turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

Is the California Tax return file a PDF ?

 
x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

4 Replies
SharonD007
Employee Tax Expert

Is the California Tax return file a PDF ?

It depends.  If you saved a copy of your CA tax return as a PDF then it'll be in that format. If you saved you tax data file (.taxfile), your CA tax return will be in the same file as your federal tax return.

 

If you saved your data file, refer to the TurboTax Help article How do I find last year's tax data file (.tax file) on my computer? for more information.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Is the California Tax return file a PDF ?

Hi SharonD007, I saved my federal tax return as a PDF but the state one is not in PDF form. My laptop can not open the file because its not a PDf and im unsure what to do

MonikaK1
Expert Alumni

Is the California Tax return file a PDF ?

As @SharonD007 mentioned, If you saved your data file, refer to the TurboTax Help article How do I find last year's tax data file (.tax file) on my computer? for more information.

 

Here are the instructions to find your data file (.tax file) for Windows users:

 

  1. Select the Start menu and select search or use Cortana search if you're using Windows 10.
  2. Search for *.tax2022 (or whichever year you are searching for, *.tax2021,*.tax2020, etc.).
    • Don't double-click the tax file in the search results to open it, as this can cause errors.
  3. In the left pane of the search results, select the > symbol next to the .tax file you're searching for. This will bring up information about this file in the right pane.
  4. In the right pane, select Open file location. By default, TurboTax saves tax files in the My Documents TurboTax folder.
  5. After locating the tax file in its folder, open your tax return using the same version of TurboTax for that year.
    • For example, open your 2022 return in the TurboTax 2022 program and your 2021 return in TurboTax 2021 .

Your tax data file (.tax file) is not the same thing as a PDF copy of your return.

A .tax file can only be opened in the TurboTax Desktop software. Because it's stored locally on your computer, we can't retrieve tax data files prepared in the TurboTax Desktop software. E-filing doesn't keep a copy of your return on our servers.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Is the California Tax return file a PDF ?

Are you sure that Calif is not in the pdf file?  It maybe in the middle with another copy of the federal after it.  California wants a copy of the federal.  

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question