How to review my tax file without updating the TurboTax program

[Yepper22]

I have already e-filed my tax returns.  I want to go back now and review something in my tax file (not in my PDF file).  Before I can open my tax return, TurboTax wants me to first update the program.  But I don’t want to update it because I want everything, including the program itself, to be as they were when I e-filed my returns.

Unfortunately, at this point, TurboTax is not giving me the option to ignore their update request.  If I don’t update the program, I can only close the program.

Questions:

1. How can I review my tax file without first updating the TurboTax program?
2. What if I went ahead and updated the program -- but the updates alone cause a change to my tax returns.   What then?  Is this even possible with a return that’s already filed?

Thanks.

[Kat]

You "may" be able to search your computer for a .tax2021 file (maybe on your C drive).  If you can locate the .tax file, you could save it to an external storage device without first updating your TurboTax software.

The problem is, you won't be able to "read" the tax data file outside of your TurboTax software.  But maybe you have a friend who has the software on their computer and you could open your tax file using someone else's software?

It's not uncommon for TurboTax updates to change the outcome of a tax return, especially early in filing season.  So you may see a change once you've updated your software.  

[Rocket J Squirrel]

This is harder than it seems. My first thought was disconnect from the Internet and restart TT, but that doesn't work. If you have auto-update set, TT insists on having the network so it can update. (This is a serious bug. What if your network is genuinely down and you need to open TT? It won't let you!)

Then I was thinking you could edit the file

%AppData%\Intuit\TurboTax\TY21\TTWinUserState.xml

It contains a line for this, with 3 states:

<entry key="Intuit.Ctg.Wte.Service.eDelivery.UpdaterPreference">AutoDownload</entry>

or

<entry key="Intuit.Ctg.Wte.Service.eDelivery.UpdaterPreference">AskUserToCheck</entry>

or

<entry key="Intuit.Ctg.Wte.Service.eDelivery.UpdaterPreference">Disabled</entry>

But it seems that line of that file lags behind the actual program. So you might try carefully editing it and rebooting the PC and/or restarting TT several times and see whether that will change the state of the updater preference. Please let me know if it works.

PS: Hi, @Kat !

[Yepper22]

Rocket, thanks for your suggestions, but I took a different route.  I took a chance and allowed the program to initiate an update -- but I immediately cancelled the update.  This allowed me to get into the program (hopefully) without it changing/updating.  My mistake, of course, was forgetting to change the default update setting when I installed the program (which you reminded me of when you used the phrase “auto-update set”) by going to Online tab > Updater Preferences > Ask Me Before Getting Updates. 

And Kat, thanks for your help, too.  Your comment, “It's not uncommon for TurboTax updates to change the outcome of a tax return, especially early in filing season,” got me thinking.  What if these potential outcome changes result in a higher tax liability or a lower tax refund?  Would that expose the TurboTax user to a higher risk for a tax audit?  This is the main reason why I don't want to allow the TurboTax program to change after I file my tax returns.

[Kat]

@Rocket J Squirrel Hey, buddy!  I was so happy to see your name on this post!  Thanks for your technical knowledge in helping @Yepper22.  Sounds pretty complicated to me.

[Kat]

@Yepper22 I've never used any other tax prep software, so I can't compare.  But I'd think that all of them have early-season "bugs" that need to be worked out.  Until I joined the Community, I was a naive user who thought the software was fully accurate at the point of release.  😕  I've learned so much.  I typically wait until later in filing season to e-file for that reason alone.

Yes, refunds and tax liabilities change.  Obviously, this is problematic and often results in the need to amend a return.    TurboTax Accuracy guarantee is always there, of course, but the guarantee covers only penalties and interest owed.  Taxes are still yours to pay (if the updates work in the favor of the IRS), but there's no way to recoup the pain the the rear that amending entails.  

Failing to update your TurboTax program won't change the outcome.  It just changes the fact that you are AWARE of changes that have occurred.  The IRS will sniff you out.  😉  

So I file later and hope that by then things are ironed out much better.  Best of luck!

[Yepper22]

Thank you, Kat, for your comments.   They make a lot of sense.

I guess the main reason why I file my returns early in the season (in addition to just “getting it out of the way”) is because non-TurboTax tax experts have been encouraging people to file early in order to reduce the risk of tax fraud by criminals seeking to steal your identity.

I guess like most everything else, one has to weigh the pros and cons of filing early.

Thanks again for your help.

[czrunner1]

I have been struggling with this issue of unwanted prior year program updates for two years now.  Quick cancelling of the updates didn't work for me.  Unfortunately, I can't change the updater preferences in the old program, because I can't open it.  Anybody has figured something not too complicated?

Thank you.

[CarissaM]

This would be best handled by giving us a call. Please follow the instructions here to contact us. @czrunner1