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

[FJoeC]

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.

[VolvoGirl]

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.

[amandhillon1]

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?

[VolvoGirl]

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-... 

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-fo... 

[amandhillon1]

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.

[amandhillon1]

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.

[VolvoGirl]

I didn't know you were trying to do 2019 return.  See the answer I posted on your other post here

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/after-you-file/discussion/re-had-turbo-tax-online-for-years-now-ha... 

[lnroden]

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

[VolvoGirl]

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-compu...

[polychemservicesinc]

how do I import 2019 return into 2020.

[xmasbaby0]

@polychemservicesinc 

That transfer must be done BEFORE you start to enter any new 2020 data.

How to transfer last year’s return? https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900883

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900883-how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-online

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2262857-when-transferring-a-tax-file-what-information-carries-over...

[VolvoGirl]

@polychemservicesinc  From 2019 where to 2020?

How to transfer into the Online version

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

Transfer from 2019 Desktop into the Online version:

You will need to have the .tax2019 file on your computer.  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-...

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-onli...

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 .tax2020 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.

[DoninGA]

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@polychemservicesinc wrote:

how do I import 2019 return into 2020.

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For transferring the 2019 tax return to the 2020 online editions see this TurboTax support FAQ - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-...