topic I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023 in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

KTom — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:43:52 GMT

How do I resume my tax filing after filing TAX Extension? I am using TurboTAX Premier 2022. Greatly appreciate your help. Can't seem to find the files I need to open to resume tax filing now.

Re: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

fanfare — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 11:32:59 GMT

having requested an extension has nothing to do with resuming work on your tax return.

@KTom

Re: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

Critter-3 — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 11:46:45 GMT

@KTom

Are you using the online or downloaded program ?

Re: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

KTom — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 12:50:39 GMT

thanks @Critter-3 . I am using a downloaded program. I have been a TurboTax regular for the last 5+ years. This year, I need to wait for the K-1 related to one of the Commodity trades I did in 2022.

I filed for an extension in April and now I want to resume my tax filing since now I have the required documents.

However, I can't seem to find the 2022 TurboTax format file where I had saved all my work and which I used to file my extension. Is anyone in a similar situation? Is there any other solution other than starting over? (which I have now).

Thanks for your help in advance.

Re: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

Critter-3 — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 12:56:04 GMT

When you open the program you should be able to search for the saved .tax2022 file on your computer so you can open and continue the return you started. Look everywhere including your trash can and any removable storage mediums like thumb drives. There are 2 places the file may show up...

Re: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

SteamTrain — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:14:17 GMT

@KTom

BUT....note that you are just completing your tax filing....you do NOT Amend to finish off the original

(not sure @Critter-3 planned to show that particular page)

Re: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

Critter-3 — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:16:05 GMT

Sorry ... don't amend ... just showing the 2 places in the downloaded program where you can access them in the screenshot.

Re: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

KTom — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:35:11 GMT

The file seems to have disappeared from my laptop, not in Recycle bin either (though I have much older files than April 2023) . Only PDF files related to this year extension filing are available in working folder I used for 2022 tax.

Re: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

Critter-3 — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:59:57 GMT

Well if you did not save the file as you went along or when you closed the return then the latest file was not saved ... this is your responsibility when using the online program. The program cannot see any files not on the hard drive and sometimes you must "point" the program to the files. See if you can find any temp files ... they have a tilde (~) in front of the file name.

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.

For Windows, up in the top menu, you can set the "Updater Preferences" to "Always Ask" or more commonly set to "I don't have an internet connection" (even if you do), and then you are not forced to update....and can manually force an update when you choose to do so. And then you can open the file(s) at any time with no forced upgrade.

But that's the Windows software.....not a MAC. For a MAC you cannot turn off the auto updater HOWEVER you can simply disconnect from the internet before opening the tax return.

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: I filed for extension in April, now I can't resume my tax filing in 2023

VolvoGirl — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 15:06:43 GMT

If you used the Windows Desktop program you need the file ending in .taxyyyy to open in it. The tax files (and PDF files) should be in your Documents then in a Turbo Tax subfolder. If you can't find them do a search for all files ending in .tax or .tax2021 or .tax2022, etc. And check the Recycle Bin. For Windows 10 check the One Drive. Did you make any backups? Like DropBox.

If you don't have the main .tax file you might have one that starts with a Tilde sign ~ like "~your name.tax2022". That file is if your computer crashes or your real file gets lost or deleted or corrupt so you can restore it.

The ~ is a tilde file. Those are temporary files that you normally don't see and normally are deleted. But now Turbo Tax is leaving them in the folder in case something happens like if your file gets corrupted or lost or your computer crashes. Then you can go back. If you can't transfer from the regular file you can transfer from the ~ file.

Find your Tax file in Windows
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/find-your-tax-data-file-tax-file-in-windows/00/25926

See this user, he found his files in the Administrator account
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/re-files-are-all-gone/01/2242561#M804987