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Level 5
January 31, 2024
Question

New PC

  • January 31, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 18 views

I have used TurboTax the last 2 years. I recently purchased a new PC and I will be installing TurboTax by download. How could I bring forward the appropriate data from my 2022 tax return (done on my old PC) into my 2023 tax return? 

    2 replies

    VolvoGirl
    Level 15
    January 31, 2024

    You only need the file ending in .tax2022 to transfer into 2023.

     

    Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2017, .tax2018 or .tax2019 or .tax2020 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 to view or print your return in the future like to get a mortgage or loan, etc.

     

    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.  They only support the last 3 years so you might not be able to update older years or download any state programs you need.

     

    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

    Level 5
    January 31, 2024

    Thank you. It's that technical stuff I may have a problem with. But maybe it's not as difficult as it sounds.

    So once I do those steps, the 2023 return will pick up the proforma 2022 data, and I won't have to reenter names, SSNs, payer names, etc.?

    Step one - buy a flash drive!

    VolvoGirl
    Level 15
    January 31, 2024

    Yep.  Buy a flash drive and copy the .tax2022 file from the old computer.  It should be in your Documents then in a TurboTax folder.  Then copy it from the flash drive to the new computer C: drive.  

    SteamTrain
    Level 15
    January 31, 2024

    ,,,,,and repeating what @VolvoGirl indicated...Make sure you create PDF files from the years you have on your old computer...and transfer those PDFs too.

     

    If you eventually dump that old computer, you won't have access to those files if you need to see anything in them.   The PDF files can be read on any computer. 

     

    The .tax2022 datafile you need to transfer info from 2022 into the 2023 software is only readable by the TTX software.

    ____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*