How can I transfer last years data from a thumb drive?

[granthaminsuranc]

I have used turbo tax many years and it always showed up and transfered.  This time it will not show up to transfer, it is on the drive I can see the file

[HelenC12]

To retrieve your 2019 .tax file from your thumb drive, see the TurboTax FAQ Retrieve a tax file from a portable device.

[granthaminsuranc]

Thanks but that is not the problem.  I can see last years tax return on my computer and the thumb drive.  It will not allow me to transfer the data to the new year

[VolvoGirl]

What is the file you have on the thumb drive?  Is it the tax data file ending in .tax2019 or the pdf?  First copy it to your computer and don't try to transfer from the thumb drive.  Are you trying to transfer it into the Desktop program or the Online web version?

[ToddL99]

Please clarify - are you using an online or a desktop version of TUrboTax?

[granthaminsuranc]

desk top

[VolvoGirl]

Here's an idea. Do you still have 2019 installed? Try opening 2019 program and see if you can get your 2019 return to show up in it. Go to FILE - OPEN. And see if that is the right one.

In the 2019 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 .tax2019. Then close the 2019 program. Then start a new 2020 return and transfer from the 2019 file.

What happens when you try to transfer it?  See if you have any other .tax2019 files on your computer. Maybe you're trying to transfer the wrong one.  Do you also have the Business program?  Both the Business and Personal files end in .tax2019.  

See if you have a file staring with a Tilde sign ~ like "~your name.tax2019". That file is if your computer crashes or your real file gets lost or deleted or corrupt so you can restore it.  Maybe you can transfer from that one.

[granthaminsuranc]

it is a pdf

[VolvoGirl]

Where did you get the pdf?  And I don't think you can transfer a pdf into the Desktop program.  It has to be the actual data file ending in .tax2019.

I wouldn't bother trying to transfer from a pdf. It only transfers very basic info like your name and address and AGI. Did you use Turbo Tax last year or is it another pdf? It has to be an electronic pdf file not one you scanned in. If you used Turbo Tax you should have a data file ending in tax2019 on your computer or be in the same online account and it will automatically transfer.

You need to have the actual electronic pdf file not a printed or scanned copy. And then it only transfers your basic personal info. See the last section here. Or you will just have to manually enter any it needs as you go along.

Transfer pdf to Online version. See the section if you used other software last year.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-...

[granthaminsuranc]

So I finally got it working!   I copied the file from the thumb drive to the computer.   Started over and when it gave me the opportunity to transfer files from last yea and I opened the file.  It populated the new program just as it has for the last 40 years.  Or how ever long turbotax has been around.  Thank you for your ideas and efforts to help!!  I am working on my taxes!  But that is ok, in life you have two guarantees.  Death and taxes.  Glad I can do my taxes!!!!!

[VolvoGirl]

What file did you copy & use?  The pdf or the .tax2019?