topic Re: Cannot link software to online account (same username for both) in After you file

Cannot link software to online account (same username for both)

schmooth — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:33:04 GMT

How can I link the two computer programs? I filed using TurboTax software and when I go online it made me upload a PDF of taxes (for 2020...weird) and is not showing that I used TurboTax for tax years in the past. How can I bring it over?

Re: Cannot link software to online account (same username for both)

VolvoGirl — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 19:53:24 GMT

Online and Desktop are different and don't sync. But you can transfer from last year Desktop into the Online version. You need to have the .tax2020 file on your computer. You don't use the pdf.

If you used the Desktop program last year here’s How to transfer into the Online version. You need to have the prior year .tax2020 file on your computer. Expand the link if you used the CD/download last year........

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-turbotax-online/00/25953

Do you have the .tax2020 file? If you can't find it, Here's an idea. Do you still have 2020 installed? Try opening 2020 program and see if you can get your 2020 return to show up in it. Go to FILE - OPEN. Then save it again with a name and place you can find. Go to File - Save As.

If you used the Desktop program before you may not like the online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. You can only do 1 return. Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2020 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done. In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something. You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

Re: Cannot link software to online account (same username for both)

DoninGA — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 19:55:34 GMT

The TurboTax online editions and TurboTax desktop editions are separate programs.

You cannot transfer a 2021 tax data file from the desktop edition to the 2021 online editions. Only the prior year tax data, 2020, can be transferred to the 2021 online edition. You can download the 2021 tax data file from the online edition to a computer to be opened by the 2021 TurboTax desktop software.

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created. TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

Re: Cannot link software to online account (same username for both)

schmooth — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 20:03:23 GMT

Can you do the same for a prior year?

Re: Cannot link software to online account (same username for both)

VolvoGirl — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 20:07:49 GMT

Do what? Online is only for the current year. If you have prior online returns you can download the .tax2019 etc. files and open them in the Desktop program for the same year like if you need to amend.

To go from Desktop to Online you can only transfer the prior year Desktop return into the current year online version.