Anyway to transfer data from prior year return after you start and are part way through new return?

[heyinseattle]

I'm filing taxes from a prior year (tax year 2020) using desktop TT 2020 and have the following issue:

I have one turbotax 'Tax Return' file I started new in calendar 2021, did not have the prior tax year (2019) available at the time so couldn't transfer details from the prior year into the return. I got much of the way through that return though including download many many stock and other security transactions  from two different brokerages. 

I now have the 2019 Tax Return file, and would like to transfer that into the above 2020 Tax Return file. I can't find a way to do that after you start. Am I missing something?

I did go about starting a 2nd 2020 Tax Return and transferred my 2019 return into that new return. The problem is that when I go to download my securities transactions from the brokerages, they are no longer available for download. It will be really painful to reenter all these transactions into Turbo Tax. If the answer to my 1st question is 'no, Turbo Tax doesn't provide a way to do that', then is there a way to export my securities transactions from the 2nd file and import it into the first file above?

thanks!

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry no.  As you found you have to start over in a new return to transfer.  And no you can't export the securities or anything from one return to another.  Why do you need 2019 transferred in?   You should be able to manually enter any carryovers.  

[heyinseattle]

Thanks for answering. Boo to Intuit that you can't do it though - I've used TT desktop for over a decade now and it feels like Intuit doesn't put much effort into improving much year over year, I still find a lot it leaves a lot to be desired especially in explaining / simplifying tax guidance in a lot of areas that don't even change year to year. 

I want 2019 transferred in because I'm concerned I'll make a mistake in forgetting to answer a question or incorrectly answering a question that ends up not getting a carryover amount correct or otherwise screws up the tax calculation. My return has W-2 income plus 2 LLCs, capital depreciation, capital loss carryovers, and I'm not sure what are all the other places my prior year return data may influence the current year's values that I should check

[Mike9241]

simplest reason for not allowing import after you start is that could change some of your entries. 

since you can not e-file 2020 print out schedules D and the 8949s from what you've done. then in the new return just enter summary totals for each type - 6 lines maximum needed. then substitute the printouts for those dummy pages. thus no need to re-enter all that work and you can use this method for most any other form or schedule that is complete 

[Eric_Judy]

I need to transfer data from my TurboTax 2021 return to my TurboTax 2023 return, and Intuit says no go.  This is unacceptable!  Intuit needs to do better.  I pay top dollar for this program, and copying personal and account data is essential.  Without this, why buy this software?  I have a calcluator that works just fine.

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry it's impossible to transfer from an older year.  Only from the immediate prior year.  I doubt any tax place can do that.  There are too many tax changes.  And the amounts won't be right.  Like for depreciation and any carryovers.  If you really need to transfer from 2021 there is a way.  Do you have the .tax2021 data file?

You would have to use the 2022 Desktop program and start a new 2022 return and transfer 2021 into that.  That will give you a 2022 tax return you can then transfer into 2023 Online or Desktop program.  

[Eric_Judy]

Thanks for the advice.  I do not have TurboTax 2022 desktop software.  My only PC last year was a Windows 8.1 OS machine, and Intuit decided to not support it.  

The only value to copying prior years data is to avoid typing a plethora of account numbers, addresses, tax IDs, etc...  And most of this data does not change very often (at least for me).  I have a lot of savings and investments accounts.  I will be a pain in the axx to retype all of this into the PC.  There is no point to trying to copy other stuff from last year, such as account values, depreciations, tax code changes, etc. as that stuff always changes.

I have used TurboTax for 10+ years for my 1040 filings, except for last year, and have been satisfied with everything except the purchase price.  It seems pretty high.

[VolvoGirl]

Well you can import your 1099 info.  Have you ever done that?  

How to Import 1099 forms

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-import-my-1099/00/26254