How do I transfer the 2015 & 2016 TurboTax federal & state returns on my old computer on to my new computer? (I want the more than just PDF copies of the returns.)

[rdcoseril]

In other words, I'd like to be able to open the electronic versions of my 2015 & 2016 TurboTax returns on my new computer without having to manually re-enter the information currently found on TurboTax on my old computer.

[Mike9241]

you would need to install the 2015 and 2016 desktop apps for that. however, for 2015 and 2016 updates are no longer available.  the cd's for those years probably contain the beta version which is not the filing version of the appp. you will likely change the .tax 201X files from what was actually submitted to some other state.  even manually re-entering all the data won't help because the app is an earlier version than what you used to file. 

your best bet is to print out copies of those returns or save them as PDF's.  also, keep an offline copy. hard drives go bad and since TT does not have a copy of returns prepared on your desktop, the returns would be unrecoverable. the IRS only keep the last 7 years so at some point you wouldn't even be able to get a copy from them. 

there is one other possibility. certain web services say they can open and print out copies of prior year returns after yo send them the  .tax2xxx file. I can not vouch for them. 

don't know what your new computer is but it may be possible to move the hard drive containing the apps and .tax201X files to the new one and create a dual boot computer. note that 2015 and 2016 were probably done using windows 7 which as time goes by with no security updates leaves your computer system vulnerable to hackers and malware.  

TT usually makes the CDs for a tax year in November or December of the preceding year with whatever changes are known.  before the filing date in the following January, there are usually dozens and sometimes many more updates - to correct bugs, calculations and update forms. 

[Critter-3]

The  need to open  returns that old   using the program is really not needed. Everything you need is in the PDF even if you need to amend the return.   

What are you trying to accomplish by opening a return that old ? 

[VolvoGirl]

Windows or Mac?

You only need the file ending in .tax2019 to transfer into 2020.

Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2015, .tax2016, .tax2017 or .tax2018 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...

[rdcoseril]

Thank you for the recommendations.