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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 4:33:49 PM

I have a ".tax2018" file. How do I open it?

0 78 34945
24 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 4:33:50 PM

The only way to open a .tax2018 file is with the TurboTax CD/Download software for 2018. In addition, if the .tax2018 file contains a state tax return, you have to install the state software before you can open the file.

New Member
Jul 8, 2019 12:23:59 PM

Can I download the software online?

Level 15
Jul 8, 2019 12:30:11 PM

Here is where to buy and download TurboTax 2018 software: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

 

If you have a .tax 2018 tax return, how did you get it? Did someone else do your tax return for you? If you also have a pdf file of your 2018 tax return, you don't need the TurboTax program to open it. 

New Member
Aug 7, 2019 3:11:41 PM

I need file taxes 2018 for my file persone

nel

Level 15
Aug 8, 2019 6:28:45 AM

To @luguvepe : It is not clear what you are asking. You are posting on someone else's thread. Please start a new thread and post again with a more complete question.

New Member
Aug 28, 2019 12:24:21 PM

How do I download the required CD for getting access to my 2018 fed filing?

Level 15
Aug 28, 2019 12:39:23 PM

Assuming you used the online 2018 product to prepare your tax return, you don't need a CD to open the .tax return. Here is how to access it:

To get back into your return after printing or e-filing, please follow these steps:
1. In TurboTax Online, sign into your account.
2. Select Tax Home in the left menu.
3. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents.
4. Select 2018, and then select Add a State (You're not actually adding a state, this just gets you into the right menu).
5. Once you're in your return you can navigate around as usual.

New Member
Oct 17, 2019 2:50:09 PM

Trying to open our Turbotax 2018 return filed using Premier CD (using Windows 10).  when I open TurboTax it cannot find filed return.    help me locate 2018 return.  

thanks DMS

 

Level 15
Oct 17, 2019 2:53:37 PM

Your tax return file ends in .tax2018.  Search your computer for it.  Check the Recycle Bin or Trash.  Check in One Drive, etc.  it should be in your Documents then in the Turbo Tax folder.  Check your backups.

Level 15
Oct 17, 2019 2:55:00 PM


@dms wrote:

Trying to open our Turbotax 2018 return filed using Premier CD (using Windows 10).  when I open TurboTax it cannot find filed return.    help me locate 2018 return.  

thanks DMS

 


The TurboTax 2018 tax data file, which has a file extension of .tax2018, is stored by default in the Documents directory and in the TurboTax folder.  If not in the folder then do a hard drive search for the the tax data file, wild card search *.tax*.  If not found then look in the Recycle Bin if using a Windows OS.

The tax data file must be located on the hard drive of the computer where the TurboTax software is installed, not on an external or network drive.

New Member
Nov 21, 2019 11:35:08 AM

Why do we have to pay AGAIN to get our 2018 tax return?

Level 15
Nov 21, 2019 11:58:31 AM


@rgcool1952 wrote:

Why do we have to pay AGAIN to get our 2018 tax return?


If you used and paid for one of the TurboTax online editions of either Plus, Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed then you do not need to upgrade to Plus and pay for the upgrade.  The 2018 online tax return is available to you up through October 2020.

 

To access your current or prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the userID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and on the section Your tax returns & documents click on Show.  Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)

 

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created.  TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

New Member
Dec 11, 2019 11:01:53 PM

I have filed some returns online and some with the CD Software. I do have the tax2018 file. When starting my 2019 return online it says it cannot find the 2018 return. can I supply the 2018 file somehow?

Level 15
Dec 12, 2019 12:20:25 AM

 


@jabbaworks wrote:

I have filed some returns online and some with the CD Software. I do have the tax2018 file. When starting my 2019 return online it says it cannot find the 2018 return. can I supply the 2018 file somehow?



So do you have the *.tax2018 data file on your computer, and  you want to upload it into a 2019 online return?

If so, here's how:

 

  • If you've already started a 2019 online return, sign in and open the return (click CONTINUE).
  • Once the return is open, in the left menu column click on TAX TOOLS, then TOOLS.
  • In the Tools window choose the link "Transfer last year's TurboTax return from your computer."
  • The next screen will tell you that it will clear the 2019 online return in order to transfer in the 2018 data.  If that's what you want, click "Continue."
  • Keep following the prompts to point TurboTax to the location of the *.tax2018 data file on your computer.

 

Intuit Alumni
Jan 24, 2020 8:16:18 AM

You will need to have the 2018 TurboTax product installed on your computer to open a .tax file.

Please see this TurboTax FAQ for more information:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-open-my-tax-return-in-the-turbotax-software-i-installed/00/26085

New Member
Jan 29, 2020 7:36:46 PM

I DO HAVE  PDF FILE BUT I DIDN'T PRINT MY REFUND. I ONLY NEED TO PRINT AND PAY FOR IT

Intuit Alumni
Jan 29, 2020 8:11:44 PM

Please follow the instructions below to print your return.

How do I print a copy of my return filed in the Tu ...

 

Returning Member
Jan 30, 2020 10:37:22 AM

I need to re file my 2018 tax return because I made a mistake on the ID numbers on my W2'S

Level 15
Jan 30, 2020 11:16:38 AM


@lynnphy wrote:

I need to re file my 2018 tax return because I made a mistake on the ID numbers on my W2'S


See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a 2018 tax return originally completed and filed using TurboTax - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/amending/help/how-do-i-amend-a-return-in-turbotax/01/27579

Returning Member
Feb 9, 2020 10:08:22 AM

I have a similar problem.   But the 2018 file only has *.tax as the suffix NOT *.tax2018 (home & business version).  Wondering if adding the 2018 will work???

Level 15
Feb 9, 2020 10:27:00 AM

Are you on a Mac?  I think it might not show the whole extension.  Where did you get the .tax file?  Did you use the online version or the Desktop program?  If you still have the 2018 program installed see if you can open the file.  Then save it again, go to File-Save As and give it a new name and watch where it saves it.

Returning Member
Feb 10, 2020 5:56:15 PM

My turbotax 2018 program is on a retired computer.  I purchased the CD but cannot find it.  I just need to view a 2018 return to see what my filing status was.  I didn't save a pdf.

Expert Alumni
Feb 10, 2020 6:07:44 PM

We do not save anyone's tax file. 

Not applicable
Feb 22, 2020 8:42:11 PM

I had the 2018 CD, used it last year, no longer have that laptop or the disk. Apparently I only saved the .tax2018 version of my taxes and not the .pdf. The link above takes me to 2019 software. Will this work if I install 2019 software onto my new laptop...will I be able to open the .tax2018 file?