All my turbo tax information is missing. Where did it all go?

[Critter-3]

@Kim1101 

No what ???  

[Kim1101]

No....I am not logging with a different user

[Numburrs]

I installed my Turbotax 2020 DVD Windows 10 ver and did 3 returns.  The next morning after exiting and restarting the program I could not find my files.  What a sinking feeling!  I searched using file explorer with no luck although "Recent" short cuts  were there.  They were not in Recycle Bin either.

When you install the program I recall it asks for Admin rights.  So I logged off my account that I WAS in when I installed the program and logged in as administrator.  I started TurboTax under the Admin account and my files were there.  In the C:\Users\Admin\Documents folder.  I NEVER USE THIS ACCOUNT!

I exited the program and account and went back in using my normal user ID.  I then restarted the program by Right-Clicking the icon and selecting Run as Administrator.    The files were there...made my day.  I opened them and did a "Save As" to the file folder that has all my past returns and matches the User ID I was in when I set it up. 

In short TurboTax is saving them in the default C:Drive Admin account document folder and if you are not starting as an Administrator they are invisible.  Hope this helps. 

[VolvoGirl]

Thanks for posting the detailed steps.  Hope it helps someone else!

[geraniums9999]

Actually for  Turbo Tax does require you to do updates or it won't open the file, in our experience over many many years. We download the disk.

Today: Turbo Tax just wiped out ALL  of our data from our 2018 return when I was started looking at the using their Amend a Return Process.There was no prior warning. I selected the option to NOT SAVE the changes so I will be on the phone with them this morning. There should be red flags all over the place. We have a backup. What a mess. They require more and more work every year on our part.

Also the 2017 year was entirely glitchy for saving and opening. We realized that again yesterday when we needed to check som data.

I read that the IRS now has a free site where you can access some or more of your returns if you set up an  

account. It's not the return but apparently has data from most forms. I will have to look at that.

Can't recommend Turbo Tax anymore.They need pop up windows for some things and some of their

questions don't cover all the possible options so they were on my list to call today anyway. 

[andrewwpeters]

It's Dec 2021 and I can't find my files.

[Critter-3]

@andrewwpeters 

What exactly are you looking for ? Prior year tax files or the programming ?  Which tax year ?  Are you looking online ?   Or on your computer ? 

[andrewwpeters]

online. I logged out and back in again and now it recognizes me.

But for the past 2 months it did not.

[mchaska]

All my files back to 2001 are missing

[TiffanyL]

Can you try to manually update the software you are using, using the FAQ link provided below? After doing the update, you should be able to see all your files. Please respond back if this does not clarify or help you with your concern:

Manually Update TurboTax for Windows Software (Basic, Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business)

@mchaska

[mchaska]

tried the same thing - didn't work

[mchaska]

PC computer

[xmasbaby0]

@mchaska If you have been using online TurboTax, your files are saved for seven years.   Your returns going all the way back to 2001 are no longer stored online.   TurboTax and the IRS save returns for seven years.

If you cannot find your online account:

Many people have multiple TT accounts and forget how to access them.  Log out of the account you are in now.

Account recovery

https://myturbotax.intuit.com/account-recovery/

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901535-forgot-your-turbotax-online-user-id-or-password

Or did you use the desktop version of TurboTax?  If so, the files are on your own hard drive or any backup device you used like a flash drive.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901486-how-many-turbotax-accounts-do-i-have

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901535

If you have been using the CD/download then the files are only stored on your own hard drive or any back up device(s) you used.   But it seems unlikely you have been using the same computer since 2001 (!).   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901659-find-your-tax-data-file-in-mac

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900721-find-your-tax-data-file-tax-file-in-windows

[MichelleLO]

Have you recently updated your operating system to Windows 11? 

Also, can you please specify what happened differently this year from prior years?

@mchaska

[lemmoth]

Hi - when you say "we can tell you how to find it" if you filed using the online version, how can I reach you.

I started my return finished about 90% before it became unavailable.  I downloaded and opened the in computer version and of course could 't find the partially completed return.