Missing 2019 tax data file after turbotax software updates were applied

[mbdd0]

4/14/2020 - I launched the 2019 turbotax business program on my Windows 10 PC. turbotax updates were applied. I wanted to open a return and continue where I left off. I clicked Continue a Tax Return,but no files were found! The turbotax file folder on my PC was empty. Did the turbotax update process delete the tax data file?

[csh2000cfj]

After upgrading TurboTax Deluxe this morning, I lost all my entries for 2019.  What gives?  

[jdsljones89]

Same thing just happened to me.  Opened Turbotax 2019 it asked to update I said yes.  once it restarted my tax file is missing.

[ljpstuff]

2019 TT Home & Business - started/nearly completed in January. Went to work on it last month and all data is gone. Sitting at $0 and wants everything entered from scratch.  This happened after I opened the software on my MacBook (purchased CD/download with license #) and then TT said I need to do an update to continue.  I have searched every possible place for the file. It does not exist that I can find. Please assist! 

[gpoebear]

Happened to me too! Thanks Turbo Tax. 

[mistyw]

Same thing happened here!  I thought I was going crazy until I found this thread. Grrrrrr....So many hours of work to redo!  TurboTax, this may have cost you some customers for next year!

[Shawn_D]

The same thing happened to me for on my Mac. As recently as last week I was able to work on my return just fine. Today I launched TurboTax 2019 to do a final review and file, but all my data has been lost. It seemed like it was starting over from the initial 2018 data import. I even tried restoring an older version of the tax return file from a  backup, but the data is still gone. 

[tvrichar]

This just happened to me as well. Any response from TurboTax?

[rsa14]

Days of work lost. Been using turbotax for past 8 years and this is obviously a MAJOR ISSUE.

I will be switching to different software next year, unless they somehow figure out how to restore - but if the update deleted my data, not sure how they can do that.

Honestly, this is so upsetting thinking of pursuing them.

[BillM223]

@rsa14

Have you tried a "brute force" search?

Do a Search on the entire C: drive (just for filenames, not file contents) for *.tax2019, if that is the drive you saved your tax files on before.

Let the Search run, it may take a bit depending on the number of files.

When your tax file is found, be very sure to note the exact directory that it is in - Windows uses a lot of User\ and My Notes and My Documents and other folders so that the tax file isn't always where you (or TurboTax) thinks it is.

Once you have the exact file location, you can click on File in TurboTax, then Open Tax Return and click on the hard to see link Find a Tax File. On the next screen, enter the full path and filename. 

Once you have pulled up your tax return this way, TurboTax should remember its location.

[rsa14]

Thanks.

I tried - even went to one drive and restored a ~ version from June - but all give me the error 102345.

it seems to Attempt to open the file for like 30s then I get the error message 

[VolvoGirl]

@BillM223   I've seen a lot of posts missing the .tax files after a program update.  This needs looking into. Please pass it up the line.

[BillM223]

Please see this TurboTax FAQ for error 102345 to see if it helps.

[BillM223]

@VolvoGirl 

Done.

[mtfarley1]

Same thing happened to my 2019 Premier for Windows tax files.  I cannot find them anywhere.  Hours of work gone.  Will look at tip at bottom of this thread.