Unable to open 2018 file w TT2018. support had me uninstall & then reinstall w download file. Not opening, however, 2019 able to autopopulate. HELP. Can't file PPP appl

[VolvoGirl]

You have a .tax2018 File you are trying to open?  What happens?  Does the program start up ok?  Are you on Windows or Mac?  

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW TAX RETURN)

Then go to FILE -Open and find your return.

[scottjohnson277]

Hello,

    I am trying to open 2018 software, using windows 10. Everytime I try to open the program it states program is not found at the location. Have uninstalled program numerous times and reinstalled. Worked with customer service of for over 2 hours so far. They sent me code for downloading the software. I uninstalled previous version and then reinstalled. Did not work. Tried 2x. And yes, I turned off all my antivirus and firewall protection when I did reinstall.

    I am not sure why it is not able to open itself right after installing - I am not changing the default install location. The file itself seems fine, at least to the point that TurboTax 2019 is able to grab the previous years data to autopopulate fields.

   This is a huge headache for me. I have spent about 10 hours trying to fix this, myself, twice with Intuit support, plus hiring outside tech person. I have to get my profit loss statement in order to file for PPP loan. If I do not get it, I will have to close down my business. Asked IRS to send me copy of my return but they said it might take up to 3 months to get to me.

   Thanks for any help you can provide. My wife is about to divorce me for not submitting the loan application

[fanfare]

Did you try to change Windows Compatibility Property to "Windows 8"?

Reinstall with that setting.

[fanfare]

I also like the free Revo Uninstaller. Google it. Do a deep scan.

[fanfare]

OR you just have an old icon that is pointing to the wrong place.

[mesquitebean]

Did you install with Administrator privilege?  

Does your Windows 10 have multiple Windows user accounts?  If so, are you logged into the correct Windows user account to run the program?

Right-click on the 2018 TurboTax icon and choose Properties. 

Then choose the Compatibility tab.

Then scroll down and checkmark "Run this program as an Administrator."

Does that make any difference?

[pbrown7]

Have you tried opening your 2018 tax file (extension .tax2018) with your 2019 version of TurboTax? If I were going to do this, I would first make a copy of my 2018 file.  Make sure I save the original in a safe place and know which version is the original, and which is the copy.  Then I would try opening the .tax2018 copy with my 2019 TTax program. Not sure what you need to do when you open it. Just read some key information off of the 'as filed' copy? This might allow you to do that. If that did not work, the next thing I would do would be to try changing the extension of the 2018 COPY (NOT the original) from .tax2018 to  .tax2019 , and try opening that in my 2019 tax program. Doing that, would likely load your old tax form into the new 2019 versions of the IRS forms, but at least you might be able to navigate to the information you need to find?  You want to be very careful to keep the unaltered original version of your 2018 tax form, and be able to find it again later. And you would also need to be very careful not to confuse your 2018 form which you renamed to 2019, with your actual 2019 form. This is all risky. Be careful. I have no idea if this would work, or not. I have not tried/tested this idea.

[VolvoGirl]

You didn't save it as a pdf file when you were done?  Maybe you can use a friends or family computer to install it on.  If you have the CD you could even install it on a Mac and open the .tax2018 file.

You can check out Taxprinter to turn a .tax file into a pdf.

http://www.taxprinter.com

[scottjohnson277]

Good idea. I installed on my wife's mac. I am not  a mac person, but file seems to not open. But, at least I got further this time. I was able to install the full program and it did the update, so it is further than re-install process on my pc. again, not a mac person, but thing I notices is that the tax file I tried to access on a flash drive was less bold than other options, so maybe mac cannot read it?

   Thanks much for your suggestion!

[scottjohnson277]

Great idea. I used another uninstaller, but was pleased to see that your suggestion found a few additional links to delete. However, this did not solve the problem. Thanks much for your suggestion!

[scottjohnson277]

Not an icon issue. The program did not open after install, even though that option was selected. Thanks for your input!

[scottjohnson277]

Unfortunately, I cannot locate either the pdf or the hardcopy. I have both for all previous years, but not this one. Related to moving residences during time of corona...

[VolvoGirl]

On the Mac first copy the .tax2018 file to documents.  Don't open it from the flash drive.  And as I said above.....

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW TAX RETURN)

Then go to FILE -Open and find your return.

[scottjohnson277]

Yes, I did the update and state install. Will now try rest of your suggestion. Thanks for your help!