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New Member
posted Mar 2, 2025 3:00:41 PM

Accessing file on new computer

I prepare two 2024 returns in my desktop version of Home and Business. I just setup a new desktop and downloaded Home and Business version but cannot access the 2024 returns previously prepared. Need help!

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3 Replies
Level 15
Mar 2, 2025 3:06:17 PM

You need to copy the 2024 tax data filed, which have a file extension of .tax2024, from the old computer to the new computer.

 

Or you can just copy the TurboTax folder that is in the Documents directory to the new computer.

Expert Alumni
Mar 2, 2025 3:14:45 PM

Here's how to securely move it to your new computer while minimizing the chances of data corruption:

  1. Make sure your new computer has TurboTax installed on it.
  2. Connect a thumb drive or other portable device to your old computer. You can also use a cloud storage site like Apple's iCloud or Microsoft One Drive.
  3. Copy or move your tax data file to the device. (We recommend copying instead of dragging and dropping.)  You can do this by opening your return on the old computer and then "Save A..." to the thumb/USB drive, other device, or cloud storage site.  
  4. After copying, disconnect or eject the portable device and connect it to your new computer.
  5. Browse to the portable device, select your tax return file, drag it to your desktop (or other easy-to-find location), then release the mouse key and copy (instead of moving) the file.
  6. After copying, open TurboTax, browse to where you copied your tax file and open it to make sure it didn't get corrupted.
    • If your file somehow got corrupted, delete it from your device and your new computer and repeat these steps from the beginning.

New Member
Mar 2, 2025 3:31:30 PM

Thank you for your response. My 2024 tax files were already saved to cloud and should be accessible. However, I was getting an error message when I tried to open them. Kept trying and finally I was successful.