topic Access to 2021 Filed Return, had to reinstall Turbotax on new laptop in After you file

Access to 2021 Filed Return, had to reinstall Turbotax on new laptop

vpappu1964 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:45:06 GMT

I bought TurboTax online and installed on my laptop. I completed my 2021 TaxReturn and submitted .

I did not save my return , also i dont have access to that laptop. I installed Turbo Tax on new laptop (2021). How

do I get access to the 2021 Filed Return. I need the file to upload it in Turbo Tax. Is it possible?

Re: Access to 2021 Filed Return, had to reinstall Turbotax on new laptop

VolvoGirl — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:38:41 GMT

Sorry if you used the Desktop program you need to have the file ending in .tax2021 to transfer into 2022 or to open in the 2021 program. If you don't have that file or a backup there is nothing you can do and will have to start 2022 as new.

Re: Access to 2021 Filed Return, had to reinstall Turbotax on new laptop

vpappu1964 — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:43:02 GMT

Thanks for the quick response. This is not for 2022. I downloaded 2021 and reinstalled 2021 Turbotax on new laptop. I assume I will not have access to that file to upload, right.

Re: Access to 2021 Filed Return, had to reinstall Turbotax on new laptop

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:58:24 GMT

Re-installing the software program does not restore your tax file; it only installs the software.

If you used desktop software downloaded/installed from a CD to your own computer, then the tax files are stored locally on your own hard drive or any backup device you used like a flash drive. They are not stored online. If you cannot recover them due to a hard drive failure, etc. you can get a free transcript from the IRS or for a fee of $43, an actual copy of your tax return.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf