
Red italics	You marked this amount as estimated.
Black italics	The program calculated this amount from an amount you marked as estimated.
Purple	This information has supporting details.
Aquamarine	This data was transferred over from last year.
Green	This data was imported from Quicken or QuickBooks.
Yellow fields (Windows)	Yellow fields allow user input. Anything you enter here shows up in blue.

Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

MelO4 — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 22:21:39 GMT

The clicking on the file and then pressing the DEL key worked! That's good to know!

The clicking "Find a Tax File" had nothing listed. Just blank. They *should* be there but they just aren't.

Searching in File Manager *.tax2021 worked too but strange how they don't show in "Find a Tax File". It's just not looking in the correct directory.

VolvoGirl, you rock! Thanks so much!

Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

MelO4 — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 22:23:29 GMT

Thanks for posting all the links, Critter-3. Some very interesting stuff in there!

Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

MelO4 — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 22:25:06 GMT

Thanks tagteam also. Searching by *.tax2021 works well!

Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

VolvoGirl — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 22:26:56 GMT

Glad you got it. By the way, the first instructions you found were probably for the Online version.

Re: How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns ?

rjs — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 04:01:39 GMT

@MelO4 wrote:

The clicking "Find a Tax File" had nothing listed. Just blank. They *should* be there but they just aren't.

Searching in File Manager *.tax2021 worked too but strange how they don't show in "Find a Tax File". It's just not looking in the correct directory.

"Find a Tax File" only looks at one directory at a time. It doesn't search your whole hard drive. If your files are not in the directory that it starts in, you have to navigate to the directory that your files are in.

Re: Delete Multiple Tax Returns after saving to PDF & clear desktop icons?

Ron C2 — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:51:30 GMT

How do I Delete Multiple Tax Returns after saving to PDF & clear desktop icons? Can I clear the icon & retain a 'live' previous year's data on the computer?

Re: Delete Multiple Tax Returns after saving to PDF & clear desktop icons?

MarilynG1 — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:30:05 GMT

If you used TurboTax Desktop to prepare your return, your tax data file *.tax2023 is saved on your computer. By default, TurboTax saves the tax data files in the My Documents folder of TurboTax.

However, you can create a TurboTax folder and save your PDF's, tax data files and program files all in one place to tidy up your desktop.

Here's more info on TurboTax Data Files.

@Ron C2