how do I save my 2017 taxes as a .tax file, on a PC?

[pdxmaven]

Apparently I need to have saved (or now go and save) my 2017 taxes (done with Turbo Tax, on my PC) as a .tax file, in order for them to be transferred into my 2018 Turbo Taxes.  I saw instructions for saving the 2018 taxes that way, but can't figure out how to do it for my 2017 taxes. 

[VolvoGirl]

The only way is from the 2017 program.  Do you still have 2017 installed?  Try opening 2017 program and see if you can get your 2017 return to show up in it.  Go to FILE - OPEN.  Then save it again with a name and place you can find.  Go to File - Save As.

The .tax2017 data file should be in your Documents then in a Turbo Tax folder.  Or search your whole computer for all files ending in .tax or .tax2017.  And check your Recycle Bin.  Are you on Windows 10?  That can move files to different spots like to One Drive.  Or to Drop Box.  Check your backups.  Could it be under a different user on your computer?   

[DoninGA]

If you used the TurboTax desktop editions for 2017 to complete and file the 2017 tax return then the 2017 tax data file will already be on the computer where you installed the 2017 TurboTax software.  The 2017 tax data file has a file extension of .tax2017 and by default is stored in the Documents directory and in the TurboTax folder.

If you cannot find the 2017 tax data file then start the 2017 TurboTax program.  Continue the tax return and then click on the File menu at the top left of the program screen.  Click on Save.  The tax data for 2017 is now saved on the computer hard drive in the TurboTax folder.

[pdxmaven]

thanks for the speedy reply, VolvoGirl!

I DO have the data from the 2017 program in my computer.

And also the disk.

I went in My Documents and searched for .tax2017 and nothing could be found.

However, I can see the 2017 taxes right there, in an icon on my desktop. And when I click on it, the file opens, with all my data in it. 

It just isn't transferring into my 2018 Turbo Tax

[VolvoGirl]

Did you try my steps?  Try saving it again with another name as I said above.

[Anonymous]

the first thing you have to do when starting your 2018 return is transfer the data from the 2017 return.  it can not be done later.    a window should pop up showing the 2017 returns on your computer.  if you see nothing you can use the browse button.   but if you need the browse step first determine where the file is on your computer. 

[pdxmaven]

I followed VolvoGirls instructions and saved my 2017 taxes as a .tax2017 file, via SaveAs

And then I opened a NEW 2018 tax file (ignoring the one that I had started using to get my extension, which did not contain the 2017 data), and now everything is transferring. 

VERY annoying that TurboTax did not alert me that things were not transferring before I was a ways down the road.

[pdxmaven]

Thanks HACKITOFF.......   the screen showing the 2017 files transferring did not show up and I did not notice that that step was missing.  Seems to me Turbo Tax should have an ALERT about this, which I told them. 

thanks for your input.

I'll remember this from now on!