Turbotax Deluxe 2021 Fails to Transfer Info From Prior Year

[gillcristmark]

I have been using Turbotax on my home computer to do my taxes for over 20 years.  In past years, when I install the new turbotax software it has no problem transferring info from my prior year tax return. This year, the turbotax deluxe 2021 software has failed to recognize any of my prior year tax returns.  This indicates to me a major bug in the 2021 turbotax software.

[Country Apple]

Did you tell TurboTax which directory to use to find the prior year’s returns?

[sandy4042]

This sounds basic, but did you tell TT that you were starting a new return?  I ask because only then did TT search my computer for last year's TT files.  Then in a drop down box it gave me a choice of which of last year's files I wanted to carry over data from.

[mesquitebean]

gillcristmark:

I assume you used the 2020 desktop software for your return last year.   Most importantly, are you sure you have the *.tax2020 data file from last year and know its location?

sandy4042 is correct above.  It doesn't perform the 2020 data transfer as part of the installation process.  After the program is fully launched and you arrive at the main screen, you have to actively start a new 2021 return first.   Maybe you did that, but we don't know for sure.

I don't know if you're using the Windows or Mac version.   This is what happens with the Windows version:

After installation, and once the TurboTax GUI opens to its main screen, and when you choose to start a new 2021 return, the software churns and searches through your computer for any *.tax2020 data files.  If it finds it, it displays a blue button "Transfer Return" to transfer-in the data (it may find more than 1 if you have more than 1.)    If it doesn't find it automatically, there is a Browse button in the lower left that brings up an Explorer file directory popup, where you can tell TurboTax where the *.tax2020 data file is located.

If the automatic search or the "Browse" method is not letting you transfer the *.tax2020 data file, you'd need to explain more about the roadblock you are encountering and whether or not you have the *.tax2020 data file on your computer.

[kjbrock]

I'm seeing the same transfer problem.

- I started a new return

- Found the .tax2020 file on my system

- Entered the password

- TT Home & Business said that it was from the previous year's TT, which is correct.

- Said it transfered data

But there was *nothing*.  Didn't even manage to transfer things like names.

[mesquitebean]

---

@kjbrock wrote:

I'm seeing the same transfer problem.

- I started a new return

- Found the .tax2020 file on my system

- Entered the password

- TT Home & Business said that it was from the previous year's TT, which is correct.

- Said it transfered data

But there was *nothing*.  Didn't even manage to transfer things like names.

---

If a password came into play during transfer, I'll assume you must have password-protected the *.tax2020 data file last year.   Are you using the Windows or Mac version of TurboTax?

When it searched for 2020 data files, did it only find one *.tax2020 data file?  If you have the 2020 desktop software still installed, can you open that same *.tax2020 data file in your 2020 software, and if so, does it have all the 2020 data intact?

Have you searched your entire system (and any external storage) to see if there is another data file.  I'd search on *.tax2020 and *.tax and maybe *.tax* extensions.    If you are using Windows, do you have more than one Windows user account?   If so, I'd search from within each one.

[budinfl]

This was not one of my problems, but good to know when I go looking for the last years entries that I saved in external drives.