All my turbo tax information is missing. Where did it all go?

[xmasbaby0]

@lemmoth

Many people have multiple TT accounts and forget how to access them.  Log out of the account you are in now.

Account recovery

https://myturbotax.intuit.com/account-recovery/

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901535-forgot-your-turbotax-online-user-id-or-password

Or did you use the desktop version of TurboTax?  If so, the files 

You will be able to access the return you started by using the exact same account and user ID that you used when you started it.   But you can no longer use online software for any further changes.

Online tax preparation and e-filing for 2020 returns is now permanently closed.  Now it is too late to use online software or to e-file. If you have any changes/corrections at all to make to your 2020 return, you now have to complete it using desktop software, which you must download to a full PC or Mac  (not to a mobile device).Then you need to print, sign and mail it.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2559403-how-do-i-finish-a-prior-year-return-that-i-started-in-turb...

If you already paid for your online software you can ask customer support for a download of the desktop software.

They are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday-Friday.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number

If you are getting a refund, there is no penalty for filing late.  If you owe tax due, then file and pay the amount due as shown on the Form 1040, but expect a bill later from the IRS for the penalty and interest you will owe.  Only the IRS will calculate this—TurboTax will not calculate it.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

[Bretonvia]

@mchaska Some people have discovered their files were under their administrator username. They didn't remember that they had to log in with administrator privileges at some point when installing the desktop version, so they started their returns and saved them while using their admin user account. (In this case, people were returning and logging into their usual, non-admin user account, not realizing what happened and not finding their files under their primary "user".)

[mylittleflower124]

My 2020 tax info was not downloaded to my 2021 Turbo Tax

[mylittleflower124]

My 2020 tax info was not downloaded to my 2021 Turbo tax.

[SForrestLO]

Can you clarify what was not downloaded?

See if this Turbo Tax FAQ will provide an answer.

Why can't I print out my forms?

[mesquitebean]

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@mylittleflower124 wrote:

My 2020 tax info was not downloaded to my 2021 Turbo tax.

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Are you wanting to say that your 2020 data from last year was not transferred into your 2021 return when you started your 2021 return this year?    If so, more info is needed:

• What product did you use last year to prepare the 2020 return--Online TurboTax or 2020 desktop software (CD/download?)
• What product are you using this year to prepare your 2021 return--Online or desktop?

If you used 2020 Online TurboTax last year and also 2021 Online TurboTax this year, the data from 2020 should have transferred into your 2021 Online return automatically IF you are in the same account.   If it didn't, and if you don't see evidence of the 2020 return in that account's section "Your Tax Returns & Documents", then that implies you have more than one online account, and we can help you troubleshoot to find the right one.

If you used 2020 desktop software last year, then you need to have the *.tax2020 data file to transfer it either into a new 2021 desktop return, if applicable, or using a special maneuver to transfer it from your computer into a new 2021 Online return.

We can comment further once we understand your situation for 2020 and 2021.

[mylittleflower124]

Yesterday I started a new tax return.  I was able to download my 2020 tax info.  I saved the new tax return, saved it, and replaced the prior return, where I couldn't download  the 2020 info.  Both 2020 and 2021 Turbo Tax were loaded to my computer using the CD.  Thank you for your help.

[mesquitebean]

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@mylittleflower124 wrote:

Yesterday I started a new tax return.  I was able to download my 2020 tax info.  I saved the new tax return, saved it, and replaced the prior return, where I couldn't download  the 2020 info.  Both 2020 and 2021 Turbo Tax were loaded to my computer using the CD.  Thank you for your help.

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You're welcome.   So I assume that means everything is OK now.   Good luck.

[MrsC82]

I have turbo tax files and software dating back to at least 2011.  I recently bought a new computer with Windows 11.  My IT man had stored all info on an external hard drive, but all the tax files disappeared.  What is wrong?  Is there any way to get the software back from all those years or at least the tax files that were originally in the Tax File PDF?

[DoninGA]

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@MrsC82 wrote:

I have turbo tax files and software dating back to at least 2011.  I recently bought a new computer with Windows 11.  My IT man had stored all info on an external hard drive, but all the tax files disappeared.  What is wrong?  Is there any way to get the software back from all those years or at least the tax files that were originally in the Tax File PDF?

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The TurboTax tax data files and all saved PDF's were stored, by default, in the TurboTax folder in the Documents directory.  Unless the files were purposely moved or saved by the user in another directory, hard drive other than C;, remote drive, network drive or a Cloud drive.

If the Documents directory was saved from the old computer then the TurboTax folder would also have been saved.

[mesquitebean]

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@ MrsC82 wrote:

 I recently bought a new computer with Windows 11.  My IT man had stored all info on an external hard drive, but all the tax files disappeared.  What is wrong? Is there any way to get the software back from all those years or at least the tax files that were originally in the Tax File PDF?

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Have you done a search of all files on the external drive looking for any tax files ending in the *.taxYYYY file extension, where YYYY=specific year, such as 2020, etc.?    I would also search on *.tax file extension without naming the year, and possibly try a search on *.tax* extension.    You can also search the external drive for any files ending in *.PDF file extension.

[wagonerkl]

I have a similar issue...I use the desktop version.  Every year when I install the latest CD, and run TT, it imports my data from the year before.  But my 2021 TT program could find no 2020 .TAX file.  The .PDF file is saved but there is no .tax2020.  Is there a way to restore that file?  Where did it go?

[VolvoGirl]

Are you on Windows?   You need the file ending in .tax2020 to transfer into this year.  It should be in Documents in a Turbo Tax subfolder.  Or Search your computer for all files ending in .tax or .tax2020.  And check the Recycle Bin.  The PDF file should be saved there too.  If you have Windows 10 check the OneDrive.  Or to Drop Box.  Check your backups.  Could it be under a different user on your computer?   

If you don't have the main .tax file you might have one that starts with a Tilde sign ~ like  "~your name.tax2020"..  That file is if your computer crashes or your real file gets lost or deleted or corrupt so you can restore it.

Find your Tax file in Windows

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/find-your-tax-data-file-tax-file-in-windows/00/...

Here's an idea.  Do you still have 2020 installed?  Try opening 2020 program and see if you can get your 2020 return to show up in it.  Go to FILE - OPEN.  Then save it again with a name and place you can find.  Go to File - Save As.

[Babin1234]

I submitted my return via turbo tax April 15 yet it was not accepted and thereafter disappeared 

[DoninGA]

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@Babin1234 wrote:

I submitted my return via turbo tax April 15 yet it was not accepted and thereafter disappeared 

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To access your current or prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the User ID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

Scroll down to the section Your tax returns & documents.  Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created.  TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

If your e-filed tax return was not accepted by the IRS then you will have to print and mail the 2021 tax return.  E-filing closed for all 2021 tax returns after October 22, 2022.

Print, sign, date and mail the tax return to the IRS.  Include with the mailed return any forms W-2 and 1099 which have taxes withheld.  Go to this IRS website for mailing addresses - https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment

There are no penalties for filing a tax return after the due date if filing for a tax refund or there are no taxes owed.