How can I transfer a TurboTax file from one desktop installation of TurboTax Premier to another desktop installation of TurboTax Premier with a different license?

[VolvoGirl]

Yes.  Just copy the file ending in .tax2022 to the other computer.  

For Windows. Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2020, .tax2021, .tax2022 etc. They should be in your Documents in a Turbo Tax folder. You should also have the pdf files of each year. Or search your computer for all files ending in .tax. Also if you haven't done it, I would open each year in the program and save it as a pdf file, go to FILE - SAVE TO PDF so you don't need the program installed to view your return.

What I would do on the old computer, is copy the whole Turbo Tax folder that is under your Documents. That should be where the .tax files and pdf files are stored. Also if you haven't done it, I would open each year in the program and save it as a pdf file, go to FILE - SAVE TO PDF so you don't need the program installed to view your return. Copy that folder to a flash drive or best yet is to burn it to a CD or DVD and then you will have a backup of them. Then on the new computer copy the folder (or files) from the flash drive to your Documents folder.

You only need the tax return data file ending in .tax2021 to transfer into 2022. You don't need to install older programs unless you need to amend or you didn't save the pdf file.

See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-compu...

After you get the program reinstalled the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW). Enter some basic information, then go to the state tab and download the state program. Then try to open your existing return, go to FILE - OPEN

[Kurt8]

The problem is my daughter-in-law wants to access the file using her TurboTax credentials and take ownership of the return on her computer.  Your method works if she uses my credentials.  I have no problem giving her my credentials, but I am not sure what problems that might create.

Also, she and my son have to file in 13 states.  So you are saying that they need to download the states before accessing the return?

[VolvoGirl]

What credentials?  All she needs is your file ending in .tax2022.  She should be able to open it in her program.  I don't understand why she can't open your return in her program.   What happens?  Re read my post above, especially the last paragraph.  

[VolvoGirl]

Only the states in your return.  She only gets 1 free state download.  Does she need 13????  Each additional state program is $40.  Plus state efile fees.  That's going to add up.  

[Kurt8]

$45/state last year.  And it does add up

[Kurt8]

When she logs in with her TurboTax credentials, she cannot access the return that was created with my return.  She needs to use my credentials.  TurboTax just confirmed this.

I wonder if she could create her 2022 file from my 2021 file.  Maybe it does need my credentials to do that.  This is such a complex return (13 states is just the tip of the iceberg) that we do not want to rekey everything.

[VolvoGirl]

What "credentials "??  You're not mixing up Turbo Tax Desktop and the Online version?  What happens when she opens her program and goes up to File - Open and browses to your file?  Are you both on Windows or Mac?  

[Kurt8]

Support confirmed that even in the desktop version we have credentials.  I did not know that until today.

[VolvoGirl]

I have moved my friend's return .tax file from her Mac Premier and opened it in my Windows Home & Business version.  By Credentials do you mean the 16 digit License Code?