Desktop version, doing tax return for a family member

[Steven H1]

I'm trying to do a return on mydesk top TT, for a family member.  However, when I choose "new tax return" from the file menu, it begins to look for an existing tax file from the previous year, without knowing the name of the person who I'm doing the return for.  So, how could it ever find the previous tax file?  What am I doing wrong, or what do I need to do?  

Thanks in advance.

[xmasbaby0]

Have you prepared any returns for the family member in the past?  Do you have their 2023 tax file on your hard drive from last year?    If not, then just do not look for a tax file for them and start the return from scratch.    Or.....did your family member prepare their own return last year using online TT?   If so, you could ask for the account and user ID in order to transfer their 2023 return into 2024.

[VolvoGirl]

When it looks for the previous file from last year it should find all the 2023 files for everyone you did.   It doesn’t know the name yet.  It gets the name from the file you select to Transfer.   If their 2023 return is not on this computer you can Continue without transferring.

How did they do 2023?   If they used their computer they need to give you the file ending in .tax2023 so you can copy it to your computer using a flash drive.  Don’t transfer it directly from the flash drive, copy it to your hard drive first.   

[Steven H1]

Thank you for your response.  The previous year I used another popular tax preparation software.  So, there is no .tax2023 on the tax file from my relative.  I did 4 tax returns in tax year 2023, with the other tax software.  So, how does TT know which one I want to do this year?  Because TT will only take the pdf version of the tax file, they don't know which one I want.  I don't want to start from scratch as that's a lot of unnecessary work.  My previous tax software made it so easy.  TT seems to be a mistake for me, and I'll probably change back to other software next year.  Entering all information for 4 family members is a hassle that willing to do.  

[Steven H1]

Thanks for your response.  I used a different tax software last year, and because of the problem with TT not working as promised in regards to inputting previous years returns, I'll be switching back to the other software next year.  

[VolvoGirl]

If you only have the pdf of the prior year it only transfers very limited basic info like name, address, ssn and AGI.   Might as well start each return from scratch.  Sorry.   What program did you use last year?  But if you use Turbo Tax this year you will have all the files and info to transfer into 2025 Turbo Tax.   Otherwise if you go somewhere else next year you will probably have to start new again with them.   

[cwglindn]

I just switched to TurboTax after over 2 decades on another program because they never added state forms I needed, which also prevented me from efiling my state.

To create a new return: At the TOP Left, I selected FILE, then New Tax Return. Then it opened a window searching for the TT files.  When it came up empty, select the "Browse" button lower down in the window, then find last year's PDF file. 

I am doing taxes for several family members and it seemed to work fine. It had errors, so check it closely.  Mine had address, name, AGI wrong.  Not a big thing to check against the original PDF.

[VolvoGirl]

More info……

This is important.  If you do another return for someone else like your child and their name is the same or similar to yours then it might overwrite your return.  You have to save each return with different names so you can tell them apart.  Like if your name is John and your son is also named John it will save them with the same name so the second one will overwrite the first return.  Go to File-SaveAs and give it a unique name.

And be in the habit of saving Frequently!  When you are done save both the .tax data file and save it as a pdf file, go to File-Save to PDF.  Then you won’t need the program installed to view or print your return in the future.  Like if you need a copy to get a loan or something.  And save backups off of your computer like to a flash drive or burn a CD.

[Steven H1]

Thanks for your reply.  I used H & R Block last year.  I'll be using them again next year.  They can transfer tax data from TT, unlike TT which apparently doesn't transfer from Block.  It's such a time consuming process and horribly boring to start from scratch.  

[VolvoGirl]

You might be able to directly transfer from HR Block.   What do they have?  A .t23 file?

Open the section on Transferring from Turbo Tax Desktop for Windows, HR Block or TaxAct.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-y...

[Brenda211]

If you used the desktop version doing your own taxes , you need to log out , from your own account. Your family member should have his/her account sing in and sign out to avoid override and confusion with mixed information. The software should give a prompt to sign out , because maybe you are signed in with your account.