Ongoing problem importing from Vanguard to TurboTax Deluxe Desktop 2024 on Windows 10

[UnderDuress2023]

TurboTax thinks there isn't any tax-related info to import right now.  Well TurboTax is off with the fairies because I am looking at my 1099 full of tax-related info!

The error message appears after I enter a valid account number and document ID taken off a recently downloaded Vanguard 1099 form.

I have asked Vanguard about this and no surprise they said they cannot fix anything broken inside TurboTax.

I have imported from Vanguard in the past and am feeling surprised, disappointed and very frustrated.

[BrittanyS]

Double check that the transaction limits have not been meet.  TurboTax Desktop has a limit of 10,000 of any combination of transactions and imports.  The import file size also is limited to 4MB.  If your file size or transaction numbers approaches these limits it is causing the system to time out and give the error.  If your transactions are close to this number enter the sales totals instead of individual sales.  If this does not correct your issue, try the troubleshooting in the link listed below:

• What is my 1099 import does not work?

[UnderDuress2023]

Interesting.  Do you know how to find out how many transactions are already in my copy of TurboTax? I would guess less than 1000.  

How can I know the size of the file-to-import since the import happens as a direct communication between Vanguard and TurboTax Desktop with zero status details?  Again, I doubt the file from Vanguard is more than 4MB, but how can I prove that?

I decided to wait until Feb 15 which is when Schwab says their data will be ready, and see what happens when I try to import from there.

Surely TurboTax could report at least an error code when a specific limit is reached, to help with all this.

Thank you very much for trying to help and if you have further answers, I am definitely interested.

[CatinaT1]

Here’s what we recommend for Vanguard:

First, the Primary owner of the brokerage account must be logged on to import the information. Then, make sure you have selected the Vanguard brokerage account and not the mutual funds account. Customers have found that when they click on the Vanguard icon in the Select financial institutions section, it didn't give a choice of brokerage or mutual funds. However when they typed in Vanguard instead of clicking on the icon, they did get a choice and were able to select brokerage.

To import from your Vanguard account, please follow the steps below:

1. Go to Federal > Wages & Income
2. Scroll down to the Retirement Plans and Social Security section and click Start next to IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R)
3. On the Choose your bank or brokerage page, click the Vanguard tile or type Vanguard in the search .
4. Then click Continue to begin the import process

[UnderDuress2023]

When I search the list of partners, only Vanguard (Brokerage) appears.  There is no other wrong choice to select.  So that is not the issue.

Is the import failing because I have a summary document from Vanguard, with 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC and 1099-B in the same consolidated PDF?  The summary document lists my account number and the document number.  The 1099 files have OMB numbers.  

The problem remains.

I do not even get to the part of being asked to login to Vanguard.

[tmeshelle]

Im having the exact same problem. I hope I can import later this month. Supposedly, Turbo Tax is suppose to tell you the date that you can import from the different institutions, however, I have yet to find that information.

[DaveF1006]

Here is some information to share regarding a recent Turbo Tax press release.

When will I be able to import my 1099?

[UnderDuress2023]

Problems remain on Feb 15.  NONE of my imports are working, not from Vanguard not Schwab. 

By the way, Schwab just advanced the date that their 1099s will be ready to Feb 28, 2025.

[MarilynG1 · Accepted solution]

Download a PDF copy of your consolidated 1099.  If it contains 1099-Int/Div, you can make a one-line entry for the totals in those sections for each Payer. 

Some users have reported successful imports by temporarily disabling all virus software (including modem).

Depending on the types of transactions you have, you can enter a summary in TurboTax Desktop, and may not need to mail anything.  The IRS has a copy of all your 1099's anyway.

You may need to enable third-party access in your Schwab account.  Here's more info on Issues Importing from Schwab.

@UnderDuress2023 

[UnderDuress2023]

Schwab will not import any data until after the date for that to-be-downloaded 1099 form, indicated inside the Schwab system - see my screenshot above which is from inside Schwab.  

I have given up on TurboTax Desktop imports this year.   I have tried at least 10 times in different ways.  Enough.

So, yesterday I typed everything in manually, except my Schwab numbers which have not been published by Schwab yet.

@MarilynG1 I will mark your reply as the best answer, not because the import task became possible but because you have written something true, that typing in the summary figures is the only way forward.  

[beejay926]

I feel your frustration!!  I cannot get any of my financial institutions (Vanguard, eTrade, M1 Finance) to import.  I'm using TurboTax Deluxe 2024 on a Windows 11 PC.  The only item I was able to import successfully was the W2 from my employer.  I've spent 2 days trying to figure this out.  My message is always the same, I get "THIS IMPORT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  INTERNAL SERVER ERROR."  That's what I get for Vanguard, eTrade, and M1 Finance.   At least 20 times now.  I even uninstalled TT2024 and reinstalled.  I went to eTrade and selected to share data with 3rd party and disconnected my VPN  (a recommendation I found), and nothing.  I buy TTax every year (20 years now) so I don't have to figure this particular financial stuff out, that TT imports what is needed and puts it in the right place.  I do mine and my kids.  Yes, I can put it in myself, but that's why I buy TT.   I buy it so it is easier on me, asks the right questions, and imports the info.  I have been so disappointed in it this year.  There were lots of glitches just finding where to download from (I buy from Amazon and it used to be easy), download process kept stalling, took three times to finally get it.  I thought it was a problem on my side, but now I think not. The Help is no help when I want to thoroughly understand a question being asked. I'm going to try to call TT Support since I've followed all other on-line help I could find.

[tmeshelle]

What you just wrote is exactly where I'm at. So frustrating.  Same number of years, versons, win 11, exactly what you said. If you figure it out, please post your solution. Good luck to both of us!

[oldtech]

I had the same problem on windows11. kept getting a captia error message. someone said they had success by disabling real time virus and threat protection. i went into security and temporarily turned real time off and it imported just fine. simple fix, customer service needs to know this. 

[beejay926]

Still - nothing will import; not Vanguard, eTrade, or M1 Finance.  Never had issues before, this version of TT has been pure frustration.  I'm on WIndows 11, PC with TT Deluxe.  Called Support the other day and they said, try again in 48 hours.  Well, still not working. 

[beejay926]

The reason I buy TurboTax is for the ability to IMPORT.  I have paper copies....I want the import function.  February 19th and still cannot get eTrade, M1Finance, or Vanguard Brokerage to import.