I have used TT for at least 20 years and thoroughly enjoy the application. One of the features I particularly appreciate is my ability to import data from the previous year’s return. Unfortunately, after purchasing and installing the 2022 Home and Business desktop (PC) version, I repeatedly receive an error message indicating that the import (from last year's PDF file) was unsuccessful. I have reached out to Intuit customer support team. As it turns out, the lady that I reached quickly realized that her knowledge related to using the program to deal with tax issues, and not what appears to be a serious technical issue with the application itself. After some time, she was able to contact another agent whose expertise apparently focused on such issues. Unfortunately, I quickly learned that I could not speak directly with the latter agent, nor could she even see my screen! The first agent had to act as a “middleman” and literally convey information back and forth to the other agent via chat. Despite these issues, the agent tried her hardest but the steps recommended by the other agent failed to resolve the program, raising my concern about needing to invest hours of work to manually input last’s years data. I was advised that the second agent had escalated the issue but to date I have not received any follow-up. I would note the following facts:
I have written the VP's of customer success and technical matters but have not yet heard back from them either. I am very concerned that I may have to spend many hours manually inputting last year's data. Might anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks
@ASF01 wrote:
Might anyone have any other suggestions?
In your post, you made several references to importing from a PDF.
Since you used TurboTax to prepare your 2021 return, you should have a .tax2021 file and that is the file that should be used to transfer your 2021 return into the 2022 program.
Do you have your .tax2021 file saved anywhere (on your computer or elsewhere)?
TT specifically states that when importing a previous year's return, "We support files from Turbotax (.tax2021 or .pdf), HR Block at home (.pdf) and TaxAct (.pdf)". As such, once my return is filed, I have typically uninstalled TT (for that year) as well as that year's .taxyear file. I would note that in the following year, after installing that year's TT program, I have always been able to import the previous year's date from the PDF created by TT. Unfortunately, as before, I did not save the .tax2021 file assuming that I would be able to once again import from the previous year's PDF as I had in the past.
As I noted in my initial post, I was hoping that I could get a copy of TT 2021 and see if the program from the same year might allow me to re-open the return directly from the PDF and then re-create the .tax2021 file. Unfortunately, it is only available for sale. As I mentioned, I wrote to several members of the Intuit executive team in hopes I might get a copy of that program so I could see if this alternative worked. I have not heard back from them.
The bottom line is the PDF has limited (very limited) data transfer capability. Generally, you will not get much more than very basic information imported, such as names, addresses, etc.
The statement on the initial page of TT that I included in my initial post certainly suggests otherwise. I will continue to look for the .tax2021 file. In addition, it will hope to get some further feedback following the "escalation" of my issue with Intuit support. Thanks for your reply.
@ASF01 wrote:
I will continue to look for the .tax2021 file.
I sincerely hope you are able to find that file as it will transfer virtually all of your 2021 data into your 2022 return.
The PDF is going to be relatively useless, unfortunately.
BTW, here's a page from TT support that also supports my understanding:
That page is somewhat misleading in the sense that it fails to convey the difference between transferring a PDF and a .tax file.
Yes you need to transfer from the actual data file ending in .tax2021. You should always save the .tax file each year and keep a backup copy on a flash drive or somewhere off your computer. You need it to transfer into the next year or if you ever need to amend a return.
And you've been transferring from the pdf each year? That would only transfer your basic info like name, address, ssn & AGI. Not the full return. I bet you were really transferring from the .tax file.
Oh, check your computer for all files ending in .tax2021. You might still have the temporary file. If you don't have the main .tax file you might have one that starts with a Tilde sign ~ like "~your name.tax2021". That file is if your computer crashes or your real file gets lost or deleted or corrupt so you can restore it.
Did you look at this Amazon FAQ? You might be able to download it again. I don't know how long they keep the files. Amazon how to download and install your software order
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G2CJPY7HHXBLMR5E
But if you don't have the .tax2021 the 2021 program won't help you. You would have to recreate your whole return over. Might as well do 2022 from scratch.
Again, I appreciate the reply and support. That said, as suggested by the TT support links I shared in my previous comments, I am pretty sure I have been importing the previous year's data from the PDF I create via TT after completing and filing my return.
I have checked my computer and can't find the .tax2021 file. I am using a new computer that I built, so any temporary files may have been lost. I will see if I can get another copy of the 2021 program from Amazon, but my initial search indicated that I had to re-purchase the program.
After nearly 20 years using TT, I was hoping I didn't have to start all over again.
I had an issue importing business information. Then I realized I had imported via the PDF. It did bring in some information, but it was very limited. I reloaded with the .tax2021 and had the previous years info available and many fields pre-filled. I had to re-do some work. So the PDF does import, but it's not very clear what is missing until you get to those areas. Good luck. I have a copy of 2021 if you can borrow it somehow.
FYI ... you do NOT need to use the HOME & BUSINESS version at all ... when using the downloaded version you can use the Deluxe if you need a state return ( Basic if you don't ) and the prior year .taxfile will transfer perfectly. So you can return the program that is giving you issues and buy the Deluxe download. If you did not safeguard your prior year .taxfiles for transferring then you will have to start from scratch.
This is my mini version of a tutorial that should be in the downloaded program:
Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."
If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.
Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.
If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….
Once you have filed successfully … you can shut off the auto updater function and then save the return & .taxfile.
For Windows, up in the top menu, you can set the "Updater Preferences" to "Always Ask" or more commonly set to "I don't have an internet connection" (even if you do), and then you are not forced to update....and can manually force an update when you choose to do so. And then you can open the file(s) at any time with no forced upgrade.
But that's the Windows software.....not a MAC. For a MAC you cannot turn off the auto updater HOWEVER you can simply disconnect from the internet before opening the tax return.
It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:
If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.
AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :
AND protect the files :
*** Other clues to the downloaded program ***
In the forms mode ... double click or right click on a box on a form to data source it ... sadly it doesn't work on all boxes.
When you look at an onscreen tax form using Forms Mode, you might wonder why one figure is blue and the one next to it is red or black.
These colors indicate the source of that data.
Color | Meaning |
Blue | You entered this data, either in the interview or Forms Mode. |
Black | The program entered this data or calculated this amount. |
Red | This data has either been overridden or is invalid (for example, a ZIP code that doesn't exist). |
Red italics | You marked this amount as estimated. |
Black italics | The program calculated this amount from an amount you marked as estimated. |
Purple | This information has supporting details. |
Aquamarine | This data was transferred over from last year. |
Green | This data was imported from Quicken or QuickBooks. |
Yellow fields (Windows) | Yellow fields allow user input. Anything you enter here shows up in blue. |
PRIOR YEAR USE OF A SUPPORTING DETAILS WORKSHEET :
If you find you have a $0 in an entry field that cannot be changed … this issue is almost always one in which you used a "Supporting Details" (SD) sheet in that field in the prior year. What happens is that when you transfer in the prior year's data, the SD sheet is transferred too, but empty...and that causes the $0 to show up in many areas of the Step-by-Step mode interview....wherever the SD sheet was used before.
But when switching to Forms Mode, when you try to enter a $$ amount in a field where the SD sheet is attached, the SD sheet will pop up immediately, and you can either enter the $$ amount on that sheet, or delete the SD sheet entirely and avoid future issues (unless you really want the SD sheet)
Sometimes, when you see the $0 in Step-by-Step, you can just
I am having the exact same issue (but with TT Premier) with not being able to import last year's TT pdf file. I also have used TT for over 20 years, and each year after filing I uninstall TT. The next year I install a newly purchased TT download and import the tax .pdf file info from the previous year. No issues the past 20 years in importing the previous year's tax info.
I called customer support, and the person had no tech knowledge and did the back and forth issue with someone in their tech department. The support person said she would call me back if we got disconnected. I was disconnected and no one has called me back.
I am extremely disappointed. I don't have time for poor product performance, AND this product (TT software) cannot be returned!
TurboTax will only import "personal data" from a PDF file. it will not import any information past the "My Info" screen. You need to be importing from the .tax2021 file. Not the PDF file.
I am having the exact same issue (but with TT Premier) with not being able to import last year's TT pdf file.
Again, you can not import anything beyond the "My Info" data from a PDF. You never could. You *need* to import from the .tax2021 file if you want to import everything.
TurboTax stores, by default, all tax data files any PDF's saved in the Documents directory and within the TurboTax folder.
A tax data file is created and updated every time you save the file, either when exiting the program or if you save the file by clicking on the File menu in the upper left of the desktop program screen and then click on either Save or Save as...
Actually, my review of the support session I had (which was very negative given the technical difficulties and lack of resolution) prompted a call back from a manager. She clearly stated that TT SHOULD definitely import a PDF file from the previous year. She promised to escalate the issue and assured me I would hear something back if the issue was resolved....Unfortunately, it's the "sound of silence"!!
Exactly the point I made and confirmed by the TT manager who f/u'd with me.
Yes. Even more disappointing was in addition to receiving no further f/u from the manager or technical support, two days ago I received a message from TT support advising that my case had been closed!
TurboTax will only import TRANSFER "personal data" from a PDF file. it will not import TRANSFER any information past the "My Info" screen. You need to be importing TRANSFERRING from the .tax2021 file. Not the PDF file.
If you have access to the prior year return and can get the PDF then you can also get the .taxfile... if you need help in that regard post what program you used for the 2021 return for instructions on how to get the correct file you need for transferring.
This has always been the situation and always will be and no amount of complaining will change this sitation. A PDF is only a picture of the return and not the working tax file. Trying to transfer from a PDF is like showing a picture of your injured pet to a VET and asking them to do surgery on them without actually touching them.