Cannot continue 2024 TT Online return in TT desktop app

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
April 10, 2025
1 reply
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Hi there,

I started and nearly completed my 2024 return in TT online. However, I need to fill out some lines on the return directly, functionality that only the desktop version of TT offers.

The TurboTax help link found here explicitly states that a saved 2024 online return can be continued in TT desktop. I made the decision to purchase the desktop app based on this!

But when I launch the desktop app and sign in, at no point am I prompted to continue my 2024 return from TT online. This option is also not available in any of the destkop menus. The app only has options to open files locally on my machine or start a new return. I just want to import the work I spent 2 plus hours entering on TT online! What am I missing? Thanks for any help!

DoninGA

Employee

Click on the File menu at the top left of the desktop program screen. Click on Open Tax Return. Then browse to the location where you downloaded the 2024 tax data file from the online edition.

AdeKAuthor

I want to continue from an in progress 2024 online return, not load a saved return from my local machine.

The help article link I provided in the original message indicates that this should be possible, but none of the options to continue an in progress online return are available in the desktop app as outlined in the help article.

VolvoGirl

Employee

Yes that link should work. There should be a Continue from Online button. Did you buy or install the Desktop program in the same account you did Online in? Are you on Windows or Mac?

Or you can download the tax file ending in .tax2024 from Online. Save the tax file

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/saving/help/how-do-i-save-my-turbotax-online-return-as-a-tax-data-file/00/25740

Then open it in your program. Go up to File-Open.

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to F.ILE - NEW). Just enter some basic personal info like your name and address then click on the State tab at the top and it should ask if you want to download the state program.