Yes, you can transfer your data from the prior year .tax2017 desktop file into your 2018 online return. You can follow the instructions below to complete this process. You will need to have your prior year .tax2017 file on your computer - not just the pdf file.
Note: If you already started your 2018 return in TurboTax Online, transferring will clear any info you have already entered. Please keep in mind, a .tax file from a previous year will not transfer if the file is password protected.
Here's how to transfer:
You must be using TurboTax Online on your computer to do this transfer (it won’t work from a mobile device/mobile web, or in the mobile app)
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Sign in to TurboTax Online and start a new return, or continue a return you already started.
(To continue a return, sign in and then click the orange Take me to my return button.)
- Make sure you've gone past the blue "simple and accurate" screen before continuing to the next step.
- Select the Tax Tools drop-down menu on the left-hand side of your screen and select Tools.
- In the pop-up window, select Transfer last year's TurboTax return from your computer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish transferring your file.
Note: You will only be transferring the data from 2017 to jumpstart your 2018 return - your 2017 tax file will not be stored online. After this year, you can continue to use the online account and it will transfer every year. However, you will want to retain the .tax files (and pdfs) on your computer for future reference as those returns will not be stored online. If you ever need to access those returns directly, you will need those .tax files and pdfs - I recommend you make backup copies of them as well.
Also, note that some of the functionality that you may be used to using the desktop program is not available in the online program. Most importantly there is no Forms Mode where you can see all the forms and worksheets behind your tax return in real-time.
