With the desktop version of TurboTax, your tax file is saved in the documents/turbotax directory by default, unless you take physical action to change that location. (Which I do not recommend) Now assuming your 2017 taxes are filed, accepted and completely processed by the IRS, as well as your state if you filed a state return, You should do several things here to protect yourself against loss.
- Open up TurboTax Tax 2017 and save your 2017 tax file in PDF format. That too will be saved by default to the documents/turbotax directory. When you save it, elect to save *E*V*E*R*Y*T*H*I*N*G*. Not just the files required for filing, and not just the files "for your records". You want to save absolutely everything into the PDF file. That will include all calculation forms and worksheets. That way, if years down the road anything comes into question about the numbers on your tax return, not only can you see that number, but with all the worksheets you can see how the program arrived at that number.
- Print out a hard copy of that PDF file. Yes, it will quite easily be over 100 pages, sometimes even for the simplest of returns. Then store that hardcopy printout in a safe place.
- Make a backup of both the .tax2017 file and the PDF file. For backup, the best thing for that is a CDR or DVD-R. You can also back up to an external device such as a USB thumb drive. The more backup copies, the better. There is no such thing as "to many backups". If something happens to your computer and you can no longer access the hard drive for example, then if you don't have a backup of your tax files, the bottom line is, *you* *are* *royally* *screwed* should you find yourself in a situation where you need it. TurboTax does not keep a copy of your tax file anywhere, if you use the CD/desktop version.
- Now on that backup copy you have, you should also have a copy of the TurboTax 2017 installation program, along with all the required corrections and updates, as well as the state installation module. TurboTax only supports their software for the current tax year and three years back. Once expired, the updates and state modules are no longer available. Period. So if say, four years down the road you need to correct something on your 2017 return because you got a notice from the IRS or state directing you to do so, if you no longer have the original computer you prepared the 2017 return on with all the updates and corrections installed, then chances are very, very, very high that using an "unfixed" version of the program will make your situation irreversibly worse.
- For TurboTax 2017 you can get the "final" package of updates and corrections at https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901192-manually-update-turbotax-for-windows-software-basic-deluxe... For 2017 the final release is R49. After you download it, include it with your backup.
- If you need a state module for 2017, you can get whichever state(s) you need in your online account download area. If you purchased a state or have a CD that came with a free state, then you can call TurboTax Telephone support and once they confirm what you have, they will put a copy of the state module in your online account download area if it's not there already. Include this with your backup too.
