My turbo tax 2024 deluxe save file disappeared?

[pagebypage]

I'm using the desktop version, mac (not that that seems to matter as there are PC users here with the same issue). The files were saved in a file on my computer, but they all disappeared except the pdf files. I managed to recover two files from my backup drive, but the third one seems to be lost forever.

[pagebypage]

That makes some sense. We are filing three, and I was able to find two of the missing files in the backup drive, but not the third one. This is so crazy. When you close the program, in mac at least, you are prompted as to where to save it. So I always save it under Turbotaxfiles and a subfolder for the year (i.e. 2024 for this year). It has always worked...but even the 2023 files had to be searched out in the backup drive. Something happened with the latest TTax update that erased files.

[pagebypage]

I was able to recover my lost files with Time Machine, a mac program. I suppose if you have a PC, sob, I believe there are apps that can do the same thing. The file was still available in the dungeons of the hard drive. It found the lost file on the hard disc and also on the backup.

[Ejonesy]

Yup. Mine is gone too. I’ve been using this company for over 10 years. Similar story. Finished my return. Came back a few months later to file the return and it’s gone. Searched the whole C:\.  I’m done with this product. Switching to something else next year. 

[a_marier]

!!!SOLVED - EUREKA!!!!!

After 2 hours of searching, I finally found my files in my ... (rolldrum) PC admin account. It seems like Turbotax software decided on it's own to move my tt24 files from C:\Users\*myusername*\Documents\TurboImpôt to C:\Users\*adminaccount*\Documents\TurboImpôt without any kind of warning. 

The only thing I found was the shortcut to my original files in *recent files* pointing to C:\Users\*myusername*\Documents\TurboImpôt\2024\ but the folder was empty.

This is explaining why windows could not find them: 

-searches done thru my user account can't see admin files 

-windows file recovery showed no files, because no files were actually deleted, they were moved

-undelete thru recuva was unsuccessfull because the files were not deleted but moved

I have now setup a strong automated backup option (using mega.nz) to save all my files.

[apirzada]

Hi, when you ran Time Machine, what did you apply it to?  I tried applying it to an older version of TurboTax but I still wasn't able to see any of my 2024, 23, 22, or 21 files?  Do you apply it to Finder?  

[apirzada]

Based on all the previous comments and questions, I spent literally hours of trying to figure which backup location Turbotax threw my files into (several years of Turbotax files, including my recently accepted 2024 filings)  following it's update on my Macbook Pro.  Like many of you, I am no newbie to Turbotax (used it for about 15 years), computers (used 'em literally for over four decades), or memory storage/backups, etc. Long story short, I would never have thought that the update would literally round up hundreds of files (not just turbotax files) and put them carefully into my Trash Bin!!  That's where I found them. I felt a bit stupid (ok, very stupid, actually) that that was not the first place I should have looked.  I instead followed the crowd's comments and began digging everywhere else!!  That being said, what in the heck is going on with Turbotax that such weird glitches are throwing new and old files (and a bunch of other files on my computer) into the Trash bucket ?!?!  Ugh!!  Well, at least I got them back.  Lesson learned... back up everything, especially turbotax files.  Good luck.

[cottagecharm11]

The same thing happened to me today after an update to Turbo Tax  using my MacBook Air. I opened Turbo Tax 2023 to file an amendment to our 2023 tax return. I made the decision to do it while I was online and clicked "ok" to check for updates and installed them. I was not aware there was an issue with updates deleting an entire tax return off your computer. The 2023 return that I had already e-filed in 2024 was gone. I searched for .tax2023 to find the file that I needed and it was gone. All I have is the .pdf version and a printed copy.  I filled out the 1040X Form anyway using the 2023 software but could not file the amended form 1040X  electronically because the message popped up that I could not file the amended return electronically because I never filed my 2023 tax return electronically, NOT TRUE! I called Turbo Tax and they were no help. I was told there is nothing I can do and I must now mail it. This means instead of getting my $1323 refund in 3 months it will take over a year. THANKS TURBO TAX!!! I was using the Costco download version not the online version of Premier because I own rentals. Now I have lost the saved rental information and depreciation information for 2023 that should be saved for future needs. I am not sure how that will affect future tax returns. If we sell a rental and we will not have the information needed for the software to do the calculations correctly for capital gains or 1031 tax exchanges. 

[cottagecharm11]

I had the same experience as you with my 2023 Tax Return. Anyone reading this DO NOT DO AN UPDATE UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO LOSE YOUR TAX RETURN!!!

At the very least we should get a refund for the cost of the Turbo Tax software. Mine was the Premier version for Rentals. 

[mesquitebean]

@cottagecharm11  

Did you look in the Trash Bin to see if your files were placed there?   A user above reported he found his there.

I've gotten in the habit of saving a backup copy of the *.taxYYYY data file to a thumb drive after every working session as a "just in case" maneuver.  I've never had to use it since my primary data file has never disappeared after an update.  But having seen an occasional story here in the forum, I always back it up.

[cottagecharm11]

That is a good suggestion. I do have a back up hard drive, I will start doing a back up every year after I do my taxes like I planned to do. I actually bought the hard drive because of my fear of losing my tax information. I don't think I did one in 2023, but I will check to make sure. I have had it on my "to do list" for a long time :(

[cottagecharm11]

I haven't filed my nearly completed 2024 tax return I will get it on a thumb drive right now. These thing never seem to happen when you have a back up "just in case" copy. 

[cottagecharm11]

Yes,  I did check the trash bin and it was not there, after that I checked the entire hard drive too. Thanks for your help!