How do I remove the password from a tax return when I use TT Deluxe 2016 on my Windows PC?

[mesquitebean]

What year tax data file do you wish to remove the password for?    The 2016 product can only remove the password for a 2016 return.

[tax_payer]

I apologize for your confusion. The 2016 TY.

[mesquitebean]

Are you able to open the return?  i.e., do you know the password and can open it?

[tax_payer]

Sorry; yes i know the password and can open the return.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

To remove a password from a *.tax2016 data file, follow these steps.

• Launch your TurboTax program, and open the 2016 return.
• Once the return is open, click in the top left corner on the FILE menu and in the dropdown menu choose PASSWORD.
• In the password popup, click the REMOVE PASSWORD button.
  

[kmcdan1]

There is no remove password button

[mesquitebean]

kmcdan1:
What OS are you using?  I've added a screen image above, which is for the Windows version.  I don't use a Mac.    With a Mac, I believe you click on the FILE menu, then choose Encrypt.

[mesquitebean]

@ kmcdan1  
Are you using Windows XP by any chance and referring to a 2015 data file?   If so, are you seeing any message about Windows XP in the popup password box?    2015 Windows XP users were required to use password protection.   if that's your circumstance, I'll explain that more and what to do.

And please confirm if you asking about a data file that was protected with 2016 TurboTax or with 2015 TurboTax.

[wislaughlin]

This is another user. My client has a MAC and was able to use Encrypt under File for  password removal.

[mesquitebean]

Thanks for reporting your experience in doing that with a MAC.

If it's a 2015 XP-password-protected data file, the password can be removed with 2015 software installed on either a PC using Windows 7 or higher, or by using a MAC probably with OS X 10.9 or higher.

[mareich49]

Thanks so much for the Mac response!  That works on the TT2020 data file also, and I've been hunting for a solution to remove the password for months.