Why won't turbotax import form 1040SR pdf from H&R Block?

[Jooeedee]

Why won't Turbotax import 2021 form 1040SR pdf from H&R Block? There are a lot of seniors using Turbotax so we should not be neglected. I tried saving the regular 1040 form but the only thing that imported was my name and address. It also showed my last  year's AGI as over $1million which was not even close to being correct. It doesn't appear that it will let you import from Quicken either.  It would be nice if I could import my 2020 return which was done on Turbotax but that doesn't work either. Unless someone has a better idea looks like I'll be typing in all of my info.

[Anonymous_]

Information transferred into TurboTax from a PDF is limited to basic data, such as names and addresses of taxpayers.

[DoninGA]

Form 1040-SR is not supported for PDF transfer

See this TurboTax support FAQ for transferring a PDF file to the 2022 TurboTax for Windows desktop editions - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-y...

[Critter-3]

Ok ... when you start a 2022 return you TRANSFER (not import) the information from the .tax2021 file.  What transfers from a PDF is very limited (even from a TT PDF) and can be inaccurate.

So if you have the correct .tax2021 file  you can start again and transfer the information now. 

You have to do the transfer of 2021 to 2022 at the very beginning, BEFORE you enter any new data.   If you started putting in any 2022 information without performing the transfer of the 2021 tax file to 2022, then you could clear and start over and transfer it correctly.   And----you MUST  be in the same account with the same user ID.

CLEAR AND START OVER

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586254-how-do-i-clear-and-start-over

How to transfer last year’s return? https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900883

[VolvoGirl]

Are you using Turbo Tax Online version or the Desktop CD/Download program?  The Desktop program doesn't transfer from a 1040SR pdf but the online version should.  You need to have the actual electronic pdf file not a printed or scanned copy.  But a pdf only transfer very basic info like your name and AGI. Be just as easy to manually enter all your info.  So it's probably not worth even trying to transfer 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-...

[Jooeedee]

I know Form 1040-SR is not supported for PDF transfer which is where my question comes from.

It is directed to Intuit, why ignore Seniors for PDF transfer?

As it turns out PDF transfer from H&R Block is not worth the time it takes to figure it out since the only thing it seems to get correct is name and address. As several people stated, easier to just type in your information.

[Critter-3]

NEVER transfer from a PDF ... all that comes over is some personal info and possibly the AGI which you can enter yourself in a couple of minutes.   ALWAYS transfer from a .taxfile so everything gets transferred.  This has always been the way it has been done. 

[Jooeedee]

Based on the replies I'm getting apparently I asked the wrong question. It is true as some of you have said that importing or transferring from a PDF file is not worth your time, but you have no choice if you are trying to switch to Turbotax from a competitor and even then it's not worth your time. The real issue is why doesn't Turbotax support importing/transferring your previous year's tax return from a competitor product's tax file (H&R Block in my case, or TaxAct for that matter)? H&R Block is more than happy to import your tax information from a TurboTax file, but it seems that Intuit doesn't want to make it easy for people to move from their competition. What kind of marketing approach is that, but I digress? It appears to me that Intuit is using false advertising to attract clients of their competitors by claiming that Turbotax will import your tax information from H&R Block and Tax Act. Almost nothing could be further from the truth. Of course this question would be best addressed to someone at Intuit, but I don't see a way to contact anyone there unless I want to spend an unknown amount of time the telephone and I'm not optimistic that I could find anyone that could answer my question anyway. Any suggestions on how to do that would be helpful. In the meantime it looks like I've got some typing ahead of me. Thanks for your help.

[Critter-3]

Sorry but transferring in from a PDF is weak even if you tried to transfer from a TT PDF as very little comes thru ... you need to get the .taxfile from the previous company. 

How do I transfer last year's return into TurboTax Online?

(If you're looking to transfer last year's return to TurboTax CD/Download, follow these instructions instead.)

It's easy to transfer last year's return, and depending on your situation, the transfer could be:

Automatic—which will transfer all of your info without you having to do anything extra.
From a PDF—which will transfer your personal info and your AGI to give you a head start.
From a .tax file—which will transfer all of your info in a few short steps.

Keep in mind:

The PDF needs to be your 1040 or 1040-SR
The program accepts PDFs from a range of providers, such as HR Block, Credit Karma, TaxAct, ezTaxReturn, TaxSlayer, or Liberty Tax/Tax Brain
We support a wide number of other providers and keep expanding our capabilities.

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.

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

AND WHY IS A PDF BAD ...  the program is looking for a working file like the .taxfile that it can read/use.  The PDF is just a picture of your return and not a working file.  It would be like taking a photograph  of your pet to a vet for a surgery... although the vet may be able to diagnose the problem they cannot physically fix it. 

[Jooeedee]

I wish everyone would stop saying the best thing to do is have Turbotax import from a Tax file.

This would be true if I was trying to get it to read last year's Turbotax file.

I'm trying to import from last year's H&R Block program which creates a tax file in a format that Turbotax download will NOT read. The only way that problem is resolved is if Intuit decides to make it easy to convert from H&R Block which so far they have opted not to do.

And yes as everyone has said it will try to get something out of the PDF file that H&R Block creates but that's not worth the time it takes to go through the process with how little it imports, and the AGI is incorrect which actually makes it worse. I didn't even bother to save it.

[Critter-3]

BLOCK  will produce a .taxfile ... how do you think their program transfers in the prior year information ?   What you need to do is get that .taxfile  and if you cannot  then either don't switch programs or  suck up and make the manual entries.

FYI ... if your AGI is $73K or less you can try one of the IRS FREE FILE options :  https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

[Jooeedee]

Block's tax file has an extension of .t21 while Turbotax is looking for a file with extension .tax2021.

Turbotax will NOT read Block's file, but Block has the ability to read a Turbotax file.

I knew many replies ago that I was going to have to type my information.

I'm just trying to get the correct answer posted in this community for other users to see.

As of today Turbotax 2022 will not read a tax file created with H&R Block 2021 so don't say that it can.

[VolvoGirl]

Did you say if you are using the Turbo Tax Desktop program or the online version?  If you are using the Desktop program start a new return (go up to File-New) and click on Browse files.  then pick your .t21 file and see if it transfers.  

[Jooeedee]

I ended up calling Intuit just to register my request because I knew based on my experience and these threads that there was no solution to my issue. The representative even put me on hold for 10 minutes or more while she ran my request up to chain of command but I still don't think she really understood. Simply put Intuit has opted not have Turbotax Import from form 1040SR or an H&R Block .T21 tax file. I suggested that they should do both of these because they are neglecting Seniors and H&R Block customers that would like to easily move over to Turbotax. I don't hold out any hope that Intuit will actually do anything about this but I wanted to at least put in my request because I know the community can't make the program do what I think it should do.

[joe-fran]

this is so frustrating.  I was a turbo tax user since the late 1980's early 1990's. Stopped for several years as my situation required professional help. Went back to TT 4 years ago. Tried H&R Block last year.

Liked TT better and now I CANNOT  transfer/import all the relevant data etc   from BLOCK to 2022 TT?????

This is total BS!!!!!