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rdlu_1
New Member

how do i download turbotax to a new computer or transfer it from the old one?

 
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4 Replies
JohnB5677
Expert Alumni

how do i download turbotax to a new computer or transfer it from the old one?

Yes, you can install or work on multiple computers with TurboTax.

 

In the Online version.

If you Sign In with the same User ID and Password to TurboTax Online, you can work on your return from any computer.

 

Desktop

  • The TurboTax software can be installed, and activated on up to 5 different computers, per the license agreement. 
  • After installing TurboTax Desktop, you'll be asked to sign in to your Intuit Account. 
  • You can more easily install TurboTax Desktop on another computer because we’ll store your license code.
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how do i download turbotax to a new computer or transfer it from the old one?

Do you need to move all the programs or just your returns?  Your returns are not in the program but in separate files.

 

You only need the file ending in .tax2023 to transfer into 2024.

 

Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2021 or .tax2022 or .tax2023 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.  They only support the last 3 years so you might not be able to update older years or download any state programs you need.

 

Since you now have to log into an Intuit Account all your downloads and licenses are listed there (even if you bought it from somewhere else) so if you need to download to install it again or install on another computer, even on the other operating system (Windows, Mac).  And the download will always be up to date with all the updates.

 

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...

hcps
New Member

how do i download turbotax to a new computer or transfer it from the old one?

How to transfer 2024 tax return to a different computer

 

RobertB4444
Expert Alumni

how do i download turbotax to a new computer or transfer it from the old one?

Install the software on the new computer.  Locate the file on the old computer that has your tax data in it (it ends in .tax2024) and then copy that file over to the new computer.  When you open the software on the new computer you may have to help it locate the .tax 2024 file that you moved.  Once you do that you'll be all set.

 

@hcps 

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