My 2023 turbotax file was deleted. How do I manually import the information from the tax return info I downloaded from the IRS website?

[Ruzindla]

I'm trying to determine if I can do so before purchasing turbotax 2024. To test this in turbotax 2023 I created a new return but the only options to import previous returns appears to be only allowed in turbotax format or pdf. I imported the 2022 pdf from the IRS for testing and it failed to import. What is bets practice when we lose our previous years data?

[DoninGA]

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your 2023 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.

If you have the 2023 tax data file which has a file extension of .tax2023 or a saved PDF from TurboTax and you have the 2023 TurboTax desktop edition, then you would need to start the 2023 program and then click on the File menu at the top left of the desktop program screen.  Then click on Open Tax Return

Or go to this IRS website for free federal tax return transcripts - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

For a fee of $30 you can get a complete federal tax return from the IRS by completing Form 4506 - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

[xmasbaby0]

Did you use the desktop software and somehow delete your own tax return----or are you just having trouble finding it on your own hard drive?

Or did you use the desktop version of TurboTax?  If so, the files are on your own hard drive or any backup device you used like a flash drive.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901659-find-your-tax-data-file-in-mac

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/find-last-year-tax-data-file-...

If you used desktop software downloaded/installed from a CD to your own computer, then the tax files are stored locally on your own hard drive or any backup device you used like a flash drive.  They are not stored online.  If you cannot recover them due to a hard drive failure, etc. you can get a free transcript from the IRS or for a fee of $30 an actual copy of your tax return.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

You cannot "import" the return from the IRS into the next year's software.   When you move information from the previous year to the new tax year, that is called "transferring" the data, and you need to transfer the tax file.   If you really cannot get to the tax file, you will just start 2024 from scratch and will need to re-enter your personal information, etc. 

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-y...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-y...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-fo...

[Ruzindla]

It's my fault when I reformatted my computer the .2023tax file I thought was backed up to cloud never synced so it is gone. Yes it was the desktop version and I plan on using desktop version again. 

Testing in 2023 Turbotax didn't appear to give me a place to input the information manually. I have the free transcript from the IRS. That is what I would like to do for adding my previous tax years. Is it as simple as I want it to be?

If I start from scratch in 2024 Turbotax how exactly do I get all of my information into it from the free IRS transcript?

[xmasbaby0]

@Ruzindla If you are hoping to "transfer" the transcript from the IRS in to your new 2024 return--no, you will not be able to do that.   You are going to start 2024 from scratch if you do not have a tax file.   Your entries will all have to be keyed in manually.

[Ruzindla]

So when you say start from scratch you mean I can.not transfer any information from previous tax years unless it is a turbo tax file format? I have several capital losses that need to carry over. There has to be a way. This is ridiculous if not. How is someone supposed to start fresh with no previous tax information? That is important info. The IRS has provided the transcript. How on earth do I enter it?

[DoninGA]

@Ruzindla Did you save a PDF of the 2023 return to include all worksheets?  If so, you can use that information when completing the 2024 return, but as stated you have to enter it manually.

If your concern is capital loss carryovers, you can enter the carryover in the 2024 desktop program.

For a capital loss carryover -

Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
Click on Wages and Income (Personal Income using Home and Business)
Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
Under Investment Income
On Capital Loss Carryover, click the start or update button

Or enter capital loss carryover in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen. Click on Jump to capital loss carryover

[Ruzindla]

Ok cool. Thanks y'all!

So what I am gathering is I am able to manually enter what I have from IRS for the year 2023. Thats a relief.

Also thanks for the instruction on how to do capital losses carry over.  Those capital losses were from 2021 and I've continued to get $3000 or so of that applied to the last couple years of taxes. So I'd like to keep that going.

I have a few questions, for one does this type of information for previous years get stored in the next years turbo tax save file? I have the 2022 turbo tax file and every year since at least 2016 I've been transferring in my previous years turbotax file into that years current one.

Would best practice be to transfer everything in from the 2022 tax file and then manually add all the information I have from the IRS free transcript for the 2023 missing info?

Would that then have me all caught up and ready to work on my 2024 taxes?

Thanks for your help thus far everyone

[VolvoGirl]

Yes if you want to do all the work and have the .tax2022 file you can transfer that into a brand new 2023 return.  Then fill out 2023 manually and hopefully match what you actually filed.   Then you will have a .tax2023 file to transfer into 2024.   

[Ruzindla]

Dang that sounds like a lot of work! but if thats why I got to do so be it. 

I just found the turbotax pdf for 2023! It's the thing with all the work sheets and over 100 pages long. Thats way better than the IRS transcript. Huge sigh of relief.

Will that pdf transfer into TurboTax 2024? whats the best way to utilize this pdf?

The top of it looks like this

[VolvoGirl]

The only things that will transfer from a pfd file is basic personal info like your name, address, ssn and AGI.   And it has to be the electronic pdf file and not a pfd file you scanned from a printout.   But you can use it to get the carryover amounts to manually enter into 2024 and any other info you need to enter.   

[Ruzindla]

Amazingly the .tax2023 file showed up. I could have sworn months ago it was gone forever. I even thought I had found it a few months ago but it appeared to contain nothing. Well I found it again and opened up and it was sure enough complete and matches my pdf for the federal return amount.

So I see now there could be some advantage to using Turbo Tax Online? Is it pretty easy to switch?

Seems like there are no good discounts on it though where as the desktop version of premiere through Amazon is much cheaper. with black Friday right now Also feel like I'd be giving up some level of control if I went with TurboTax Online.

Any thoughts? preferences? I've used desktop version for years but I know what a hassle it can be if we lose our data.

[VolvoGirl]

Yeah!  Glad you found the .tax2023 file.  Whew.   Stick with the Desktop program.   It has more features and advantages over the Online version.   The Online web version is only good for one account and one return. You can log in and access your return from any computer. You only can see the forms after you pay and download the pdf. And you might need to upgrade to a higher version to enter different kinds of income. There are 3 Online versions. And you can add LIVE service or Full Service for expert help. In Online the fees are to prepare the federal and state returns (State is a separate charge) whether you efile or print and mail. Efiling is free and included.

Desktop also has many other features and advantages over the Online version. You can do more than 1 return. You can see and enter into the actual forms. It has a What-If worksheet. And you can use a lower version because all the Desktop versions have ALL the same forms. You just get more help in the higher versions. In online you have to upgrade to enter certain kinds of income. Like Premium for investments.

And the Desktop program is always available even after the year ends. Which is good if you ever need to amend your return after online website is closed or get audited and need your tax records.

Be sure to make frequent backups and save the .tax2023 file to an external location like a usb flash drive etc.

But if you want to switch to the Online version yes you can transfer from the Desktop program to Online.  When Online opens,  If you used the Desktop program last year here’s How to transfer into the Online version, expand the blue link if you used the CD/download last year........

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-...