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Level 1
posted Mar 29, 2020 4:14:23 PM

TurboTax Can't Find Prior Year Return

And because of that, I can't access the depreciation schedules. Any ideas? 

0 20 12508
1 Best answer
Level 15
Mar 29, 2020 5:35:44 PM

Just saw your post you were able to download the .tax file?  From a Turbo Tax Online Account?  Which one?  For 2018 .tax2018 or 2019 .tax2019?  

 

Ok.  You can't transfer a .tax2018 into an existing 2019 return.  You would have to start a brand new 2019 return to transfer into.  Go up to File-New.

 

If you are trying to open a .tax file you need to use the same year program.  But The first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW).

 

 

20 Replies
Employee Tax Expert
Mar 29, 2020 4:28:14 PM

It could also be that you logged in with a different account than the one you used to file your tax return with last year. 

 

Please see the following link to help you determine if this may have been a possibility. 

 

Why didn't my information transfer over from last year 

Level 15
Mar 29, 2020 4:33:22 PM

Are you using the Desktop program?  Did you transfer from 2018?  You need the file ending in .tax2018 on your computer to transfer into 2019.  Are you trying to open your 2018 return in the 2018 program?

 

See if you have another .tax2018 file on your computer.  Or maybe last year you marked the Schedule C as FINAL in Turbo Tax?  

Level 1
Mar 29, 2020 4:55:27 PM

All the link did was bring up an option to purchase TurboTax, which I've already done. I did have a separate turbo tax login. I thought Intuit merged it with the Mint login. 

Level 1
Mar 29, 2020 4:56:46 PM

Thank you VG. I searched for the 2018 file on my computer. Nothing came up but the PDF. 

Level 15
Mar 29, 2020 5:03:47 PM

Here's an idea. Do you still have 2018 installed? Try opening the 2018 program and see if you can get your 2018 return to show up in it and if it is the right return. Go to FILE - OPEN. And see if your schedule C is in it and if it's marked as finally disposed. Or any Assets were disposed or sold.

 

Then save it again with a name and place you can find. Go to File - Save As. Then start a new 2019 return FILE-NEW and transfer from the saved 2018 file.

 

Last year that answers worked for this user - Thanks for the tip! I did go back to the 2017 return and found a box checked that indicated the business on the sched C had been disposed of. I unchecked the box, saved the 2017 file and re-imported. All is good! Thanks, again!

Level 1
Mar 29, 2020 5:06:33 PM

Found the answer in "help". TT does not transfer any information related to depreciation so it won't help me to transfer the info if I could. 

Level 15
Mar 29, 2020 5:10:30 PM

Where did you find that?  It transfers depreciation.  Mine always has.  

Level 1
Mar 29, 2020 5:17:53 PM

That's what I thought too, but in TT help it says no. I was able to download the .tx file, but it doesn't seem that I can open it or transfer the info into the return I've started.  Maybe I have to start over. 

Level 1
Mar 29, 2020 5:22:26 PM

Very last line … 



TurboTax Help
Intuit
posted
‎May 24, 2019 4:11 PM

last updated ‎March 23, 2020 5:49 AM

 

 

621 helpful votes
Transfer last year's return to 2019 TurboTax for Windows
TurboTax for Windows personal CD/Download desktop software will transfer last year's tax data file (.tax2018 file) or PDF from the 2018 TurboTax desktop or online software. It even transfers PDFs created in TaxACT or H&R Block tax prep software.
We'll transfer over 100 fields to help you get a head start on your return, including:
Names and other personal info
Social Security numbers
Addresses
Employer and business info
Income forms such as W-2s and 1099s
Credits and deductions
Refunds and tax owed amounts
Capital losses
Disallowed deductions
Credits carried over to subsequent years
Schedule TurboTax information
E-file signatures if you successfully e-filed last year
Be aware that TurboTax does not transfer information that requires complex calculations, like depreciation.

Level 15
Mar 29, 2020 5:27:25 PM

Yeah, that's what I thought.   That is if you transfer from a pdf or from another company.  The actual Turbo Tax  .tax2018 data file transfers everything.

Level 15
Mar 29, 2020 5:35:44 PM

Just saw your post you were able to download the .tax file?  From a Turbo Tax Online Account?  Which one?  For 2018 .tax2018 or 2019 .tax2019?  

 

Ok.  You can't transfer a .tax2018 into an existing 2019 return.  You would have to start a brand new 2019 return to transfer into.  Go up to File-New.

 

If you are trying to open a .tax file you need to use the same year program.  But The first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW).

 

 

Level 1
Mar 30, 2020 9:02:49 AM

Yep.  You're right. I had to start over. But it does look like the depreciation info transferred along with my personal info from the .2018tax file. Thanks, VolvoGirl. 

- SaabGuy

New Member
Jan 27, 2021 2:54:12 AM

Is it true that TurboTax keeps tax returns for 7 years (same as the IRS, I think)? I found the drop-down menu 'View documents from:' after I had logged into my account but it only went back to 2012. Are pre-2012 returns lost and gone forever as far as TurboTax is concerned?

Expert Alumni
Jan 27, 2021 7:52:00 AM

TurboTax Online products maintain tax returns in your TurboTax account for seven years.  To access these older years, you would have had to print out and/or scan older tax returns prior to the seven year expiration.

 

TurboTax Download products are stored locally on your computer.  You will find those tax returns on your computer hard drive(s) and are accessed through your computer operating system.

 

See this TurboTax Best Answer.

Returning Member
Mar 30, 2021 2:41:53 PM

Hi,

 

I lost all prior year Turbo Tax programs and returns . Does Turbo Tax save the 2019 tax returns in the cloud that I can access and roll into 2020?

Intuit Alumni
Mar 31, 2021 9:23:59 AM

No. TurboTax does not store them in the cloud. You are able to access prior years returns by contacting the IRS. Please visit the TurboTax Help article below for information on how to get a copy of your tax return from the IRS.

 

Can I get a copy of my tax return from the IRS?

New Member
Mar 8, 2023 11:07:27 AM

This is insane, when I login to my account, the only screen I see is file your taxes for this year. I do not see my previous year tax records, I have been filing my taxes with you since 2014!! Why you dont show me those records? And yes, I have used your premium services every year, which states I can view my tax records!!

Level 15
Mar 8, 2023 11:12:54 AM

@rohit_118 

To access your prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the User ID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

 

Start the 2022 online tax return by entering some personal information then click on Tax Home on the left side of the screen.

 

On the Tax Home webpage -

Scroll down to the section Your tax returns & documents.  Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)

 

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created.  TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

 

Or go to this IRS website for free federal tax return transcripts - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

For a fee of $43 you can get a complete federal tax return from the IRS by completing Form 4506 - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

New Member
Mar 8, 2023 12:34:02 PM

So we will have to start the 2022 tax return to see our previous year tax returns? what if I don't want to file with Turbo Tax this year, I have no option to download? 

Level 15
Mar 8, 2023 12:35:15 PM


@rohit_118 wrote:

So we will have to start the 2022 tax return to see our previous year tax returns? what if I don't want to file with Turbo Tax this year, I have no option to download? 


You only need to start a 2022 tax return.  There is no requirement that you have to use TurboTax to file the 2022 return.