Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 1
posted Mar 29, 2022 2:17:56 PM

2021 tax completed on now dead computer. how do I recover on my new computer?

I need to talk to a live person.

0 4 524
1 Best answer
Level 15
Mar 29, 2022 2:23:59 PM

I assume you used the Desktop program?  Sorry if you didn't make a backup of the .tax2021 file it is gone. It is only on that computer.  Is the hard drive crashed?   Maybe you can take it out and put it in an external enclosure to access from another computer.  

You need to install the program on the new computer.  Do you have the CD or download?  

This probably won't help if you don't have the tax file.

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to File-New Tax Return).

 

Then go to FILE -Open and find your return.

 

 See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-computer/00/26128

 

4 Replies
Level 15
Mar 29, 2022 2:23:59 PM

I assume you used the Desktop program?  Sorry if you didn't make a backup of the .tax2021 file it is gone. It is only on that computer.  Is the hard drive crashed?   Maybe you can take it out and put it in an external enclosure to access from another computer.  

You need to install the program on the new computer.  Do you have the CD or download?  

This probably won't help if you don't have the tax file.

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to File-New Tax Return).

 

Then go to FILE -Open and find your return.

 

 See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-computer/00/26128

 

Intuit Alumni
Mar 29, 2022 2:29:32 PM

For further assistance with this matter, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here.  This ensures you will get to the correct department as quickly as possible.  

Level 1
Mar 29, 2022 3:43:15 PM

When I try to download my 2021 and it asks for the license code and I put in the same one used on the dead computer, the response is that code has been used. Do I need to buy a new turbotax and start all over with my inputs?

Level 15
Mar 29, 2022 3:55:36 PM

You are supposed to be able to install it on 5 computers.  Are you trying to install from the CD or download?  If you downloaded it originally you can download it again the same way?  I downloaded to both my Windows computer.  Did you buy it from Turbo Tax or somewhere else?

 

You should call in and try to get a new code.  They should help but some reps might not.  Just be nice and explain your situation.


How to contact Turbo Tax
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-contact-turbotax/00/26991

What is the Turbo Tax phone number
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632