2025 Tax Return Disappeared

[lseymour2011]

PC.  sorry

[mesquitebean]

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@lseymour2011 wrote:

My brother did my taxes using Turbo Tax and I uploaded that

If my taxes were done my logging in to my account online and saved them, where would they be?

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 I'm sorry I still don't understand what you did.    In order for someone to help you find your 2025 return, we have to know exactly how your 2025 return was prepared. 

When a return is prepared in desktop software, software is installed locally on the PC, and everything is done in that installed app without needing a browser, and the file is saved locally on one's computer, by default in the Documents\TurboTax folder. 

In contrast, preparing a return online requires logging into one's TurboTax account through a browser and answering all the questions and filling out the return online.  The return is saved in the online account, but can be downloaded when desired.

Please state explicitly if your 2025 return was prepared in an installed desktop app, or if it was prepared online in a browser? 

[ddunlap]

This is the answer I just received from an "employee tax expert"

Hello ddunlap   MarilynG1 (Employee Tax Expert) mentioned you in a post! Join the conversation below:

Re: Prior Year tax returns not showing on my turbo tax desktop file   TurboTax cannot delete returns prepared and stored on your computer.  Search your computer for .tax2024 files.  The default location is Documents > TurboTax.  You may find a back-up copy of your 2024 return there, with a 'tilde' sign in front. If you have the 2024 program, you could open it and re-save your 2024 return to your desktop, then transfer it into the 2025 program. @ddunlap  Turbo Tax is totally responsible for this disappearance of all the tax returns saved on my Mac computer. I have searched and searched, but are not there. So frustrating after using turbo Tax for over 20 years!

[ddunlap]

BS!!!

[oatmealraisincookies]

The same thing has happened to me and I wasted 2 days redoing what I already did.

[skimel]

So sorry to hear that.  I had the same issue to reinput all of my data - quite time consuming.  Turbo Tax does not even admit that they have a problem with their software even after so many people had this happen to them.

S. Kimel

[DB991]

I just got the 2025 update and likewise found my completed tax form has disappeared.   I run file history to an external flash drive (PC Win11) regularly so the .tax2025 file was there.  I'll probably rename a copy to .tax2025bs before I open TT again.   Because this is total bs. 

[DB991]

@CatinaT1 @MonikaK1 

You are aware at this point that this is not the issue, right?   The TT software has clearly created this problem that so many of us have been hit with.  It's not a user issue.

[Sraine]

The same thing just happened to me. I've saved and saved using the desktop version and now I have to start over!

[malexjones]

Yeap. Happened to me as well. Will re-enter instead of wasting more time searching for the lost .tax2025 file...

Unbelievable. This is the last year I'll use TurboTax.

[Dmwilliams2nd]

Should have checked before Tax day..... Just happened to me as well. All other years are still on my computer; 2025 has been completely erased. I've been a long time user but this will be my last year. It's one thing to have a problem/glitch and own up to it; it's another to keep posting the same "TurboTax can't delete your file" when there is evidence from multiple users in the community who are competent and and can indentify when something is not working as it should. 

[checksinthemail]

I just had the same experience. It's a new Mac and has very few files on it. Nowhere to hide a tax file. Tragic. 

The software froze and I was had to finally force quit. The return was gone without a trace. I've been using Turbotax for many years, but no more.

[martoon]

I had a similar issue. Mine is gone too and I need to start over. I was all finished and it was preparing the final return and the desktop app became unresponsive. So had to force quit the app. When I opened the app back up, no more tax return. I'm on a mac.

[DaveF1006]

Instead of starting over, search to see if the file saved into your return.  Here are some suggestions on how to look for your file on your Mac computer.

1. Search for the File Extension

TurboTax files have specific extensions based on the tax year. In Finder, click the Magnifying Glass (top right) or press Command + Space and search for:

1. .tax2025 (or whatever year you are filing) ~ (Search for the tilde symbol; TurboTax often creates a temp backup file that starts with this character, e.g., ~ReturnName.tax2025).

2. Check the Default Folder

By default, TurboTax for Mac saves files in your Documents folder. Manually navigate here in Finder:

1. Macintosh HD > Users > [Your Name] > Documents > TurboTax
2. Look for any file with the TurboTax icon. If you see one, double-click it directly rather than opening the app first.

3. Use "Open" instead of the Welcome Screen

Sometimes the app's "Recent Returns" dashboard glitches after a crash.

• Open TurboTax.
• Ignore the blank starting screen.
• Go to the top Mac Menu Bar and select File > Open.
• Navigate to your Documents folder to see if the file appears in the selection window

[ddunlap]

No matter how many times an "expert" tells me how to find a tax file, I have already done that many times. The past returns are not there!!! I made several phone calls with TT help. They could not help me. One example was an error on one form. The red mark was letting me know there was an. But it would not show me where the error was. Even the TT help person could not find it when looking at the return and that form. Click on form errors and it tells me that there is no error, but that red mark was still there. TT is okay as along as you just have a W-2 to file. If there are other conditions such as depreciation, etc. you are screwed because you have lost a year with all this information to carry forward. Then you have to try and figure it out on your own. Talk about a waste of time. I just wish TT would own up to their mistakes, but those returns are gone forever. Those were the only files I lost, nothing else is missing!