All my turbo tax information is missing. Where did it all go?

[GWENCARA]

I need to know about my information online with the on for 2018 and 19

[mesquitebean]

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@ GWENCARA wrote:

I need to know about my information online with the on for 2018 and 19

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I'm not sure what that means, but if you are trying to find and access an account, you might have more than one.  Here's how to look for and regain access to your accounts.

You can have up to 5 accounts that use the same email address for notification purposes.  A User ID may be an email address, but it doesn't have to be.  It might be only part of an email address, or it can be anything at all.

To get a list of your User IDs and recover account access, you can use the tool at the link below.  When using the Account Recovery tool, try using your phone number first.   After that, if necessary, then run the tool on your email address(es) you can access.

NOTE: Before running the account recovery tool below, log out of all Intuit accounts including this user forum, or you might end up in a loop.  Then clear your browser Internet cache, close your browser, then reopen it, and go to the link below.  You may wish to copy this link so you can paste it into the new browser session.

https://myturbotax.intuit.com/account-recovery

If still no luck after running that on your phone number and email address(es) that you can access,  here's another method:

Go back to the tool again, but this time leave the data field blank, and choose the small blue link that says "Try something else", and it will look you up by SSN and other parameters.

[andreapacko]

Gwencara..... This is not me.

[Jwhitefour]

I have the same issue.  I just opened TT to look at some info from 2018 return.  It asked to update, and when I went to open my TT file it was gone!  My two kids files were there but mine were missing.  I checked the folder and 2018, 2017, 2016 were gone.  Only mine. The kids were all there and mine from 2013-2015 were there.  And not in the recycle bin either.

[Jwhitefour]

Disregard.  Found the file on an external drive with same path but different drive designation.  I had previous years of TT there and 2018 elsewhere. Weird.  Maybe has something to do with drive letters assigned to external drives?  I just plugged them back in recently.  In any case, I have my missing file.  👍🏻

[scottscabinets]

I have been reading through this thread. Nothing has worked including checking external drives. It happened before and we redid them so we were incredibly cautious about saving everything but every file is gone. This is incredibly frustrating.

[DawnC]

Which platform are you using?   Online or desktop?   

If you use the online version - you need to log into the same account you used to prepare your return(s).  If you are a using desktop version, your tax returns are wherever you saved them, either to a computer, flash drive, cloud location, etc.  

@scottscabinets

[caligal]

This just happened to me as well. First (and last) time TT user. Bought the software at Costco then downloaded it to the desktop. Spent hours and hours inputting data in March. Took a break and reopened app today after 2 month hiatus. App required critical upgrade which I did. Then couldn't find my return in progress. Searched entire drive including Recycle Bin, Over Drive account, and admin user accounting, following all advice in this thread. Still nothing. I can't believe what horrible software this is to delete my entire file, I am despondent.

[hholt]

Same thing just happened to me.  I finished my 2019 return and thank goodness had filed it but went back yesterday to make a correction and it is gone.  I bought the CD Home & Business version.  When I try to open it it askes for my license number and is treating me as if I am signing on to start a new return.  I luckily have a PDF copy but how do I make the correction to my return without having to enter everything all over and what is to prevent this from happening again.  I have used Turbo Tax for years and never had a problem before.  I did try to see if my 2018 is still intact but when I tried to open it it asked to update with a "critical update" which I did not do but also would not let me go beyond this point.  What do I do.

[Critter-3]

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?

[opitsb2018]

Not only did all my tax from 2018 disappear, where does Turbo Tax for 2019 get the information to fill in from 2018?  I have Home and Business and things don't add up.  I have the desktop version with a CD for a MAC.    I have searched everywhere for any back up but there are all blank from 2018, and I also back up on external harddrives.  I have figured out that if I am not connected to the internet, I can load it into a laptop that has never had Turbo Tax installed.  I am able to open just one backup but it is incomplete with little information.  When I did my 2019 taxes amounts didn't add up.  I didn't notice this until I was finalizing and the amount from last year's return was not right.  I always print up a copy of my return so I at least had that.  I am working on Capital Loss Carryover Worksheet which is wrong.  I don't know how to fix or delete. This is so frustrating.  One thing I know is I will always disconnect the internet before opening up Turbo Tax after filing.  

[Critter-3]

@macuser_22    Any thoughts ?

[macuser_22]

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/find-your-tax-data-file-in-mac/01/26206?search-...

You can only find the .tax2018 data file on the computer that is was saved.    The default is the Documents Folder but you can specify any location.

If backed up and you do not know the location they you probably need to use  special search techniques to search the backups for "*.tax2018"  (refer to the backup software instructions).

[jademaidgade]

That didn't work for me. I finished my federal taxed, never got an email confirmation it was accepted. And now all my tax information, EVERYTHING, because I WAS DONE, is gone. And I cannot even restart a new submission. It's ridiculous and frustrating 

[Critter-3]

It is not all gone ... the online system has shut down for the change to the 2020 program but you can still log in and look at the filing status.  If it is not accepted for processing then you can download the PDF to print, ink sign and mail in.

It's common to end up with multiple accounts. First LOG OUT of whatever TurboTax account you're logged into right now. Then use this TurboTax account recovery website to get a list of user ID's for an email address. Run the tool against any email addresses you may have used
https://myturbotax.intuit.com/account-recovery/

If you used the Desktop CD/Download program then the only copy is on your computer and not saved or stored online.

Sorry---you missed the October 15 deadline to start a 2019 return using online TurboTax.  You cannot use online now until it is time to start a new 2020 return.    And online will only be for a 2020 return--no earlier year.

To prepare and file a 2019 return:

Online preparation and e-filing for 2017, 2018 and 2019 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2017, 2018, or 2019 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline.  If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.

If you want to file for free you can fill out the forms by hand.  Here are some basic forms.....

Here is the 2019 1040 return

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf

or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors,

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s.pdf

2019 Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

2019 EIC and Tax Tables  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040tt.pdf

2019 Schedules 1-3

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s1.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s2.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s3.pdf

Don’t forget your state.  And you will have to print and mail your returns.  So be sure to attach copies of your W2s and any 1099s that have withholding on them.  You have to mail federal and state in separate envelopes because they go to different places.  Get a tracking number from the post office when you mail them for proof of filing.

You can finish using desktop software.  If you already paid your Online TurboTax fees you can get a download from customer support for free.

To call TurboTax customer support

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number

They are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time  Monday-Friday

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900990-how-do-i-file-a-prior-year-tax-return

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline.  If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.

So you don't need to start over from scratch ...  download the .taxfile from the online system now so you can open it in the downloaded program.