Upload Previous Tax Year Data

[stackman1]

I am using TurboTax Premium for the first time. Last year's taxes were done by an accountant. I have a digital copy of Federal and State Taxes. When I attempt to upload my 2023 Federal forms i receive the following error message: The selected file is NOT a previous year tax file or it is corrupted.

Well the file is certainly 2023 and should not be corrupt. What are the necessary parameters that TurboTax requires to upload data? Do i need to not use the .pdf file type? I need more clarity because if TurboTax can't even perform this tax I have serious questions about its capability?

[xmasbaby0]

You get very little from a pdf.   In order to transfer 2023 to 2024 you need the tax file  .tax2023

How to transfer last year’s return? 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-y...

[stackman1]

I am not sure what you mean when you say - 'You get very little from a pdf.' The pdf reflects all my 2023 tax data.  So TurboTax cannot handle a pdf? What is my option?

[stackman1]

i do appreciate your input but the link you supplied tells the client zero about what to do.

[xmasbaby0]

You were given a link that included three options.  Did you click them and read?

Again-----you will not get much from a pdf-----usually only some personal information like name, date of birth, SSN.    If you do not have the tax file, you are going to start from scratch.

[VolvoGirl]

Transferring from a pdf file is very limited and not worth doing.  The pdf only transfers basic info like your name, address, ssn and AGI.   You need to transfer from a Turbo Tax data file ending in .tax2023.   But since you didn’t use Turbo Tax you can’t do that.  You will have to enter any 2023 info manually as you go along if it asks for it.  

How to transfer into Turbo Tax Online, including from a pdf file or other software or from the Desktop program

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-...

[stackman1]

yes of course i read them. and i chose the one that applied.  it doesn't help at all. i am using a 1040. yes it is a pdf . Is this the problem????? do i need to change the file type .tax### or whatever. Turbotax just says it is corrupt - nothing more. 

Your link's third option (which applies) also states:

  "In certain situations, the program might not accept a PDF, such as when it's password protected, when it's a scan of a hard copy rather than an electronic PDF, or in certain other cases. If this happens, we'll guide you through typing in your info." 

I did not receive a prompt to 'type my info'.  

Is TurboTax not very robust?

[VolvoGirl]

When you fill out your tax return the program will guide you through typing the information.  Turbo Tax is very robust.  It just can’t transfer everything from a pfd.  There is no way to change a pdf into a .tax2023 data file, sorry.   About the only thing you can do is buy the 2023 Desktop program and enter 2023 from scratch to create a .tax2023 file.   You can use the Forms mode and directly enter the amounts to recreate 2023.  But I don’t think you want to do that.  

[xmasbaby0]

It sounds like you are trying to use a pdf----that is what you mentioned earlier in this thread.  

("Do I need to not use the .pdf file type?")

We are trying to explain to you that you will get little or nothing from a pdf ---- the data from your 2023 tax return is not going to transfer from a pdf.     If your accountant only gave you a pdf it is not going to be helpful.  So---you start basically from scratch with TurboTax and enter your data manually.

[stackman1]

Thanks to you and Volvo Girl for directly providing feedback. I can certainly work around it and will. This is the first year on my own after using professionals for years. I will be on the look out for the prompts to input dollar amounts like capital loss carryovers etc when i walk though the process.

However, I am now just curious (for curiosity reasons) what proprietary information TurboTax (and for that matter H&R Block etc) include/add in their 1040 files that my accountant did  not? Because the idea that a platform like TurboTax can't suck in a standard 1040 with a .pdf file still is pretty amazing.

Thanks for your help.

Peter

[VolvoGirl]

I would be surprised if anyone can.  Well it’s only for the first year.  Next year if you stay with Turbo Tax everything will transfer from 2024.