I have a different computer this year. Do I need to install TurboTax 2018 first or do I just need my .2018 tax file?

[AlanT222]

Here's how to securely move it to your new computer while minimizing the chances of data corruption:

1. Make sure your new computer has TurboTax installed on it.
2. Connect a thumb drive or other portable device to your old computer.
3. Copy or move your tax data file to the device. (We recommend copying instead of dragging and dropping.)
4. After copying, disconnect or eject the portable device and connect it to your new computer.
5. Browse to the portable device, select your tax return file, drag it to your desktop (or other easy-to-find location), then release the mouse key and copy (instead of moving) the file.
6. After copying, open TurboTax, browse to where you copied your tax file and open it to make sure it didn't get corrupted.
   • If your file somehow got corrupted, delete it from your device and your new computer and repeat these steps from the beginning.

You might want to delete the file from your portable device for security purposes.

Whatever you do, don't email it to yourself! Email isn't secure.

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

The answer above didn't say but you do not need to install the 2018 program.  Just copy the .tax2018 file to the new computer to transfer into 2019.

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.

 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...

If you are moving to a Mac from Windows or to Windows from Mac you will need to install the right program.  If you have the CD it has both windows and Mac programs on it.  If you downloaded the program you might need to call in and ask for the other download.  Unless you have both downloads in your account already.

[quickc24tt]

Thanks to AlanT222 and VolvoGirl for responding so quickly.  I had already copied most of my documents and other data to the new computer, but didn't want to install anything unnecessary in the way of programs.

I had last years' turbotax in the default (Windows) "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Turbo Tax" folder.

I installed Turbo Tax 2019, and as you suggested, it found my previous data and imported it with no issues.

Thank you both very much!