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New Member
posted Jun 7, 2019 2:59:31 PM

Can I import a prior years files from TurboTax that were done on my desktop and have the info flow to this years return if I were to use the online software going forward

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1 Best answer
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:59:32 PM

Yes, you can import a prior year taxa data file from TurboTax Desktop into TurboTax Online.  You can only import one year to carryover the data.

You cannot upload all of the files to the TurboTax Online cloud.

You would want to do this before you start entering data for your return; although, you need to choose a version and continue into the tax preparation.

1. Click on My Account in the top center

2. Click on Tools

3. Click Transfer last years TurboTax return from your computer from the list at the bottom

4. Click Continue if prompted

5. Browse for the .tax2014 file

24 Replies
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:59:32 PM

Yes, you can import a prior year taxa data file from TurboTax Desktop into TurboTax Online.  You can only import one year to carryover the data.

You cannot upload all of the files to the TurboTax Online cloud.

You would want to do this before you start entering data for your return; although, you need to choose a version and continue into the tax preparation.

1. Click on My Account in the top center

2. Click on Tools

3. Click Transfer last years TurboTax return from your computer from the list at the bottom

4. Click Continue if prompted

5. Browse for the .tax2014 file

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:59:34 PM

Hey, already at the file end of the process, how do I return to add my last year's taxes?

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:59:36 PM

@ jasonm144
You are posting in an old thread from 2 years ago.   It's not clear what you are asking about when you use the phrase "add last year's taxes."   You can't transfer a 2016 return into an already-started return.   Transferring is done in the very beginning when the return starts off as blank.

You need to start your own current thread so you can be questioned and assisted.   You can start your own new thread at the link below so it will show up to the whole forum as needing help.

When you go to the form at the link, the first box is for a summary of your question, like a title, and is limited to 170 characters..  If you need more room, lower on the form you will come to another box with plenty of room to enter details.    This is a public Internet forum, so don't post any personal info.

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/new">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/new</a>   

I'll close this old thread.

Level 2
Mar 31, 2020 9:37:31 AM

Great information.   Question, do I need to install the 2019 TurboTax Disc into my desktop computer? Thanks

Level 2
Mar 31, 2020 9:39:11 AM

Great information.   Question, do I need to install the 2019 TurboTax Disc into my desktop computer before beginning? Thanks

Level 2
Apr 1, 2020 8:05:27 AM

Sorry I meant to say do I need to insert the 2018 disc before I begin the other steps?  Thank you

Level 15
Apr 1, 2020 8:08:06 AM

@Hitman 

 

You have posted to a very old thread and I have no idea what you are asking about ... try again with more details please. 

Level 2
Apr 2, 2020 8:09:04 AM

Critter thanks for responding.  Question: can I upload my 2018 Turbotax files from my desk top computer and moving forward to an Online Turbotax 2019 return.  And do I need to install the 2018 disc before starting. Thanks

Expert Alumni
Apr 2, 2020 11:14:36 AM

Yes, you can import a prior year tax data file from TurboTax Desktop into TurboTax Online.  You can only import one year to carryover the data.

 

You cannot upload all of the files to the TurboTax Online cloud.

You would want to do this before you start entering data for your return; although, you need to choose a version and continue into the tax preparation.

 

1. Click on My Account in the top center

2. Click on Tools

3. Click Transfer last year's TurboTax return from your computer from the list at the bottom

4. Click Continue if prompted

5. Browse for the .tax20XX file

Level 15
Apr 2, 2020 11:18:00 AM

No you don't need to install the 2018 disc first.  All you need is to have the data file ending in.tax2018 on your computer to transfer into 2019.

 

If you used the Desktop program last year here’s How to transfer into the Online version, expand the blue link if you used the CD/download last year........

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-turbotax-online/00/25953

 

If you already started an online return you will have to clear it and start over to transfer.  How to clear and start over

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-online/00/26444

 

 

If you used the Desktop program before you may not like the online version.  It has less features and no Forms Mode.  You can only do 1 return.  Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2019 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done.  In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something.  You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

Level 2
Apr 5, 2020 2:16:00 PM

John, I'm kind of as thick as a brick.  You gave a great step by step advice on how to move the 2018 return to the internet.  One quick question getting back to that thick as a brick, Do I open my 2018 return and follow the directions you gave or do I go to Turbotax's website. Thanks much, it is appreciated

Level 15
Apr 5, 2020 2:26:10 PM

@Hitman   No you don't need to open the 2018 return.  Just have the file on your computer.  Log into Turbo Tax Online.  Start an Online return,  then 

Go to Tax Tools > Tools > Transfer from your computer > Continue

 

Also see the answer I posted above.

 

 

New Member
Apr 9, 2020 1:44:29 PM

Let's make sure we are on the same page:  I have finished my 2019 return and am ready to submit, but have to know the last year's AGI.  I went to retrieve my last year's return and found that it was going to transfer the  2018 return to the 2019 format.  I didn't want to lose the several hours work I had put into the 2019 return if it dumped my 2019 data in order to transfer the 2018  data and then have it to do all over again!  tell me it's OK to run the 2018 return through the 2019 Turbotax and then pick the AGI number and go back to the 2019 return and submit it!

Level 15
Apr 9, 2020 4:55:58 PM

I'm assuming you are using the Desktop installed program?

Transferring 2018 is ok but won't give you what you want.  You need to look at a 2018 pdf file of your return.  If you only have the data file ending in .tax2018 you need to open it in the 2018 program.

 

You can only transfer 2018 into a new blank 2019 return so it's not going to affect your existing 2019 return.  Have you saved your 2019 return?  Save it again with another name so you have extra copies.  Go up to File-Save As or Duplicate.

New Member
Apr 26, 2020 10:01:04 AM

Can I import the .tax2017  file into my 2019 files?  I lost the .tax2018 file (but do have the hard copies) and would like to be able to import data to populate the 5 year tax history report.

Level 15
Apr 26, 2020 10:16:39 AM

No.  Only from the immediate prior year.  Do you still have the 2018 program?  You might be able to transfer 2017 into a new 2018 return then transfer 2018 to 2019 to get the basic info brought forward.

 

You could manually enter enter some of your real 2018 info into 2018 using Forms Mode.  You could even recreate your actual 2018 return.

Returning Member
Nov 30, 2020 6:45:05 PM

Where is this "MY ACCOUNT" tab you are talking about.? Im pretty disappointed that none of my information is in this new system. It is also not easy to follow these directions since we don't have a start point.  I'm confused about how many log in areas we have. There is no my account listed anywhere for me.


How do I import my previous years data?

Level 15
Nov 30, 2020 6:54:19 PM

The posts with a 2019 date on them are actually older posts that got migrated to this new forum layout and may not apply to current versions.  My Account was in older online versions.  Actually 2019 and prior online accounts are now closed.   What year do you need to prepare?  If you are using the Online version it won't open until early December so keep checking back.  When you log into your same account it should automatically transfer from 2019.  

 

How to Transfer into the Online version

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-turbotax-online/00/25953 

 

Or are you using the Desktop CD/Download program installed on your computer?  You need the data file ending in .tax2019 on your computer to transfer into the 2020 Desktop program. 

 

How to Transfer into the Windows Desktop program

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-for-windows/00/26145 

 

Returning Member
Nov 30, 2020 6:58:36 PM

I dont understand what you are saying. I am late doing my taxes. You want me to wait until the end of the year when I have to do 2020 taxes?

 

Are you saying none of my info will be saved from the previous year unless I do this in December? 

Do I have to sit and post on these forums then too or will I be able to do my taxes?

 

1. Can I import my taxes so I can finish my taxes right now? That is all I need to know. I hate Turbo Tax and am ready to ask for a refund.

 

I have been trying to do my taxes for LAST YEAR for weeks now. This is BS.

Returning Member
Nov 30, 2020 7:00:47 PM

There are two versions? This is insane.

 

I downloaded it because that is the option they gave me.

 

So how do I even do this? I have a Mac computer. This is such a huge show I can't believe that we have to post on a forum for every single thing. Im just laughing at what a huge waste of time this is.

Level 15
Nov 30, 2020 7:02:49 PM
New Member
May 27, 2021 11:26:22 AM

I JUST WANT TO TRANSFER MY RETURN FROM MY OLD COMPUTER TO MY NEW ONE AND I HAVE THE TURBOTAX PROGRAM ALREADY THERE

Level 15
May 27, 2021 11:28:43 AM

This is mainly for Windows.....

You only need the file ending in .tax2019 to transfer into 2020.

 

Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2017, .tax2018 or .tax2019 etc.  They should be in your Documents in a Turbo Tax folder.  You should also have the pdf files of each year.  Or search your computer for all files ending in .tax.  Also if you haven't done it,  I would open each year in the program and save it as a PDF file, go to File-Save to PDF so you don't need the program installed to view or print your return in the future like to get a mortgage or loan, etc.

 

What I would do is just copy the whole Turbo Tax folder that is under your Documents.  That should be where the .tax files and pdf files are stored.  Copy that folder to a flash drive or best yet is to burn it to a CD or DVD and then you will have a backup of them.   Then on the new computer copy the folder (or files) from the flash drive to your Documents folder.

 

The programs need to be installed from the CD or download them again.  You don't need to install them unless you need to amend or open a return.

 

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. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to File-New Tax Return).

 

Then go to FILE -Open and find your return.

 

 See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-computer/00/26128

New Member
Sep 7, 2021 8:32:54 AM

how do I import 2019 return into 2020.