topic File won't open in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

File won't open

Riebap — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:42:33 GMT

Prepared the whole 1040 Tax return and was getting ready to efile. I realized that I need drivers license info so I got out of file to come back later. Now file error message unable to open tax file. Very uspet.

Re: File won't open

MichelleLO — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 19:43:11 GMT

Are you able to locate the saved tax data file on your PC?

You may want to consider creating a backup of your tax file as well. Please see the below TurboTax help article for more information.

How do I back up my tax file in the TurboTax CD/Download software?

Re: File won't open

Riebap — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 13:28:14 GMT

The file is on a USB and won't open.

Re: File won't open

DoninGA — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 13:35:47 GMT

@Riebap wrote:

The file is on a USB and won't open.

TurboTax looks for the tax data file on the C:\ drive.

Start the TurboTax program. Click on the File menu at the top left of the desktop program screen. Click on Open Tax Return. Browse to the location of the tax datafile on your USB drive.

Re: File won't open

Riebap — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 13:37:14 GMT

I have been using Turbo Tax since 2006. I know how to find and open a file.

Re: File won't open

DoninGA — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 13:41:27 GMT

@Riebap wrote:

I have been using Turbo Tax since 2006. I know how to find and open a file.

Does the file have a file extension of .tax2021? What message do you receive when trying to open the file?

Re: File won't open

Riebap — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:00:09 GMT

Error Opening File

Re: File won't open

DoninGA — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:08:33 GMT

@Riebap Contact TurboTax support for assistance with this problem

See this TurboTax support FAQ for contacting support - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

Re: File won't open

Riebap — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:12:05 GMT

I did that.

Re: File won't open

DoninGA — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:24:04 GMT

If the file is a tax data file for tax year 2021 and Not a PDF, then it is either corrupted or you will have to copy the file to the TurboTax folder in the Documents directory on your C:\ drive.

Also check to see if there is a backup data file in the TurboTax folder for 2021 which will have a tilde (~) at the beginning of the file name. If there is such a file use that to open the tax return.

If the 2021 file is corrupt then you will have to start a new tax return using the 2021 TurboTax program.

This all assumes you are using the TurboTax program for Windows.

Re: File won't open

Riebap — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:26:29 GMT

Yep, re-entered all the data.

Re: File won't open

CHL — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 15:29:07 GMT

I had also received the unable to open file error. I rebooted the computer and that solved it. Note: Being previously in software development, I suspected that the file may still be opened and stuck in a 'zombie' state by windows and TTax won't open two instances of the same file. My files are saved on Microsoft's OneDrive cloud service which attempts to sync the file with their cloud server. Sometimes, I put my computer to 'sleep mode' immediately after closing TTax. My suspicion is that by not giving TTax time to fully close out before the computer goes to sleep, that issues could occur. Rebooting cleared that up.

Re: File won't open

Doria4958 — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 21:30:10 GMT

I efiled already 2 income taxes, when I went back the next day to see the status it gave me an error and I wasn't able to open the files, I did re-start the computer, I turned it off. I uninstall the software and re-install it, and still doesn't let me to open them.

Re: File won't open

Doria4958 — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 22:15:22 GMT

Thanks. The back up worked

Re: File won't open

Bob C-532 — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 16:34:44 GMT

I had the same problem was forced to renter the data.
Turbo Tax this year seems to be a nightmare.

Re: File won't open

Riebap — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 17:48:33 GMT

I discovered the problem was the type of file I was trying to open. File type should have TurboTax in the file type name. I did not re-enter all the data.

Re: File won't open

Riebap — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 17:49:12 GMT

I had it saved in 2 places. It was the file type that gave me the issue.

Re: File won't open

Riebap — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 17:49:58 GMT

I know that, been using Turbo Tax for 17 years.