MS Windows Update deleted my Turbotax Program Files. I still have the 2021 .tx files on my laptop but it won't acknowledge.

[juleyh]

I urgently need to review my 2021 filing and I have reloaded Turbotax onto my Desktop, but it refuses to open my 2021.tx files! what am I supposed to do to tell it to open? I went to File Explorer, located them, tried to open on T Tax and it will not acknowledge either of the 2 versions completed in 2022. It only acknowledges 2020!!!

[VolvoGirl]

Did you get 2021 reinstalled and activated ok?  

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.

OR you could try the TaxPrinter service to convert a .tax file to pdf at

http://www.taxprinter.com

[juleyh]

I don't understand what you mean about fake return

I have the pdf but I don't choose to re-enter all of my data after paying for this software. It should easily be able to open the existing .tx files especially when I show exactly where they are located.

[juleyh]

Sorry, I now see I needed to scroll upwards and I created a fake return so I could add my State.

[juleyh]

This is a nightmare. It added State but now it thinks my 2020 tax file is for 2021. It clearly reads 2020, I don't understand why it's so stupid.

If I understand you, I ignore this and close the Program, re=open and start a new return?

[VolvoGirl]

I'm sorry I'm not following you.   After you get the state program downloaded you can close the fake return and open the real .tax2021 file.  Just go up to File-Open and try to open your return.   It will either show up in the box to Continue or you can browse to where it is.  

No you don't start a new return.  Just open your existing return.

[juleyh]

It did finally open the Return, but it seems to think I'm trying to amend it. I never actually filed it, just filed an Extension. I can't see the usual Menu where I can jump from topic to topic to review my entries.

[VolvoGirl]

What is showing on the screen?  Do you have all the menu tabs at the top?  Try clicking on Federal.  You didn't click on Amend on the start page?  Can you click on Forms in the upper right?  Then if there is a 1040X amended form listed you can delete it.

[juleyh]

Where can I enter the Fed payment & State payment made with my Extensions in 2022?

[VolvoGirl]

Are you back in your return?  Good.

To enter the amount you paid with an extension (including state extension)  go to

Federal Taxes (or Personal for desktop H&B version)

Deductions and Credits

Then scroll way down to Estimates and Other Taxes Paid

Other Income Taxes - Click the Start or Update button

Next page second section Payments with Extension

Either Visit All or Click Start or Update by the extension you paid

[juleyh]

When I was trying to add my State, I started a fake return and I think I checked amend. Then I tried to delete that reuturn but don't recall how. 

I started a "new" return then opened the old file, so it shouldn't be an amended return and I don't see a 1040X (it would be at the top?) on Forms.

I want to go back over all of it from the beginning, but my State wants to know some things very soon so I'm just trying to ascertain whether  T-Tax should even be adding that late penalty given that I payed by the Tax deadline. But I didn't enter the amounts I payed with Extensions so I need to enter that now, and date when I made the payments at the filing date in 2022.

[VolvoGirl]

If Turbo Tax gives you a penalty you can try to reduce or eliminate it.  It's form 2210.

It's under

Federal or Personal (for Home & Business Desktop)

Other Tax Situations

Additional Tax Payments

Underpayment Penalties - Click the Start or update button

If you have the desktop program you can switch to Forms Mode (click forms in the upper right (left for Mac)) and open the 2210 form.  If the 2210 doesn't show up in the left column, click on Open Forms at the top of the left column.  Type 2210 in the search box and open the 2210 form.  Check box C to let the IRS calculate it.

[juleyh]

Thanks, I will defifnitely have to look at Form 2210 bc the figures they are using do not correspond to my 2020 Tax obligation, they exceed what I owed and in fact I received a Refund. They are calculating a penalty based on a prior year amount to be withheld that exceeds the actual amount that was owed. paid, or withheld in 2020! They have a vivid imagination.