What's the actual point of saving your 2024 file if your using the online version if you can't reimport it?
I wanted to try something, so I saved the file, made the change and when I went to what I thought was a restore (Import your previous tax return), I quickly realized it cleared all my info before telling me that no I can't import a current tax year online.
What's the point? Is there an actual way to import my 2024 backup or am I screwed to start over from scratch? What a terrible UI
What did you save? The .tax2024 tax file? Sorry you can’t do what you wanted. Online is only good for 1 return. Any changes will overwrite it. You can’t restore from your computer. That is only possible if you use the Desktop download program. You could get the Desktop program to open the original .tax2024 file you saved.
You can buy the Desktop Download program here,
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/
When it said to import or transfer your previous tax return, it means to transfer from 2023 to start 2024.
Sounds like you got confused about transferring a 2023 tax file in to start a new 2024 return---which you can do. But with online software, there is not a way to "save" a 2024 return, clear the return and then put it back by any kind of "import." If you clear the return----it is cleared and you start over.
If you want the ability to play around and try different "stuff" you would be happier with the desktop download. With desktop, you can prepare multiple returns and save or delete them to your heart's content.