If you downloaded the tax data file from the online edition, the data file can only be opened by the TurboTax software for the same tax year as the tax data file. The tax data file will have a file extension of .taxyyyy where yyyy is the tax year, eg .tax2018 for tax year 2018.
If you download the PDF of the online tax return that file can be opened by any compatible PDF viewer, such as Adobe Reader.
To access your current or prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the userID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/
Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and on the section Your tax returns & documents click on Show. Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)
Or exactly what are you trying to open? You don't need an app to open the program. Did you download the program and tying to install it?
Yes I did the download and the program is in my file explorer but when I try to open the program a Microsoft window comes up and wants me to use an app to open. I can't seem to get past that window.
If you have downloaded and installed the 2019 program then open the program to open the .tax2019 file ... do not try to open the file by clicking on it.
@alrule wrote:
Yes I did the download and the program is in my file explorer but when I try to open the program a Microsoft window comes up and wants me to use an app to open. I can't seem to get past that window.
If you downloaded the tax data file from the online edition, the data file can only be opened by the TurboTax software for the same tax year as the tax data file. The tax data file will have a file extension of .taxyyyy where yyyy is the tax year, eg .tax2018 for tax year 2018.
If you download the PDF of the online tax return that file can be opened by any compatible PDF viewer, such as Adobe Reader.
If you downloaded the TurboTax software the file extension is
.exe
and does not need any other app to open or install the program.
So.....What did you download?
I went to the email from Turbo Tax saying that my 2020 program was available. I hit the download button which copied a file to my file explorer. There is no program download like I would expect to see.
If you downloaded the Desktop program, then did you install it and enter the 14 digit License Code?
Find your Windows Desktop download
How to install Turbo Tax on Windows
the 2020 program is for the 2020 tax year. it can not open any other year's tax file.
FYI
2019 tax program lisc is 14 digits/characters
2020 tax program lisc is (supposedly) 16 digits/characters
I have the same problem. No one has helped me thus far. Did you receive a solution? Please share.
@twoxhockeymom You are posting to a thread that has not had any activity for over two years. What "same problem" do you have?
I have a confirmation number of a 2021 TurboTax purchase but can only access my File for an Extension page....not the full return. It is the exact same problem described by a previous post. I tried every solution that Intuit proposes. Custome support has not responded either.
@twoxhockeymom What TurboTax program did you purchase? Desktop or Online?
If desktop you have to download the 2021 software you purchased by signing onto your download account, assuming you requested download and not a CD - https://shopping.turbotax.intuit.com/unified/downloads?route=myaccounts&cgcview=downloads
If online, did you complete and file the tax return on or before October 17, 2022? You can download the PDF of the tax return you filed when you sign onto your online account.
If you did not complete and file the 2021 return then you will have to download the 2021 tax data file and then download the 2021 desktop software.
If you purchased the 2021 online edition you will have to contact TurboTax support so that they can push a desktop installation file to your download account at no charge. When contacting support use the key words Billing Issue
See this TurboTax support FAQ for contacting support - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632
Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax
Unfortunately, the online version will not give me the PDF version of my Prior year return. Unknown to me, I had my prior year return rejected. I need to be able to print and send this return to the state to resolve my issues.
Do you have the data file ending in .tax2022? If you have a .tax file and you can't find another download or CD you can buy a program for the last 3 years from Turbo Tax here....
http://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products.jsp
Or you could try the TaxPrinter service (not connected with Turbo Tax) to convert a .tax file to pdf at
No, I have been using the online versions. Do I now have to pay for the 2022 Turbo tax to read what I have already paid to have prepared and paid twice to have sent to the state without success. How do I get what I need to read this file. Or more curiously why is the PDF version not available online, and can that be resolved?
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 2023 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)
As long as I was in the correct Online account (And had entered some preliminary 2023 information to get the "Tax Home" to show up), I had no issue downloading the 2022 PDF file:
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