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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 5:31:09 PM

I have bought a new computer and would like to copy TurboTax software for previous years from the old computer to the new computer. Please advise.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 5:31:10 PM

You can't copy the software from one computer to another. You have to install it on the new computer from the CD or download for each year.

You can copy your tax return data files to the new computer. They have the file name extension .tax20yy, where yy is the year. For example, the file name extension is .tax2015 for your 2015 tax return, .tax2016 for your 2016 return, etc. The default location for the .tax20yy data files is My Documents/TurboTax, but you could have saved them in a different folder.

24 Replies
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 5:31:10 PM

You can't copy the software from one computer to another. You have to install it on the new computer from the CD or download for each year.

You can copy your tax return data files to the new computer. They have the file name extension .tax20yy, where yy is the year. For example, the file name extension is .tax2015 for your 2015 tax return, .tax2016 for your 2016 return, etc. The default location for the .tax20yy data files is My Documents/TurboTax, but you could have saved them in a different folder.

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 5:31:13 PM

Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2014, .tax2015, .tax2016 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.

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/questions/1901474-move-your-tax-return-to-a-different-computer

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.

New Member
Jul 7, 2019 8:20:52 AM

I also have the same problem.  My old laptop had a cd drive, which is now broken.  The new one doesn't.  I transferred all turbotax files to my new laptop.  I am trying to find the folder to where the turbotax program was installed and perhaps execute that file to my new one?  I looked under "Program Files", but I can't locate it.  Or is this not possible?

Level 15
Jul 7, 2019 8:26:45 AM

Sorry, as I said the programs need to be installed from the CD or download.  Maybe if you call in they can put the download in your account.  Where did you buy the CD?  If you are on the Turbo Tax Advantage plan you also have the download.

 

Contact Customer Service 5am-5pm Pacific M-F

https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

New Member
Jul 7, 2019 8:55:59 AM

I bought the CD at Costco.

New Member
Jul 7, 2019 8:58:48 AM

I will just go ahead and run the CD at another laptop I have that has a cd-rom.  I wanted to see what my taxes would have been if I added more income, to prep for next year.  Just to confirm, it is not possible to execute program from explorer directory?

Level 15
Jul 7, 2019 11:09:15 AM

That's right. You cannot transfer the TurboTax program directories and run them on the new computer. You have to install the TurboTax software on the new computer from the CD or a download.

New Member
Jan 25, 2020 1:38:34 PM

I saved my TurboTax file for 2019 into Documents in the Cloud. 

Now when I turn on my new computer I can see the document in the Cloud but I cannot open it because I do not have TurboTax application installed on the new computer

When I go to TurboTax it wants me to purchase the download to the new computer but I already purchased the 2019 Premier on the old computer.

So do I have to buy the application again or just use the old computer for 2019 taxes?

Really would like to use the new computer as it is an Apple MacBookAir 2019 while my old one is a MacBook Air 2012.

Help

Thanks/Richard Conant

 

New Member
Jan 25, 2020 1:39:35 PM

So I have to repurchase the application for the new computer?

Level 15
Jan 25, 2020 1:59:14 PM

No.  If you bought the Desktop CD/Download program you can install it on 5 computers.  Install it the same way as you did on the first computer.  If you have the CD but don't have a CD drive you can download the program.  

 

How to install Turbo Tax if you don't have a CD drive

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/i-bought-the-cd-but-my-computer-doesn-t-have-a-cd-drive/01/26450

 

You can copy the tax return data file that ends in .tax2019.

New Member
Feb 23, 2020 12:04:31 AM

To transfer 2018 data to new computer I think you need to install 2018 software on new computer and then transfer the data.  Make sure the transfer worked. Then install 2019 software. Then when you do your 2019 taxes the 2018 data should transfer over to make doing your taxes a bit easier. That isn't clear from most of the posts.

Level 15
Feb 23, 2020 6:51:12 AM


@ROBERTINSEATTLE wrote:

To transfer 2018 data to new computer I think you need to install 2018 software on new computer and then transfer the data.


You do not have to install the 2018 software in order to transfer information from your 2018 tax return when you start your 2019 tax return. You just need the .tax2018 data file and the 2019 software.

Returning Member
Feb 27, 2020 2:38:57 PM

when I copied turbo tax file from old computer to new computer  windows 10 the PDF files were fine but the tax files are not readable. when I install turbo tax 2019 will they be readable. I have all the previous years cds.

Level 15
Feb 27, 2020 2:40:40 PM


@brigadoon02 wrote:

when I copied turbo tax file from old computer to new computer  windows 10 the PDF files were fine but the tax files are not readable. when I install turbo tax 2019 will they be readable. I have all the previous years cds.


 

Level 15
Feb 27, 2020 2:48:01 PM

You do need each year's program installed to open the .tax file.  Like to open a .tax2018 return you need the 2018 program.

 

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-computer/00/26128

Returning Member
Mar 9, 2020 3:13:30 PM

I hit wrong button, that wasn’t my question.

i just purchased software to file my 2018 Taxes. My Dad paid for with his credit card. I put his name and billing address on my order and now it says his name on my order for 2018 software when it’s suppose to be me, Kimberle Naughten.

Do I need to speak with the billing Dept?

Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2020 3:36:33 PM

Please call TurboTax Customer service.  Here is a link:  Turbo Tax Customer Service

Level 15
Mar 9, 2020 3:38:24 PM

Does the name matter?  It shouldn't affect anything.  Can you download the program?  

 

Contact Customer Service
5am-9pm Pacific Time Monday - Sunday
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

What is the Turbo Tax phone number
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

New Member
Mar 15, 2020 3:45:43 PM

how do i copy my old file to a new computer

New Member
Mar 15, 2020 3:53:07 PM

There is a program called "EaseUS ToDo PC Trans Pro" that lets you transfer programs from one computer to another using an image file. Need to connect both computers via ethernet cable, which might be beyond some people's comfort level. 

Copying the tax files is easy. Just get a flashdrive and copy files to it, then take to other computer and copy them there. 

Intuit Alumni
Mar 16, 2020 8:16:14 AM

For info on how to securely move your tax data file to your new computer please click the link below.

 

 

How do I move my tax data file to another computer ...

New Member
Mar 19, 2020 11:38:44 AM

I transferred my 2019 taxes from my old computer to a new one but only got the forms which I don't think will transfer next year to my 2020 taxes. I believe I need to transfer  the Turbo Tax program in order to do this, I have lost the CD. Do I need to get another one? if so, what is the process once I get it. Thanks for your help Mike. [email address removed]

Level 15
Mar 19, 2020 11:44:57 AM

@mikecour 

You do not need the 2019 TurboTax program in order to transfer your information to your 2020 tax return. All you need is the .tax2019 data file for your 2019 tax return.

 

Returning Member
Oct 31, 2020 9:58:07 AM

Please provide the steps to do this??? [email address removed]