The error message is "The document 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."

[janegk]

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.

[janegk]

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.

[Mcporter1]

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

[brianpclancy]

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!

[JotikaT2]

It depends.

As long as you have not mailed your federal or state returns in, you can do the following:

1. Sign in to TurboTax. 
2. You should be able to see Your Tax Returns & documents  
3. Select show here. 
4. Select 2019
5. Select Add a state

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. 

[cyoungblood1]

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??

[unhappy_customer]

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.

[twrhigh5]

restarting does not fix issue.  can't open any returns to do 2020 planning.  will no longer be a turbotax customer. 

[macuser_22]

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.

[mssturgeon]

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

[OregonCorkDork]

Downloading from iCloud is what worked for me. For all my past documents. 

[rstellon21]

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!  

[KatrinaLO]

We are so happy to hear you were able to open the tax file. 

[johneye]

Answering the Security Question solved the problem for me.    Now how does that make sense.

[DawnC]

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