IMPORTANT TIP: Importing Last Year's .tax file might not work

[ozzer]

I just spent 1.5 hours on the phone with Intuit Tier 2 support to address something I've done easily for nearly 30 years:  import last year's tax file into the 2024 Deluxe version.  Why didn't it work?  Apparently because I had my .tax2023 file stored here:  C:\Users\xxxx\TurboTax\2023.  You know...the same folder as every other year (aside from the year of the folder name).  I'm running Windows 11 (as many of us will be this year).
Anyway, after 90 minutes, what finally worked was:

1. Copying my .tax2023 file onto the Desktop
2. Importing that file

Why?  No clear reason, but I have a theory:  OneDrive (which I have disabled on my computer, because there's no way in hell I'm going to back up my tax returns or anything else to potentially unsecure cloud storage).
I hope this tip helps someone else.  Better yet:  fix this bug, Intuit.

[DoninGA]

That is strange for where the tax data file was located.

I have a Windows 11 laptop and have used TurboTax on the PC since tax year 2021.  All of the tax data files for every tax year are in the TurboTax folder within the Documents directory.

As such had no problem transferring the 2023 tax data file to a new 2024 tax return after installing the 2024 TurboTax software on this laptop.

[ozzer]

I'm glad you didn't run into this.  Here's the thing:  there's a Browse button, so you should be able to browse anywhere to find the file.  Browsing didn't work until it was placed on the desktop.

[beebee5020]

@ Thank you for this information.  I was thinking of just copying my Turbo Tax history file to my brand-new windows 11 Dell desktop (when Turbo Tax 2025 becomes available, I'm an Advantage member for 18 years).  I really think how you did it will work.  Could not get ANY Turbo Tax support.  18 years with TT and I feel so rejected.  We don't even get a price break!  If it wasn't for their program, I would have gotten a competitor's brand.  Technical help needs lots of work.

[VolvoGirl]

@beebee5020   Do you still have the old computer? Your tax files end in .tax or starting in 2008, .tax2008, .tax2021, .tax2022, .tax2023 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.

Since you now have to log into an Intuit Account when you first install it, all your downloads and licenses are listed there (even if you bought it from somewhere else) so if you need to install it again or install on another computer, even on the other operating system (Windows, Mac) you can download it again here,
https://accounts.intuit.com/app/account-manager/productsBilling/turbotax

For Windows…..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 .tax2023 to transfer into 2024 or .tax2024 to transfer into next year. You can't transfer the programs. They have to be installed from the CD or Download. You don't need to install older programs unless you need to amend or you didn't save the pdf file. And they only support the last 3 years. If you install an older year you won't be able to update it or download any state programs, so you won't be able to open your return.

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...

[ozzer]

You only need the tax return data file ending in .tax2023 to transfer into 2024 or .tax2024 to transfer into next year.

MAYBE, BUT PERHAPS NOT AS STRAIGHTFORWARD AS IT SHOULD BE.  I suggest you reread the original post that explains how this simple import process that I used for over  20 years went sideways and didn't work until a copy of the .tax2023 file was placed on my desktop.

[beebee5020]

Thank you, @VolvoGirl.  I knew what you were saying, and this would be my initial attempt at getting the previous tax year information loaded.  My NEW windows 11 computer is really finicky.  I wanted an alternative method (THANK YOU @ozzer!) in case I have trouble accessing my TT 2024 history after loading TT 2025 on my NEW windows 11 computer.

[Mike9241]

my computer has both w10 and recently installed w11 drives. I just installed Turbotax 2024 desktop on the W11. it did require an additional step to install Visual C+ 2022 - done automatically after the app asks for permission (turbotax will not run without this). I opened my tax 2024 file on the w10 drive from the app on the w11 drive with no problems.  however, every computer configuration is different. as a note you won't be able to open the xxx.tax2024 file on the w11 unless you install the 2024 desktop app. the workaround would be to save the return as a pdf. then copy it to the W11