Build Turbo Tax return from federal filing

[epiciocc12]

My PC with last 2 years of Turbox Tax files went belly up.

I cannot recover my Turbo Tax Files or saved PDF's.

Is there anyway to basically reverse build my Turbo Tax files from my IRS filings?

Ed

[xmasbaby0]

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

[VolvoGirl]

I assume you don't have any backups or a printout of your tax returns?  You will have to do 2025 next year from scratch.    Other than transferring to next year is there a reason you need them?   Like do you have any carryovers or items like depreciation? 

You would have to install the programs again by downloading them from your online account.  Then manually enter everything into a new return.   If you do the oldest year first and it matches your filed return or comes out close you can transfer it into the next  year to start the next year return and so on.   If you get 2024 filled out  you can transfer it into next year.  

Did you use Turbo Tax before the last 2 years?  Do you have any older .taxyyyy or pdf files?  

[epiciocc12]

I have both pdf and tax file last one being 2021

[VolvoGirl]

Do you have the tax file ending in .tax2021?  Did you  use the Desktop programs or the Online versions?  The only thing you could do (but it would be a lot of work) is to transfer the 2021 tax file into the 2022 desktop program and fill out 2022.  Then transfer the 2022 tax file into the 2023 program and so on to get current.    If you used the Desktop programs you should be able to install them again, either from the CD or the download.  

[Mike9241]

2021 will not be of any help in doing Turbotax 2025. you'll need to start from scratch.  you should get at a transcript (or copy) for the missing years. 2024 may have info that needs to be entered on your 2025 return, the IRS only retains returns for 7 years after that they're permanently deleted. Turbotax only supports the app for 3 years prior to the current year. Currently 2021, with maybe an exception for a few earlier years, is the earliest year that can be opened with the app. after that they cannot be opened even if you have that year's app.

it's advisable to store a pdf copy of each year offline

[epiciocc12]

I have backups from previous years, ending 2023.  I never backed up 2024.

[xmasbaby0]

SAVE YOUR TAX RETURNS !

EVERY year before mid-October you should save a copy of your tax return as a pdf and print a copy of it for your records.  That way you will not be searching online frantically when you need it for a lender, FAFSA forms, your next tax return, etc. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/save-2021-turbo...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/save-2021-turbo...

In order to transfer a past year return to the new return you need the tax file

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/save-turbotax-o...

NOTE:  TurboTax and the IRS save returns for seven years.  Returns older than seven years are purged.