If I don't have a question -- I am trying to report a bug -- should I be worried that you don't accommodate bug reports?

[raoulwatson]

I understand that the program cannot file, nor do I expect it. But import PDF function should have been the same as the previous years. I don't see how this program can pass quality control with this bug.

[xmasbaby0]

@raoulwatson What are you trying to do?   By "import pdf" are you talking about transferring your 2020 tax file to the new 2021 return?   You transfer the tax file, not a pdf when you are trying to start your new return.

How to transfer last year’s return? https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900883

[raoulwatson]

When you select "Browse" after you begin a new return you will see that you can import Turbotax .tax, OR - Import PDF from TaxAct, H&R Block. The import PDF does not work. You can try it by simply grabbing a PDF return which you might have such as a printout from Turbotax or others.  I don't have a .tax file from Turbotax because my old computer is dead. WHat is even more arsenine is that while I do have an online account from other years (2019 and 2018), I used the desktop for 2020 return and e-file but there is no copy of it on my online account, so generating a .tax file is impossible.

[xmasbaby0]

@raoulwatson If you used desktop software for your 2020 return the tax file is not stored in your online account.   It is only stored on your own hard drive or any back up device you used.

[fanfare]

@raoulwatson 

It's always been that way. 

Importing from a different provider's  PDF gives spurious or incomplete results, anyway.

That's because tax programs depend on the worksheets embedded in the tax file.

[Critter-3]

@raoulwatson 

You cannot transfer a TT PDF into the program ... only other tax companies can be transferred from a PDF and the little that transfers is not worth the time to do it.

You have 2 options since you don't have the .taxfile to transfer :

1) start a new file from scratch and enter in any prior year info as needed

2) install the 2020 program, transfer in from 2019 then recreate the 2020 return to produce the .taxfile you need

This is my mini version of  a tutorial  that should be in the downloaded program: 

 

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

• Why would I use Forms Mode?
• How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Windows software?
• How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Mac software?
• What is-the-meaning-of-all-the-different-colors-in-forms-mode

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

• >>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy: 
• 1.  Open your return in TurboTax. 
• 2.  From the File menu, choose Save As. 
• 3.  Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name). 
• 4. Click  Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original. 
•  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

• >>  use the WHAT IF tool: 
• - Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view) 
• - Click on the Open Form Icon 
• - In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form 
• - You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form 
• - To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

Once you have filed shut off the auto updater function and save the return and .taxfile.

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

1. From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
2. Browse to where you want to save your backup.
   • Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
3. In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
4. Click Save and then close TurboTax.
5. Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:                             

• Retrieve a Tax File from a Portable Device
• What's the difference between the tax data file and the PDF file?

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?
• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Mac?

AND protect the files :

• How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

*** Other clues to the downloaded program ***

In the forms mode ... double click  or right click on a box on a form to data source it ... sadly it doesn't work on all boxes. 

What's the meaning of all the different colors in Forms Mode?

When you look at an onscreen tax form using Forms Mode, you might wonder why one figure is blue and the one next to it is red or black.

These colors indicate the source of that data.

Color	Meaning
Blue	You entered this data, either in the interview or Forms Mode.
Black	The program entered this data or calculated this amount.
Red	This data has either been overridden or is invalid (for example, a ZIP code that doesn't exist).
Red italics	You marked this amount as estimated.
Black italics	The program calculated this amount from an amount you marked as estimated.
Purple	This information has supporting details.
Aquamarine	This data was transferred over from last year.
Green	This data was imported from Quicken or QuickBooks.
Yellow fields (Windows)	Yellow fields allow user input. Anything you enter here shows up in blue.

[VolvoGirl]

@raoulwatson   You can't transfer a pdf you made from a scanned printout.  It has to be an actual electronic pdf from the program.  And I don't think you can transfer a Turbo Tax PDF into the Turbo Tax program, it has to be the tax data file ending in .tax2020.   Didn't you make any backups when you were done filing last year?  

Are you on Windows or Mac?

How to Transfer into the Windows Desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-fo...

How to Transfer from a pdf into the Windows Desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/can-i-transfer-last-year-s-pdf-into-the-turbot...

[raoulwatson]

Oh I have backups, one I e-filed and I have the pdf that TurboTax generated (oh I forgot TurboTax can’t import its own PDF… LOL). They’re not scanned, real PDF file. I’m not sure why the community seems to be defending Intuit. It’s not too much to ask the ability to import things from PDF. Almost everyone creates PDF, all my tax documents W2s are online in PDF format.

I think I’m not asking too much. If I can sit down for a day and write code to import PDF, I’m sure the programmers at Intuit can do it as well.

[Critter-3]

Sorry ... transferring info from a PDF is like taking a picture of your  pet to a VET and asking them to perform surgery on it ... it just will not work.  The income tax program is way to intricate to get the information needed from a static picture. 

And when you import  from informational forms like a W-2 only the figures are pulled from the form into the program (sometimes poorly) but the actual form itself .  Many folks are surprised  when TT doesn't have the form itself even if they take a picture of it when they completed the interview ... the form itself is not saved. 

[VolvoGirl]

If you have backups, don't you have the .tax2020 file backed up too?  You would need to keep that file if you ever needed to amend or open your return in the future in addition to Transferring into 2021.   

[Critter-3]

When an import partner makes the W-2s available online and TT sees you had that employer in the past then an email is sent out just to let you know ... you must still import the W-2 yourself ... this is not done for you automatically.

 

Why can't I import my W-2?

Possible reasons include:

• (December or January) It's still too early;
• The employer's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is missing;
• The Control Number (W-2, Box D) is missing;
• The Box 1 amount is missing (try substituting the YTD or Year To Date gross federal wages amount from your final 2021 pay stub);
• Your employer's payroll service isn't a TurboTax Import Partner;
• (April or later) Payroll has shut down W-2 import for the year.

If you can't import, we'll prompt you to enter your W-2 manually.

Related Information:

• How do I find my employer's EIN or Tax ID?
• Will I be able to import my W-2 before I get it in the mail?
• I have no Box D or Control Number on my W-2
• How do I take a picture of my W-2 in TurboTax Online?

 

 

 

How do I take a picture of my W-2 in the mobile app?

You can import your W-2 into the TurboTax mobile app by taking a picture of it. Here’s how:

1. Tap in the upper left corner to open the menu.
2. Select Federal and then select Wages & Income.
3. Select Job (W-2) and swipe past Let's start with some info from this W-2 screen.
4. The next screen should read Ok, how would you like to enter your W-2? On this screen, tap Snap a photo of my W-2.
5. Follow the directions given in the tips that follow. After the 3rd tip, tap Now let's snap a photo.
   • Note: Although TurboTax will use device's your camera, the W-2 picture won't be saved with your other device pictures nor in your TurboTax account.
6. TurboTax should then automatically import your information or direct you to type it in, if there’s a problem.

Related Information:

• How can I get a copy of my W-2?

 

When will I be able to import my 1099?

You should be able to import your 1099 by early February, assuming your bank or brokerage is a participating TurboTax import Partner.

When you attempt to import a form that's not yet ready, we'll display the availability date your bank or brokerage gave us.

It's not unusual for 1099 forms to become available a week or so after your W-2. This is determined by your bank or brokerage and isn't something we can control.

Related Information:

• Which 1099 forms can be imported?
• Which 1099 forms are not available for import?

 

 

 

How do I import my 1099?

You can securely import your 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT, 1099-OID, or 1099-R into TurboTax, provided your broker or financial institution participates in our TurboTax Partner program.

When you get to the place in TurboTax where we ask if you received that form, answer Yes and we'll give you the option to import.

You can also jump straight to the section for your specific 1099 form. Here's how:

1. With your return open, search for the form – For example, search for “1099-B”.
2. Click the Jump to link in the search results.
3. Now follow the screens and you’ll be able to import your form.

Tip: When selecting your financial institution or brokerage from the list, be sure to select the right one. For example, several participating partners' names start with First National Bank and if you select the "wrong" First National Bank, you won't be able to import.

[Paul J]

And How did you reach a live person?  In 2021, Turbotax seems to be intent on keeping those who wish to report a program bug from their alive staff.  When I called [phone number removed] and told the robot that I wished to report a program bug, I was sent an email with a link to this site.  Hopefully, they will find the problem on their own, if not I think I have a work around.  But I have wasted enough of my time on this issue.

[xmasbaby0]

@Paul J What bug are you trying to report?   We can alert the moderators---but we need details.

[Critter-3]

Much of the program is buggy and incomplete this early in the season ... most are corrected eventually. 

[fanfare]

If TurboTax took bug reports, they would get millions of error reports of little or no value due to user error not software.

Who's going to wade through that ??