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March 24, 2022
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Does not TurboTax 2021 transfer .tax2020 that is on my computer?

  • March 24, 2022
  • 3 replies
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I literally have the 2020 return running on my computer and TurboTax 2021 still does not recognize it.
Best answer by bluedeb

Transfer a 2020 tax file (.tax2020) from the Desktop software to Online:

 

You can transfer last year's tax data file (with a filename extension .tax2020) if you're preparing your 2021 return online in TurboTax Live Basic, TurboTax Deluxe, TurboTax Live Deluxe, TurboTax Premier, TurboTax Live Premier, TurboTax Self-Employed, or TurboTax Live Self-Employed. (Free Edition, with or without MAX, doesn't support transferring last year's .tax file.)

 

  • You won't be able to transfer a PDF, it must be a tax data file with a filename extension .tax2020
  • Remove any password protection from the data file before transferring

Note: If you already started your 2021 return in TurboTax Online, transferring will clear any info you have already entered. Please keep in mind, a .tax file from a previous year won't transfer if the file is password protected.

 

Here's how to transfer:

 

You have to use TurboTax Online on your computer to do this transfer (it won't work from a mobile device/mobile web, or in the mobile app).

  1. Sign in to TurboTax Online and start a new return, or open or continue a return you already started
  2. After the screen has loaded, select the Tax Tools drop-down menu in the left menu and then select Tools
  3. In the pop-up window, select the Transfer last year's TurboTax return from your computer link. (If you don’t see this option, you may need to clear and start over.)

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-turbotax-online/00/25953

 

 

3 replies

bluedeb
bluedebAnswer
Employee
March 24, 2022

Transfer a 2020 tax file (.tax2020) from the Desktop software to Online:

 

You can transfer last year's tax data file (with a filename extension .tax2020) if you're preparing your 2021 return online in TurboTax Live Basic, TurboTax Deluxe, TurboTax Live Deluxe, TurboTax Premier, TurboTax Live Premier, TurboTax Self-Employed, or TurboTax Live Self-Employed. (Free Edition, with or without MAX, doesn't support transferring last year's .tax file.)

 

  • You won't be able to transfer a PDF, it must be a tax data file with a filename extension .tax2020
  • Remove any password protection from the data file before transferring

Note: If you already started your 2021 return in TurboTax Online, transferring will clear any info you have already entered. Please keep in mind, a .tax file from a previous year won't transfer if the file is password protected.

 

Here's how to transfer:

 

You have to use TurboTax Online on your computer to do this transfer (it won't work from a mobile device/mobile web, or in the mobile app).

  1. Sign in to TurboTax Online and start a new return, or open or continue a return you already started
  2. After the screen has loaded, select the Tax Tools drop-down menu in the left menu and then select Tools
  3. In the pop-up window, select the Transfer last year's TurboTax return from your computer link. (If you don’t see this option, you may need to clear and start over.)

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-turbotax-online/00/25953

 

 

March 24, 2022

do you have the 2020 return open in the Turbotax 2020 app?  close it. also, if it's not in the default folder, you'll have to browse to find it.

April 1, 2022

I found and transferred the data from 2020 but the data does not show up in the 2021 tax form.  Not using the on-line version but the downloaded software.  Any suggestions?

 

April 1, 2022

It would be best to follow the instructions here so we can assist you further by phone. @Jammertax

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