I created 3 files on my MacBook with Turbotax Home & Business 2018, one for me and one for each of my sons. I can open their files no problem. Mine, on the other hand, is giving me this error message. I was nearly done with the return so I hope all that work isn't lost. Please advise.
I was able to fix this problem by shutting down my computer and turning it back on again. Then all of the files opened up as usual.
I have same message working on a completed 2019 return that just needed to submit... now I can't open or fix I 2019 return by restarting .. also have installed and reinstalled.. any ideas
This is a shot in the dark but when prompted for your password to open the return *instead of typing in your password try selecting "Forgot password" and answering the security question you had set up*
This solved a different issue for me but one that gave me the same error message. Not sure if this would work but it is worth a try...could be a weird glitch!
It depends.
As long as you have not mailed your federal or state returns in, you can do the following:
This will allow you to see your state return. (You do not need to actually add a state, but this will allow you to access your existing state return.)
You will then be able to try to electronically file your returns.
I tried restarting my computer (MacBook Air)—no good. This problem started when I installed one of your updates this morning—a few days ago I accessed my return with no problem.
Suggestions that involve the state return make no sense to me—I can’t access the one file that contains both my Federal and state returns. All Turbotax files for 2019 and earlier years are greyed out—I can’t touch them.
Come on, Turbotax! What have you done and how are you going to fix it??
Same issue. Tried to open my completed return to file today June 4 2020. Prompted for update and updated (no choice in the matter) and now none of my returns open. I have two that were completed and file on this Mac and this last one to be filled, also created on this Mac.
The generic advice of uninstall and re-install did not work. Please advise.
restarting does not fix issue. can't open any returns to do 2020 planning. will no longer be a turbotax customer.
if you have more than one tax year software installed then clicking on the tax file will try to open the wrong software. You must first start the application in the Application Folder for that year and once the software is running, use the top menu bar File -> Open Tax Return to locate the .tax20xx file the the proper (xx) year. Note that if the .tax file has a state return included you must first install the state software before it can be opened or you will get that message.
I tried all of the suggestions above (removing, reinstalling, restarting) and nothing worked. What finally worked was just starting a new return and then opening the file after that new return was started.
It "might" have something to do with having it stored on icloud and it had to re-download/re-open. When it was on-disk it had an "icloud" extension, which I think might be a compressed version and kept it from opening.
All just a guess ... but I finally got it open that way
Downloading from iCloud is what worked for me. For all my past documents.
I called TT twice and they had me delete program and reload (on Mac via download). That didn't work. I also shut down Mac, restarted and updated Mac software and that didn't help. I went to Finder, found the file that wouldn't open and right-clicked "open with" and selected TurboTax 2020 and the return opened!
We are so happy to hear you were able to open the tax file.
Answering the Security Question solved the problem for me. Now how does that make sense.
When you use desktop software, the tax files are saved to your computer. It sounds like you may have put password protection on the files or you have them stored to a cloud location possibly. But you don't need a TurboTax Online account or password to open tax files when using the desktop software. @johneye
Had the same issue - tried rebooting and several other suggestions - nothing worked.
I went into my iCloud documents, found my tax2021file selected it right clicked and said open with Turbo Tax 21 and it worked
None of these workarounds have worked for me... TWICE.
A few weeks ago, created my first .tax2021 file, came back the next week and TT2021 did some updates and refused to open my file. I started over. This weekend, same thing happened... TT2021 did some updates and voila... can't open my 99% complete tax document.
Intuit, STOP BREAKING THINGS WITH THE UPDATES.
How can I retain my work so far and continue where I left off?
When trying to open my return. The standard checking for updates windows all pop-up... and when they're done, I get the little square dialog box saying TT2021 couldn't open my file.
I just finished a full uninstall/re-install/re-register/re-download my state... and then tried to open my file again. Got the same error dialog box. This has happened TWICE, after each recent set of updates.
and yes... I followed the support article on how to fully uninstall.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/remove-uninstall-turbotax-for-mac/00/26050
The error message:
The document "2021 Tax Returns.tax2021" has the wrong tax year or some other issue that prevents us from opening it. Please make sure you have the right file and try again.
[OK]
No diagnostics as to what's wrong, nada... just a big "you're screwed, start over... again".
[edit]: still didn't like my return data file after remembering to re-download the state stuff too.
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Tried shutting down and restarting. No password protection; data on computer not cloud. Problem started after software update. Can open new file but that means starting all over again. Don't understand how a software update can corrupt an existing file to the extent that it cannot be opened yet allow a new tax file be opened. Calling [phone number removed] just doesn't connect to a human.
We need additional information to assist you further - You are commenting on an old thread that may have outdated information.
Are you getting the same specific error as the original poster?
I took a previous hint of going to Finder, searching for the turbo tax document and clicking on it and clicking on "open with" turbo tax. It worked, thank God. I could not imagine having to redo my entire return all over again.
Thank you rstellon21, your solution did (finally) resolve this issue for me.
THE SAD PART is that also I am confronting the same error message not only in 2019 but also 2018. WHY??? WHY TURBO TAX? you already make millions out of individual end users; isn't about time you make this easier, and protect our data-programs - as you already charged us for using? Serious, really! serious...