topic Re: file too big error for pdf import in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

file too big error for pdf import

dibbeena1 — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:15:41 GMT

I'm trying to upload my 2023 pdf tax file into turbotax home and business 2024 and I get an error message saying file is too big. I don't have the 2023*tax* file, I only have the pdf. I also don't have to last years tax software to go back and save the taxes as 2023*tax* file.

I did try saving the pdf file without the *extra* pages but I still got the same error.

Please help, it would be very painful for me to re-enter all the information manually. Appreciate your help. thankyou.

Re: file too big error for pdf import

mesquitebean — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:35:01 GMT

@ dibbeena1 wrote:
I'm trying to upload my 2023 pdf tax file into turbotax home and business 2024 and I get an error message saying file is too big. I don't have the 2023*tax* file, I only have the pdf. I also don't have to last years tax software to go back and save the taxes as 2023*tax* file.
I did try saving the pdf file without the *extra* pages but I still got the same error.

Please help, it would be very painful for me to re-enter all the information manually. Appreciate your help. thankyou.

How did you prepare the 2023 return? If you don't have the 2023 TurboTax software, was your 2023 return prepared in Online TurboTax? i.e., what is the source of the 2023 PDF? We may be able to tell you how to get your *.tax2023 data file once we understand more about your situation and how the 2023 return was prepared.

Re: file too big error for pdf import

dibbeena1 — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:36:01 GMT

I prepared my 2023 with Turbotax installed on my desktop (home and business). Unfortunately, I don't have access to that laptop anymore. When I filed online, it saved my taxes to a pdf file which is what I'm using.

Re: file too big error for pdf import

VolvoGirl — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 01:11:43 GMT

How come you have the pdf file and not the .tax2023 file? Did you only make a backup of the pdf file? Or how did you get the pdf file? If you scanned your return to make the pdf that won't work. You need the actual pdf file made by the program. Turbo Tax also saves the .tax2023 file. If you don't have the main .tax file you might have one that starts with a Tilde sign ~ like "~your name.tax2023". That file is if your computer crashes or your real file gets lost or deleted or corrupt so you can restore it.

Also the pdf file won't help you very much even if it transfers from it. The pdf only transfers your name, address, ssn and AGI, not anything else like depreciation. You might as well start a new 2024 file and enter everything by hand if you don't have the .tax2023 file.

Re: file too big error for pdf import

VolvoGirl — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 01:14:42 GMT

Oh are your or your spouse over 65? Did you file a 1040SR return instead of the plain 1040? You can't transfer a 1040SR pdf.

How to Transfer from a pdf into the Windows Desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/can-i-transfer-last-year-s-pdf-into-the-turbotax-for-windows-cd-download-software/00/27259

You can Transfer a PDF into Windows Desktop if your 2023 PDF is a 1040 return generated through TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxACT software (Form 1040-SR is not supported for PDF transfer).

Be aware that in some cases TurboTax won't be able to read the PDF, for example if it's password-protected or is a scanned copy of a PDF instead of an actual PDF file.

Re: file too big error for pdf import

Mike9241 — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 05:21:07 GMT

since you prepared your 2023 on desktop, the only xxxx.tax2023 file was on your laptop. with a PDF very little info is imported. Turbotax does not have a copy of any tax file prepared with desktop software. Also, the tax file cannot be transferred to online.