Can i get a .tax file without e-filing ?

[mesquitebean]

Yes.   But how to do so depends on what all you have done and what you are wanting to do.  I'll assume you are asking about a 2020 return.

Are you planning to print and mail an online return instead of efiling, but want the *.tax2020 data file for your records?

Or are you planning to finish an online return by moving the *.tax2020 data file to the desktop software (CD/download)?

Are you still able to open your return interview to continue your return, or does TurboTax think you were finished and closed your interview?   If so, we can tell you how to open it to get the *.tax2020 data file.

[naresh-yerneni]

Yeh i'm planning to import it to desktop due to use case not being served in the online product for the current year

[Critter-3]

You can move your Online file to the Desktop program and continue without paying for Online or needing to reenter your info. In the Downloaded version you can "cheap out" and use the Deluxe ( or Basic if you don't need a state return)...

To  continue in the desktop version see this…….
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901476-how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-the-turbotax-softw...

[naresh-yerneni]

This option helped save it as a .tax file. Thanks all for the help

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Here's some more info on switching to Desktop.  

First download the .tax file from the Online version,  

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/saving/help/how-do-i-save-my-turbotax-online-return-as-a-tax-data-...

Then see, How to Switch to Desktop,

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-th...

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had.  So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - New)

Then you just OPEN the .tax2020 file, go up to File-Open.  You don't import or transfer it.

Do you need to buy the personal Desktop CD/Download program?

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

[naresh-yerneni]

Thx for the clarification. The import did not work and was wondering why.. i opened it as a new file and work fine.

[mesquitebean]

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@ naresh-yerneni wrote:

Thx for the clarification. The import did not work and was wondering why.. i opened it as a new file and work fine.

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You don't "import" a *.tax2020 file into 2020 desktop software.  You merely OPEN the *.tax2020 data file to continue working on it.   The transfer function is only for transferring 2019 data into a 2020 return, i.e., transferring a *.tax2019 data file into a new 2020 desktop return.

As VolvoGirl mentioned in her answer above, if your *.tax2020 data file you downloaded from Online TurboTax has a state return in it, then you'll need to download the state program into your desktop software before opening the *.tax2020 data file, or you'll get an error message.