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Turbotax deleted my return!

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
March 1, 2020
14 replies
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I had a 1040 all ready to file. I printed it and closed Turbotax, intending to file it later. When I tried to open it again, it was gone. There is no trace of it on my computer. What happened? How can I get it back?

Other

Best answer by Critter

When using the downloaded/CD version you are prompted to save the return everytime you close the return. You also have the option to save the return anytime you wish ... I always suggest you do so when you finish a section since only the online version autosaves automatically.

Program updates do not lose saved tax files ... do a system wide search for anything ending in *.tax if you did indeed save your progress at some point.

And if the update was to WIN 10 then those have a tendency to put things in the trash so look there as well.

M

MichelleLO

Level 15

Were you prompted to save your return before closing out of the program?

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B

budherreAuthor

Level 2

I honestly do not remember. The really strange thing is that when I went to the recycle bin and attempted to restore the deleted tax2019 files to the Turbotax folder they disappeared too! Would Turbotax have anything to do with that?

M

MichelleLO

Level 15

Did you by chance run a search for your .tax file? If not, you may want to try that. Please see Find your tax data file (.tax file) in Windows for more information.

If you are still unable to find it, please reach out to TurboTax Customer support via the Contact Us link below for further assistance:

https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

W

weagled

Level 2

I filed my return and saved it. Turbo tax deleted my return and and possibly replaced it .I have a pdf copy how do I restore it

Critter

Level 15

You cannot restore from a PDF ... but using the PDF you can rebuild the return.

And the TT program cannot delete any files since it doesn't house them ... they are stored in your hard drive. If you did an upgrade to WIN 10 that program sometimes hides files in the trash ... look thru your entire computer's hard drive.

This is my mini version of a tutorial that should be in the downloaded program:

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

>>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy:
1. Open your return in TurboTax.
2. From the File menu, choose Save As.
3. Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name).
4. Click Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

>> use the WHAT IF tool:
- Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view)
- Click on the Open Form Icon
- In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form
- You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form
- To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
Browse to where you want to save your backup.
- Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
Click Save and then close TurboTax.
Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

N

null111

Level 2

Same thing happened to me! I was almost finished and now I only get the option to start over. I have used TT for YEARS and now this will be my last time. I am not sure if it had to do with the 'CRITICAL' updates I was flagged to install before accessing it but in any case I HAVE LOST ALL MY HOURS OF WORK. Judging by the comments below, TT cannot fix it and is not admitting to any error on their part. Not a vendor I will work with going forward.

CritterAnswer

Level 15

When using the downloaded/CD version you are prompted to save the return everytime you close the return. You also have the option to save the return anytime you wish ... I always suggest you do so when you finish a section since only the online version autosaves automatically.

Program updates do not lose saved tax files ... do a system wide search for anything ending in *.tax if you did indeed save your progress at some point.

And if the update was to WIN 10 then those have a tendency to put things in the trash so look there as well.

M

mesquitebean

Level 15

I saved my return twice and even changed the name the second time. But opening either one just takes me to the welcome page as if all the information I entered is gone.

Please help!

@ KOinVA wrote:
I can see my saved return, but when I click on it and it opens, it has no saved information. It starts with the "Welcome" screen.

I saved my return twice and even changed the name the second time. But opening either one just takes me to the welcome page as if all the information I entered is gone.
Please help!

Are you using the Windows version or Mac?

Are your tax data files located on your main drive (recommended), or do you by any chance have them on a USB thumb drive or other external drive?

You should not be opening the tax data files by clicking on the *.tax2020 file. Instead, you should first open the TurboTax interface, and use the interface to open the tax data file ( if the shortcut icons are missing from the interface, see the steps below).

What are you referring to as the "Welcome page?" Are you referring to the main screen of the TurboTax program right after opening TurboTax, where you would normally have some large rectangular icons which are shortcuts to the tax data files? And instead of the icons for the started files, does it say "Hi, Welcome to TurboTax" and has a blue button "Begin?"

If so, your tax files may simply be disassociated from the interface.

What happens when you do this?

Close TurboTax.
Re-launch TurboTax.
If you're using the Windows version, at the main screen in the top left corner of the interface click on the FILE menu and in the dropdown choose Open Tax Return.
Then in the little Explorer window browse to the location of the saved *.tax2020 data file. Does it open normally and has your data?

If so, once you save it, then the rectangular icon shortcut should be back in the TurboTax main screen.

Carl

Level 11

Assuming you are using the CD version of TurboTax that you physically installed on your computer, it is absolutely impossible for anyone but you or someone with physical access to your computer to delete anything from your computer. It's also possible (and highly probable) that you did not save your return before closing the program.

With the CD version of TurboTax, your .tax2019 file is saved by default in the documents/turbotax directly unless you take physical action to change that location.

S

Silverfoxy

Level 2

It did the same to mine I tried to access my tax return this year that I already got payed for but it was missing and its asking me for another w-2 I don't understand this even if it's done they should keep it in thier systems

C

circeo35

Level 2

My return was just deleted. I spent over 20 hours entering my information and my computer rebooted and it was gone. I have never had this happen before. I hate this software after 20 plus years of using it. I will look for better options next year. You suck TurboTax!

Critter-3

Level 15

Ok... hate to tell you this but if you did not save the return before the program closed then the work is gone. When using the downloaded version it is your responsibility to save as you go either by manually asking for a save as you finish sections or when you close the program you will be prompted to save your progress. If the program was closed because of a reboot then you did not see the warning. If you save as you go then you don't have to worry about a program interruption ... worse you need to redo is the last section not the entire return.

This is my mini version of a tutorial that should be in the downloaded program:

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

>>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy:
1. Open your return in TurboTax.
2. From the File menu, choose Save As.
3. Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name).
4. Click Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

>> use the WHAT IF tool:
- Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view)
- Click on the Open Form Icon
- In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form
- You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form
- To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
Browse to where you want to save your backup.
- Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
Click Save and then close TurboTax.
Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

Always remember to shut off the auto update function once you have filed your returns and do not do any updates unless you have safeguarded the PDF & .taxfiles to a removable storage unit for safekeeping. Click on ONLINE then Update Preferences.... don't be afraid to click on all the menu headings to find all the goodies that are hiding.

A

Anonymous

So there is no solution for this other than to make sure you don't accept updates and check your Recycle folder?

I thought I was losing mind until I found multiple support threads with the exact same problem I experienced. I even have my email from TT on the efile status which proves that I actually did have a tax file at one time. I needed to amend the return but now I have to go collect all of my supporting docs again and re-enter everything. Seriously considering a lawsuit here.

For the so called 'experts' on this forum that have commented that this cannot happen, you are totally wrong. It has happened across multiple product lines (Business Tax in my case). Still stunned that this could happen at all and just angry that there seems to be no resolution for this.

Critter-3

Level 15

If you are using WIN 10 then make sure all updates are installed by rebooting the computer at least 3 times ... then open the program and search for any .tax2019 files to open ... make sure to look in the trash/recycle as WIN 10 has a habit of putting the file there and a search will not find them.

A

Anonymous

Not sure if a Windows update has anything to do with this since there are reported instances that have nothing to do with Windows updates. Since it was awhile between my initial filing and trying to retrieve the file to edit, I could have had at least one Windows update during that time since Windows 10 auto updates unless you tell it not to. But let's say that it does have something to do with Windows (I doubt this) - the problem has existed for at least two years. Intuit has not had time to work with Microsoft to get this fixed? Having your tax records deleted must not be an important issue for Intuit? This is borderline criminal.

P

Pilot747767

Level 2

I have used TT since 2010 and saved every return on my computer and external hd. When I installed TT2020 it erased all my previous tax returns and my two children's also. The program is still there but no returns. I'm having to type everything in from scratch and I cannot believe this. Does anyone know how to fix this? I tried everything in all the threads like forced search but nothing works. TT needs to address this **bleep** problem!

A

Anonymous

Did you try to search for your previously saved tax returns? See this FAQ on how to find your tax return file.

If that doesn't resolve your issue, please Contact us!

T

TTturbtax

Level 2

My answer is: You are screwed. Just like I am with my 2020 return. All the work is gone forever. **bleep** Turbotax!

N

nmagnet

Level 2

I have used TurboTax for so many years I cant even count them. When I bought my turbo tax for 2020, I noticed my 2019 file was deleted and I was not able to retrieve that year. I had my 2019 Tax Return so I knew I had that and would use that to help me get started on my 2020. However it was so crazy for this to be missing from my computer, I actually called the IRS and asked them to confirms that they had received my 2019 filing before I started my 2020 Tax's. Thankfully they had my taxes.

I came into my office this morning to file my taxes (Which I finished last week) and BAM--My completed taxes were no where on my computer. I Have read some of the comments from TurboTax and I am appalled. They are laughing at all of us.

M

mesquitebean

Level 15

@ nmagnet wrote:
I have used TurboTax for so many years I cant even count them. When I bought my turbo tax for 2020, I noticed my 2019 file was deleted and I was not able to retrieve that year. I had my 2019 Tax Return so I knew I had that and would use that to help me get started on my 2020. However it was so crazy for this to be missing from my computer, I actually called the IRS and asked them to confirms that they had received my 2019 filing before I started my 2020 Tax's. Thankfully they had my taxes.

I came into my office this morning to file my taxes (Which I finished last week) and BAM--My completed taxes were no where on my computer. I Have read some of the comments from TurboTax and I am appalled. They are laughing at all of us.

I assume you are using the desktop version (CD/download). Are you using the Windows version or the Mac version?

Be sure you check your entire system for any file ending in *.tax2020, and also check the Recycle Bin. I've seen a small number of users over the years report anecdotally that it moved it to the Recycle Bin after a TurboTax program update or a Windows update. If you have more than one Windows user account, log into each Windows user account and do the file search and Recycle Bin check from within each one. Also check any backup media that you might have used.

If your search happens to find a data file beginning with a tilde similar to this example: ~my2020return.tax2020, the tilde means it is a temporary backup file, but it can be opened like a regular tax data file.

Because of stories I see occasionally in this user forum, I personally make a backup copy of the *.tax2020 data file after each work session onto a thumb drive or other external storage--just in case of such a scenario. Then I at least have 2 instances of the data file in case of a hard drive crash or whatever.

You may get other comments in this thread. Or here's how to speak to TurboTax Customer Support to see if they have any further advice:

Hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern) 7 days/week.

You can use this contact form to get a phone number and incident number.
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact

K

kumstadter

Level 2

Updates DO delete your tax file. I had completed my return in March. Went back to it in April to do final check and was prompted for an update. The file is gone! I searched for .tax and also for all files created/modified on the same date as the pdf I made in March AND the day the update occurred.

How do I get my information from my pdf back into TurboTax. Your pdf import does not work either. I can send the file and you can re-enter?