2023 Desktop version will not transfer 2022 tax return completed in the 2022 Desktop version

[AJ516]

I am unable to import my 2022 tax return information into the 2023 TurboTax. I have used the desktop downloads, the 2022 version is still available to open, however, there are "No Files Found" or none available to upload in the ".tax22" format from my computer. I have always hit save upon exit, and even have a completed pdf file. What happened to the previous version??

[Critter-3 · Accepted solution]

You don't import it ... it is transferred. 

How to Transfer into the Windows Desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-fo...

How to Transfer into the Mac Desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-the-t...

[AJ516]

Thankyou for the information. I have updated the verbiage in my question.  Unfortunately, the desktop 2023 version will not allow me to transfer my 2022 pdf, and I do not have a "tax.22" file. I'm getting an error message that the file is not the correct format. 

[JamesTee]

This was not helpful at all.  The original poster, and I, had already done the steps you linked to.  The problem is that it's just not working.

The "Searching for tax files" spinner never stops and never finds anything.  So we used the browse function, found the tax PDF file and "transferred" it.  We got a report saying it was successful; however, it was anything but and went on to ask us to enter all that information it was supposed to have "transferred" (not imported) over. 

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

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@JamesTee wrote:

The "Searching for tax files" spinner never stops and never finds anything.  So we used the browse function, found the tax PDF file and "transferred" it.  We got a report saying it was successful; however, it was anything but and went on to ask us to enter all that information it was supposed to have "transferred" (not imported) over. 

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 Transferring from a PDF into TurboTax may only provide basic information from 2022.  Is your PDF-transfer only showing basic things like names, address, dependents, bank account info, etc.?  In order to transfer-in the most info and data from 2022, it's best to use the *.tax2022 data file.  

How did you prepare your 2022 return last year--desktop software or online? 

If you used Online TurboTax, we can tell you how to download the *.tax2022 data file from your online account.

If you used Windows desktop software, the default folder for TurboTax *.taxYYYY files is the Documents\TurboTax folder, and that's where the TurboTax program usually looks first, then it tries to search the rest of your computer.  You could have stored it somewhere else.  So using your computer's system search feature (not TurboTax), run a search of your entire system for any file ending in .tax2022 and also search any external drive you might have archived it to and make note of it's location.   Or do you think your *.tax2022 data file was deleted/destroyed?

If you find the *.tax2022 data file, you'll have to start a brand new return to transfer it into a 2023 return.   You can't transfer into an already-started return.

[annmarier]

This did not work for me.

I just installed the 2023 Turbotax desktop version.  It does not automatically transfer the data from the 

2022 Desktop version from the 2022 Rubin A. Form 1040 Individual Tax Return.tax2022 file, which is stored in Documents/TurboTax

[mesquitebean]

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@ annmarier wrote:

This did not work for me.

I just installed the 2023 Turbotax desktop version.  It does not automatically transfer the data from the 

2022 Desktop version from the 2022 Rubin A. Form 1040 Individual Tax Return.tax2022 file, which is stored in Documents/TurboTax.  

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First, be sure you are using the 2023 desktop version you installed and haven't ended up preparing your return by mistake in Online TurboTax.  (Yes, it happens).  In the desktop version, the program tabs are horizontally oriented across the top of the screen.   In the Online version, the program tabs are in a black vertically-oriented left-column menu

In the desktop product it's not completely automatic; you have to take a step or two.  In the Windows version, if/when it finds the *.tax2022 data file, you'll have to indicate you want to transfer.  Or if it finds more than one, you have to choose which one to transfer.   The steps may differ on a Mac computer (see 2nd FAQ at the bottom of this posting).  You didn't say what type of computer you are using and where the process fails.   Here's how it normally works for the Windows version:

I don't know if you are using the Windows or Mac version.  I don't use a Mac, so I'll describe what happens with the Windows version.   When TurboTax is launched, and one chooses to begin a new return, TurboTax will churn a bit as it searches your computer for a  *.tax2022 data file.   It's easiest for the program to find it if it's in the Documents\TurboTax folder (the default folder).  If it finds it, the program will ask you if you want to transfer it in.  If it doesn't find it, one can use the Browse button to bring up a small File Explorer window and one can point TurboTax to the location of the *.tax2022 data file.

How to transfer 2022 data file into 2023 Windows desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-fo...

How to transfer 2022 data file into 2023 Mac desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-the-t...

[annmarier]

Thank you. This worked for me.  I had pressed Continue instead of start a new return so never so the option to transfer.

Ann Marie

[mesquitebean]

You're welcome.  I'm glad it worked.  Good luck.