Select the file and use File -> Get Info (or Command I) and unlock it if locked.
I did that and it says that I have read and write privileges. However, when I save from Turbo Tax it still gives me the same message that my file is locked.
Was the locked box checked as in my example? If so you must unlock it. That can also be a problem if the file is in a Folder that is locked.
Sometimes it can be a Mac issue and restarting clears it.
The locked box was not checked. I restarted my computer, and nothing has worked so far. In fact I got a message saying that I didn't have privileges to access my Desktop at one point. Eventually I have to make a duplicate of the file to proceed. All my folders have read and write privileges. What else is there to try?
Sounds like a problem with your User account. That is a Mac issue and not TurboTax. Talk to Apple support..
Was there a solution to this issue? I'm having same issue on my Mac and looking for help. thanks.
I'm sorry to say but TurboTax(TB) techs were not able to save my problem. They gave me the obvious solutions such as unlock my file, etc. non of which worked. I called several time and they sent me new TB dies on line to reinstall. That didn't work. This problem ultimately went from I couldn't save my data, which prevented me from filing my return to not even able to print my return. They couldn't solve my problem They said there was no incompatibility with IOS Catatlina 10.15.4. I paid for internet consultant to look at the problem and they couldn't solve the problem. I then notified and talked on several occasions with an Apple tech. After a long series of chats he asked me to set up a new user on the computer named "Test" with password, etc. units all TB and go to the new user. Reinstall TB. I did that and I could bring up(booted) the reinstalled TB and it opened. I was then able to print my tax files. However the only way I could save was to save to my desktop. I was able to file my taxes via eFile since I saved my data to the desktop. This end award and time consuming as I spent an enormous amount of time trying to get all of this to work. The reason for all of this is still unknown. Next year I will be very hesitant to buy TB to do my taxes. I must say that I have not had this problem ever with my Mac and Turbo Tax. I have been using TB for many years. This is so disappointing.
That proves that the problem was an unknown issue with your Mac user account and not the TurboTax software since it worked fine with a different user account. You could probably only save to the desktop from the new user account because that account probably did not have permissions to save elsewhere.
No it did not work with the new user account. I could print but I still could not save properly. The ONLY problem that this occurs with is TurboTax. There are NO other programs in the entire life of me using my Mac has this occurred. Sorry, but there is a reason all of this happened, and I would expect som expert to be able to help me out.
I feel your pain, BillB, although my time investment of about 4 hours solving this issue may not have been as much as you experienced. I contacted Apple after reading this post. After a few questions to understand problem they asked if I had tried saving to desktop, I had not. After saving tax file to desktop the issue went away. I had to renter some data but not too much effort. I was just glad to have a working path forward.
I am also a long time Mac and TurboTax user and have never had this issue before. As you said, a software code expert should be able to resolve this issue and improve the customer experience. I do hope this issue gets resolved.
@BillB3 wrote:
However the only way I could save was to save to my desktop.
The "save" function is TurboTax simply calls the built in Mac save. TurboTax itself cannot save, only the Mac OS can do that.
If you could save to your desktop then that proves that you can save the file. If you cannot save to other locations than that is an issue with the Mac - probably permissions. Apple "Genius Bar" techs at an Apple store should be able to trouble shoot this.
Show them that the original user cannot save at all but the new user account can save, but only to the Desktop. They should be able to solve it.
I got the same issue. My workaround was to rename the file then save. This only worked after you renamed the file. If you try to save again, you will get the same error. To save again I have to rename again then save.
I think this is a bug with turbo tax, but whose want to be on the phone with tech support try to explain issue happen on Mac!
I agree. This is a TurboTax bug. I have the same problem and it only happens when I try to e-file and pay by credit card. When I allow them to e-file and deduct (costing $39.99) it works perfectly fine. This year TurboTax has been a disaster for Mac Users. I have used it for the last 5 years with a Mac with no problem. Now, since they have had to modify the code with updates it has not worked well at all.
Terrible...
I had the same issue on my Mac. I was able to rename the file and save it. It looks like every time I want to save I need to rename the file. It has worked 3 times so far.
I am a long time turbotax user, this is the first year using my MAC and not happy with the issue of trying to save files. I continue to receive the message that the file is locked, I cannot save. What I have found though, there are points in the return that if I exit, it will save the return, have not paid attention enough as to what those points are. I also put off updating the software until after my updates are made. I usually don't connect to the internet when opening the software so the software does automatically update. I make my changes in all of my returns I am working on, then update the software. As part of the update process it does save the return. Definitely think turbotax should be able to save more frequently automatically and when I ask to save.
@MACuser27 As a test, try this - I would be curious if it works or not.
System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Full Disk Access > add TurboTax 2020
(You can always remove it with the - button.).
Yes, that worked, I can save the file now. Turbotax was already in the list, just had to unlock, then check it. Thanks.
This worked for me too! Turbo Tax was not in the list, I had to add it. Seems like this is a Turbo Tax setup/install issue.
@pjtax20 wrote:
This worked for me too! Turbo Tax was not in the list, I had to add it. Seems like this is a Turbo Tax setup/install issue.
That is a Mac setup option when the Mac is installed. Has nothing to do with TurboTax. TurboTax is an applications that has no access to the Mac internal settings.
Thanks for this information on how to unlock the file. I had the same problem last year and just saved to a different location as a work around. Your suggestion worked and I will need to make myself a note for next year.
I have had SUCCESS with e-filing my 2020 Taxes using TurboTax Deluxe and my older MacBook Pro (running OS Catalina)!!! I, too, have battled the inability to save updates to my return, culminating in the inability to eFile, but I got it work without contacting Turbotax or Apple.
Here's what worked for me:
1) do all of the work up to filing. If you have to stop and start, save. Actually, it would be smart to save to a USB drive as you go, especially nearing the end of your process.
2) print before you file (just in case!) then go through all of the steps to E-file. If it works, great, but if it refuses to save and then E-file because your "file is locked" or "you do not have authorization to open this file" or some other silliness, then begin the process below:
3) when you are sure that you are ready to E-file (no last-minute tweaks or further reviewing) go to "Duplicate" (part of TurboTax drop down menu near the top left corner of the computer screen -- to the right of the Apple logo). This will create an untitled copy of your tax return -- with everything that you have entered into it up to this point.
4) working from this untitled Turbotax document (that by now has everything, including any bank routing numbers, your email, and all of the final details for submission), GO STRAIGHT TO FILE. (Within the TurboTax program -- the top right option on the TurboTax screen).
4) walk through the steps to file your return, but Do NOT SAVE until you absolutely have to
5) when you press the last submit button, a "Save As" will pop up.
6) give your Tax return a name and whatever encryption you need to give it, and SAVE IT TO YOUR DESKTOP.
7) for me, the moment it saved to my desktop, it began the (successful) submission process.
It only took about 7 attempts for me to try this and have it work. I hope that it works for you, too, and saves you some time!
Same her today. March 18, 2021. We have used TurboTax each year since 2014 or before. This version has been a new kind of challenge in many ways and now will not e-file. Tried e-filing a week ago ... no go. Decided to wait for possible updates. My iMac OS had a big update about a week ago so tried to e-file our returns again today. TurboTax launched a big update which was encouraging. Opened up our return ... went to e-file again ... still no e-file.
Scrapping the e-file attempt ... will now mail in the return ... and hope that idiot DeJoy has not now cratered the US Mail totally.
I found the solution. I'm also a Mac user and was having the same issues. You'll need to go to the computer's system preferences to solve the issue.
Apple -> System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Privacy (I don't know if it'll automatically jump to that but there are 4 options at the top of the window that says "general, FileVault, Firewall, Privacy") -> Full Disk Access -> (if your lock is on for making changes (lower left of window), you'll need to unlock first) then scroll down the list of apps to Turbo Tax 2020 and select it -> reengage the lock for the window (if you unlocked it).
And then relaunch TurboTax 2020 via opening a file and then you should be able to save files again