So frustrated. How do I enter last years taxes into TirboTax?

[pixelrogue]

We have been TurboTax customers for years. Last year we had a number of unique situations that required a tax professional to assist with returns.

We are unable to get the results of TurboTax to match the filed return.

Before responding please do not provide an explanation of how or why TurboTax generates results. Simply because TurboTax generates returns base and field entries is not resolve pr address the fact that there is no way to actually manually enter a tax return from a previous year. 

[GeorgeDenseff]

You are correct.  TurboTax online is only for the current year.  If you want to enter a previous year's return, then you need to purchase the desktop version of that year and install it on a Windows or MAC computer.   Then type in your previous year data.

[pixelrogue]

Apologize of this was posted on the wrong forum even as i am making the selections for TurboTax Home and Business for Macintosh Desktop. 

[Spino]

All hope may not be lost!

First, if you have a copy of your return from last year, you can just type in the entries you need for this year. There are usually not that many.

Second, if your preparer gave you a pdf of your tax return, that can be read by TT in the input process, not just a tax file from TT. Also you can generally input files from most other tax software [marketed to the public.] Your preparer from last year might also be able to give you a tax file format that TT can accept, but they wouldn't normally do that unless you asked. Of course, the best time to ask is just before you pay them for the doing the return (last spring!)

[Critter-3]

If your entries in the interview mode is not getting you the same results as your preparer's return from last year then switch to the FORMS mode and make direct line entries ... use the override function if needed.  

[fanfare]

The only reason to bring TurboTax in line with what your paid preparer did is to carry forward certain 2020 deferred amounts to 2021 tax return.

The amount of work to align 2020 is at least ( or more than , considering the difficulty you see)  the amount of work to enter those amounts manually with TurboTax 2021.

If you did not have any carryforwards, it doesn't matter what you filed in 2020.

If you applied some refund to 2021 tax year, you can enter that yourself when you file.

[VolvoGirl]

@pixelrogue   Are you trying to recreate the 2020 return in the 2020 program?   Or trying to get 2020 into 2021 to start 2021? Do you have any files from the tax person?   Like a pdf?  There's really no way to manually add 2020 before you start 2021.  You just enter any 2020 info it needs as you go along.   

Even if you transfer from a pdf it only transfers limited info like just your name and address.   You really need a 2020 Turbo Tax tax file ending in .tax2020 to transfer into 2021.   

If you have or get the 2020 program you could transfer from 2019 and recreate 2020 to get the file to Transfer into 2021.

[Pixelrogue2]

Had to take a sabbatical from TurboTax for 2020 and back. Goal is to get the 2020 return into turbotax, matching the filed return from the tax professional...then back to normal for 2021 tax year. There are years worth of depreciation schedules, [product key removed]rds and the like that do not want disappearing. 

[Critter-3]

Buy and install a 2020 program to enter the CPA filed return the transfer from that .tax2020 file into 2021.

OR  simply enter the assets in the 2021 return when you get to that point. 

[Spino]

Sounds like a good plan! You got the CPA to figure out what to put, now just duplicate it in TT. You may find that you want to use the forms view a lot on the desktop product, as it might be difficult to match up with your accountant using the interview.

Personally I might check with the accountant to see if they can provide an importable file for TT, but given your situation they may not have put all your depreciation schedules in anyway. I would have tried to avoid that if I were them, unless they figured you would be a long term client. For one year it's not usually worth it.

Next time you might want to also look for an accountant who would just work with your TT file. It might not be any more expensive, and then you would have what you need to keep going.

[VolvoGirl]

As I said above if you used Turbo Tax for 2019 you can transfer that into a new 2020 return to bring forward the depreciation and everything, etc.   Do you have the 2019 file .tax2019?  Then do 2020 yourself seeing if you can match the CPA return or by overriding in the Forms mode.  Then you will have a .tax2020 file to transfer into 2021.    Even if it doesn't exactly match it might be good enough to bring over some items you need like  the depreciation.

[Pixelrogue2]

Yes, one can bring 2019 into 2020, and that brings the saved data to 2020 return…and that would be the presumed starting point.

No way to enter raw data in fields

Many fields in TT2020 (forms view) do not allow raw number input - please tell me i am wrong of how to access. Some do, some require raw number entry on a mini entry screen - ok fine, and others do not  allow at all. Had many an email and discussion with support in earlier this year where staff state it is not possible, only way is through the interview questions. 

Gap Year

Presuming raw form field data entry was successful, and presuming the 2020 return from CPA was accurate, would you think the 2021 TT return would be whole again with its year-to-year data transfers - the loss carry forward, depreciation etc?

——

To the person mentioning working with a CPA who works in/with TT, tried that for a few years. Hired someone from here who was/is a CPA.. side gig who was officially hired by Intuit, and he was relatively local if in person meeting were required. Seemed fine and well however was out of his league and suggested one who had more investment real estate experience. New search that started with TT compatibility yet needed to let go of that requirement..,passed through hohum folks/firm, fair number of shysters and finally located a buttoned up firm that we respect. 

That said, strong comfort factor in having all data in TurboTax data entry. Last year’s tax requirements were extreme and unlikely to repeat. Want to keep every year in TT regardless of year, who filed etc. 

[Spino]

Your decision is complicated. On the one hand, you felt you needed someone more capable to advise you about taxes. On the other hand, you want to maintain control yourself.

On the one hand, you know TT well enough to trust it; on the other hand you aren't sure you can get your data into TT in a way that replicates your accountant's work.

On the one hand, you've been willing at least twice to hire someone directly to work on your taxes. On the other hand, you keep coming back to TT.

Whatever you decide, you'll probably see the other side :-). Merry Christmas and all the best with your choices--and revisions of choices!

As someone who also frequently sees both sides, I like to remember a conclusion drawn while finishing out a basement: I can either do it myself or pay someone else to do it. Either way, mistakes will be made.