Cannot save tax file

[Mollytheblindcat94]

I have also had this problem each year since 2019 and have used the answers given here to solve the problem, but always forgot I needed to change things until most of my info was typed in and I had to do it all over again. Did it again this year, but saved the file to a flash drive. This at least saved all that work I had done before making the necessary changes. It is only a temp solution but has saved me some frustration. Thanks to everyone for your help.

[Dominic_Tang]

Did you try "preview" then "save as" in your pdf reader?

[Cass0317]

Please see the community post instructions on how to save your tax return here and also the TurboTax FAQ's below depending on which version you are using:

• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?
• How do I save my TurboTax Online return as a tax data file?
• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Mac?

@Mollytheblindcat94

[EricPerl]

@f8Reeder21 , the solution is in a post from Carl a few messages up from yours...

[samW1]

try save to a flash drive

[Liz324]

Thank you so much, Fran!  I am on Windows10 and had this exact problem using Save As to transfer my prior year's 2020 return to Turbo Tax 2021. What a nightmare! But your steps worked perfectly. Thank you so much for saving me hours of time retyping in data. TurboTax really needs to fix this or document this problem much more widely.

[Liz324]

Thanks, Carl. I was able to follow your instructions.

Just note that in Windows10 as of 3/23/2022, typing "Controlled Folder Access" in the search box comes up with no results! Go figure. You have to navigate to that area of Windows10 Settings the long way. (I was able to do that after reading Fran's recommended steps for this fix.)

[Cidftwayne]

I had a security setting turned on to prevent any files from being modified.  Changing the setting allowed me to update files

[EricPerl]

@Liz324 , even just typing "controlled" either in the search box by the start button, or in the settings app (as Carl mentioned) was sufficient for "Controlled Folder Access" to show up in the results list...

[Terri W]

I tried those steps and turbo tax was not in the Controlled access folder.  Are there any other reasons I get the error message: "C\users\TurboTax\my nameForm1040 Individual Tax Return.tax2021

File not found.

Check the file name and find again."

Is there anything else to try?

[CarissaM]

If you are still having issues, please click here to contact us by phone so we can better assist you. @Terri W

[EricPerl]

Hi @Terri W ,

Controlled folders could get in the way if the folder where you are trying to save your file is in the list of folders configured in Windows as controlled. By default, it seems to include standard locations under your profile (e.g. C:\Users\<your username>\Documents).

The location of TurboTax is irrelevant.

In the block history of "controlled folder access" you find entries like this:

Here I tried to save in a Taxes folder under Documents (which is controlled).

You can add an exception for the blocked app (TurboTax.exe) by using the action button (not displayed because I've done it already).

C:\users\TurboTax\my nameForm1040 Individual Tax Return.tax2021 is a weird name because TurboTax is unlikely a username on your machine and you probably don't have the right to create such folder under C:\Users

[billmnlite]

That was a great fix!  Easy to follow.  And still works on issue with TT2021.

[PJHowe]

This worked for me for 2022. Thank you.

[Bsch4477]

Worked like a charm oy TurboTax 2022. First time this happened to me. Thanks so much!