Does not TurboTax 2021 transfer .tax2020 that is on my computer?

[klmyers72]

I literally have the 2020 return running on my computer and TurboTax 2021 still does not recognize it.

[bluedeb · Accepted solution]

Transfer a 2020 tax file (.tax2020) from the Desktop software to Online:

You can transfer last year's tax data file (with a filename extension .tax2020) if you're preparing your 2021 return online in TurboTax Live Basic, TurboTax Deluxe, TurboTax Live Deluxe, TurboTax Premier, TurboTax Live Premier, TurboTax Self-Employed, or TurboTax Live Self-Employed. (Free Edition, with or without MAX, doesn't support transferring last year's .tax file.)

• You won't be able to transfer a PDF, it must be a tax data file with a filename extension .tax2020
• Remove any password protection from the data file before transferring

Note: If you already started your 2021 return in TurboTax Online, transferring will clear any info you have already entered. Please keep in mind, a .tax file from a previous year won't transfer if the file is password protected.

Here's how to transfer:

You have to use TurboTax Online on your computer to do this transfer (it won't work from a mobile device/mobile web, or in the mobile app).

1. Sign in to TurboTax Online and start a new return, or open or continue a return you already started
2. After the screen has loaded, select the Tax Tools drop-down menu in the left menu and then select Tools
3. In the pop-up window, select the Transfer last year's TurboTax return from your computer link. (If you don’t see this option, you may need to clear and start over.)

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

[Mike9241]

do you have the 2020 return open in the Turbotax 2020 app?  close it. also, if it's not in the default folder, you'll have to browse to find it.

[Jammertax]

I found and transferred the data from 2020 but the data does not show up in the 2021 tax form.  Not using the on-line version but the downloaded software.  Any suggestions?

[CarissaM]

It would be best to follow the instructions here so we can assist you further by phone. @Jammertax

[VolvoGirl]

@Jammertax   Are you on Windows or Mac?  Maybe you have another 2020 file.

Here's an idea. Do you still have 2020 installed? Try opening 2020 program and see if you can get your 2020 return to show up in it. Go to FILE - OPEN. And see if that is the right one.

Then in the 2020 program do a File-Save AS and give it a easy name you can find or search for. And note where it saves it or select where to save it so you can find it again. The file will end in .tax2020. Then close the 2020 program. Then start a new 2021 return and transfer from the 2020 file.

If you don't have the main .tax file you might have one that starts with a Tilde sign ~ like "~your name.tax2020". That file is if your computer crashes or your real file gets lost or deleted or corrupt so you can restore it.