FWIW, I will likely have to amend all of those returns based on a little-known exception to the 3-year limitation - the "change in accounting method" exception.
These are what I think are the last manual update files for 2009 through 2013 (I'm sure the one for 2013 is the latest), available on TurboTax's server:
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2009.15c.0101.exe
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2010.20a.0100.exe
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2011.190.0100.exe
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2012.190.0100.exe
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2013.340.0100.exe
Earlier ones might be out there, but I don't know what they are.
So sorry, but updates and support are not available for any software prior to 2013.
I'm painfully aware of that limitation, but I'm looking for an exception from Intuit. I'm only asking for the final manual update file from each of those years. I'm betting they exist and I don't really want support from their team. It doesn't seem a lot to task from a customer who has bought TurboTax every year since 1989.
I posted your request where a moderator may see it tomorrow. But, really, do not get your hopes up that they will be able to provide those updates to you.
I certainly agree it's unlikely, but it's worth posting here and then submitting it to Intuit support when they open in the morning.
And do you have the .tax data file for each year? Starting in 2008 they added the year to the end like .tax2008, .tax2009, etc.
Let's back up a second. There is NOT an exception to the 3 year rule for a "change in accounting method". A "Change Accounting Method" is done by Form 3115, not by amending.
What EXACTLY are you trying to do, and why?
I DO have .tax as well as .taxYYYY files for every year (sadly, ,back to 1991). Fortunately, I won't need any beyond 2004 even in the worst case.
GREAT QUESTION, TaxGuyBill. The short answer is "I won't be requesting a change in accounting method, I'm at risk that the IRS will dictate it." I am at risk that they will order a tax recalculation back beyond 3 years because they disagree with a revenue allocation done in those years and that THEY will use "change in accounting method" as their justification for ignoring the 3 year statute of limitations. Without going into unnecessary details, they did just that to me and my partners on a completely separate and different transaction in 2005, reaching back to the original transaction 7 years prior to recalculate taxes and interest.
That makes slightly more sense, but I still don't know why you think you would need to amend. If the IRS changes something, the changes are all done, and there is no need to amend.
The "change in accounting method" doesn't DIRECTLY allow the IRS to go past 3 years. However a "substantial understatement of tax" does allow them to go past 3 years. If they disallow an unauthorized "change in accounting method", that could create the "substantial understatement of tax".
I can see where it might be necessary to recalculate earlier years to correct a carryforward amount that might be subject to change on tax returns still open to assessment.
Good point about calculating any carryforwards. But just be aware you would not need to actually send in an amended return if the IRS has already changed it.
Thanks for the feedback, gentle folk. I guess my concern is that I (foolishly) want to make sure the IRS "gets it right" if they choose to go back that far to the originating business event.
What if the IRS has no intention of going over your tax returns again? You will certainly be alerting them to issues if you file thirteen years of amended tax returns.
As I explained above, I won't be amending these returns unless I am forced (other than the three required). I merely want to be prepared IN CASE the IRS decides to go back to the creation of the company (2004).
For those of you who like closure, I will present my results. In summary, I was able to produce valid and reconciled 1040X amended returns for tax years 2004 - 2016. 2014-2016 was easily done using the up-to-date TurboTax software I already had on my Win10 machine. Thanks to @dmertz I was able to update the CD TurboTax software I had reloaded for 2009 - 2013, again on my Win10 machine. Unfortunately, 2004 - 2008 TurboTax versions would not successfully load on Win10, so I had to create a "Virtual Windows XP PC" inside Win10 and reload the 2004 - 2008 CD TurboTax software there. Thanks to @rjs I was then able to update 2008 tax year software on the Win XP virtual PC. I never found any updates for 2004 - 2007, so I went to a VERY OLD backup of my previous PC (which still had the final versions of 2004 - 2007 TurboTax programs loaded) and copied the Forms subdirectory over the one loaded from the CD. Using that "kludged" version of the 2004 - 2007 tax years software worked well enough for me to produce 1040X amended returns that reconciled to my original file copies of those tax years. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PROCESS TO ANYONE, but it worked for me. Now, I hope never to have to file these.
These are what I think are the last manual update files for 2009 through 2013 (I'm sure the one for 2013 is the latest), available on TurboTax's server:
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2009.15c.0101.exe
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2010.20a.0100.exe
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2011.190.0100.exe
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2012.190.0100.exe
http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2013.340.0100.exe
Earlier ones might be out there, but I don't know what they are.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2008.exe">http://patchdelivery.turbotax.intuit.com/w_perrelsuperpatch_ttax_2008.exe</a>
Prior to 2008 the update format was different, and they apparently are not on the server, or at least not on the one that we know about.
Thanks for @dmertz and @rjs for providing links to the latest federal manual updates for 2008-2013. Extremely helpful with reinstallations.
Can anyone help me source California State manual update files for 2012 and 2013?
I purchase the "Federal & State Returns" retail CD version of TT Home & Business every year and need to add the CA State return functionality to at least 2012 and 2013 reinstallations, however the Online, Download State, "Let's Complete Your Purchase Online" option within the software fails with message "We’re having trouble processing your request." I have exhausted Intuit's online support offerings without success.
My understanding after a bit of research is that the latest files may be the following.
w_california_ind_2012.04f.0100.exe
w_california_ind_2013.10a.0101.exe
Can anyone offer a sourcing suggestion? Thanks
There are no manual updates for states (and there were none for 2012 and 2013). The file names that you listed are complete state downloads that were available when the 2012 and 2013 software was available for purchase. They are the complete state program, not updates. If you purchased California downloads for 2012 and 2013 they should still be available for downloading on the Downloads & Unlocks page in the account that you used to purchase them. The only other way to get them would be to find someone else who has the 2012 and 2013 California downloads in their TurboTax account. Unfortunately, when you purchase a state using "Download State" in the software, the download is not saved in Downloads & Unlocks in your account.
Thanks RJS for your, as always, thoughtful and thorough reply. Here's an update.
I was able to purchase the 2013 California State forms set download from Intuit TurboTax support in a Customer Service call. The file name is w_california_ind_2013.10a.0101.exe. The 2012 California State forms download version is not available through Intuit TurboTax Customer Service. The CSR claimed that it is not on their servers.
In the end I will probably be able to obtain the 2012 California forms set file from another source. I'll let you know how that works out.
Thanks, you're a lifesaver! Happen to also have the 2014 one? Thanks!