Transfer of information from TurboTax 2023 to TurboTax 2024

[marinchip]

My friend is trying to start his 2024 taxes but cannot get it to load his 2023 return data into his 2024.  He has logged on with the same identification, he can see the file (ending in .tax2023) but when he tries, he gets an error message:

Unfortunately we weren't able to transfer your information from the file to your current tax return. Please move the file to a different location and try again.

Suggestions appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[VolvoGirl]

Is he using the Desktop program?  Where is his .tax2023 file stored?  It should be on drive C in Documents in a Turbo Tax folder.  

[marinchip]

Many thanks for your reply.  Yes, I am using he desktop $49 version and my 2023 return is on my C drive; TurboTax folder.  I also tried making a small change to last year's return and saving it - hoping that would reestablish the correct path.  I also tried uninstalling the 2024 TurboTax and redownloading and installing.  I am quite befuddled as I have used TurboTax for decades and never run across this issue.  Not that it matters much, but I have a degree in accounting and am now a retired CFO, so I'm feeling quite sheepish about being unable to solve this problem myself.  I tried calling the helpline 3 times and the BOT could not grasp what my problem is.  I also tried searching the web with the exact language of the error message.  And tried searching inside TurboTax using their error message.

I find it peculiar that TurboTax does not provide context sensitive help within the program itself.  Having to go outside the software leaves a user to seek help via very circuitous efforts such as this.  It would seem much more straightforward if TurboTax had robust help linked to any active field in the software.

Any further suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

-Robert

[MarilynG1]

I am confused as to what you are doing.  When you say your friend 'signed in' with the same identification as last year, is he in TurboTax Online?  Once you install and activate TurboTax Desktop, you' don't have to Sign In, just 'start a new return.'  Then click on transfer and browse to the 2023 file location. 

 If he used TurboTax Online last year, his 2023 file should transfer automatically when he Signs In at TurboTax Online. If he want to transfer his 2023 online return to desktop, here's How to Transfer from TurboTax Online to TurboTax Desktop.

Then you say 'my return is on the C drive'; are you trying to transfer your 2023 return or his into TurboTax Desktop?  Here's more on Transferring a Prior Year Return and Troubleshooting TurboTax Desktop Issues.

@marinchip