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Returning Member
posted Mar 15, 2021 4:43:30 PM

Where is my transferred information?

It seems simple enough to start a new return and browse to select last year's pdf file to transfer data. However after it says it transferred the data the software continues to ask me all of the questions.  I skipped a few of the first ones, like name, etc.. but then it started requiring me to input my State of residence and my birthdate.  What data actually transfers.  I seem to remember having this problem last year and I answered all the questions again.   How can I know that the data transferred, beyond the message saying it was.  I am using TT desktop again this year (2021).  I am attempting to do my 2020 taxes and desire to transfer my 2019 data from the pdf file generated by TT.

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7 Replies
Level 15
Mar 15, 2021 4:47:07 PM

You need to transfer the .tax file, not the .pdf one.  A .pdf file is like a photograph of your return; you need the actual data file.

What's the difference between the tax data file an... (intuit.com)

Level 15
Mar 15, 2021 4:49:38 PM

Transfer from a PDF is very limited, consisting mostly of personal info, filing status, possibly some dependents info, etc.

 

You should be transferring from the *.tax2019 data file to get the most relevant info info your 2020 return.

Returning Member
Mar 15, 2021 4:49:58 PM

Thank you for the quick reply.  Because of my last computer dying, I lost the .tax file.  I have seem multiple helps, even in the step-by-step, that say it can transfer data from the pdf file.  This was the pdf file produced by TT, not scanned.

 

Returning Member
Mar 15, 2021 4:53:44 PM

Praise the Lord!  I did a search on *.tax* and I found a bunch of .tax20xx files.  I guess I had copied them over when I had a chance.

Level 15
Mar 15, 2021 4:56:22 PM

@kartim59  asked:  " How can I know that the data transferred, beyond the message saying it was."

 

Here's how to see what data transferred.  This is for the Windows version.

 

  • Open your 2020 return.
  • In the top menubar of the TurboTax interface click on the TOOLS menu, and in the dropdown choose MY TAX DATA.
  • In the form that appears, the last column is the Source.  You can click on that column title to sort the info.
  • It should then show what was Transferred in and what was User Entered.

New Member
Mar 29, 2021 11:30:46 AM

WHERE DO I FIND THE 2019 TURBOTAX DATA TO TRANSFER IT INTO 2020?  I THOUGHT YOU KEPT IT SOMEWHERE.

Expert Alumni
Mar 29, 2021 11:45:42 AM

It depends. Are you trying to transfer it from 2019 Turbo Tax Online(TTO) to 2020 TTO?

If so, you need to use the same login information in 2020 that you used in 2019 for it to transfer properly. You may Contact Us so that a phone expert can help you retrieve your login information in 2019 if you do not remember it.