How can I print and mail in an already prepared 2016 return if the CD isn't working?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
November 13, 2019
3 replies
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I prepared my 2016 tax return back in 2017 on Turbo Tax 2016 CD software I got at a local store. I got the Deluxe CD for Windows and Mac (I have a Mac with the most updated software as of 11/12/19)

I am due a refund. I was going through a hard time in my life and never was able to send it in to the IRS. I want to still file for this refund, but now the CD won't install on my iMac.

I have a similar situation for 2017 and 2018 in terms of having them prepared but not filing yet with the IRS, and due a refund on both. However on the 2017 and 2018 the software seems to open those respective files fine. I was afraid to proceed and file those until 2016 was printed and mailed in, and have been having trouble with the 2016 for a couple years and never had time to figure this out. I think I am approaching a deadline where I can't file for a refund much longer on the 2016 one. Think my refund is forfeited if I don't file by December 31st 2019. So needless to say I need to get all three to print URGENTLY, and can't get 2016 to print.

Is there a way to print 2016 online? I have the file prepared, just need to review it, print it and send the thing in.

Also, is there any reason why I can't file the 2017 and 2018 for my refunds while I am sorting out the 2016 issue? I was really worried I shouldn't do them out of order, but at this point, I don't want to lose any of my refunds and want to get them turned in. I have always done my taxes on time and this is making me so upset. I am a struggling single mom who works all the time and this has been a 3 year nightmare. I desperately need this money and I am almost ready to take all my documents to a tax preparation company and tell them MERCY.

Hoping someone can help...thank you so much.

TurboTax Deluxe Mac

A

Anonymous

if you want to pay TT fees, you can prepare your 2016 return online but because of the changeover from 2018 to 2019 you may have to wait until some time in December. contact support about the 2016 issue. there can be many reasons for this. have you tried a complete unistallation of 2016, reboot, and try to reinstall from cd? some ops may post other suggestions. you can file 2017 and 2018 without filing 2016. e-filing any of these years is closed. mail each year separately following TT mailing instructions. use a method where either you can track them or get proof of delivery. be sure to attach any withholding documents.

as for 2016 since the earliest due date was 4/15/2017 you have until 4/15/2020 to claim refund. if the IRS received an extension for that year, you have until 10/15/2020, but don't bet your refund on this.

M

mesquitebean

Employee

@610881

A 2016 return cannot be prepared online, so you'll need to disregard some of the info in the helper's comment above. And you should not have to pay any fees again. And obviously you can't uninstall/reinstall, since you said can't install the 2016 CD software at all.

In regards to opening your existing 2016 tax file, you said "now the CD won't install on my iMac" and that you "have a Mac with the most updated software."

That may be the problem. The 2016 TurboTax program was not designed for current Mac OS X. What happens when you try to install it? Are you getting an error message when you try to install the 2016 CD? Please state explicitly what Mac OS X version you are using.

I don't use a Mac, so I'm going to ask someone who does to comment in this thread later today to see what options you have. Do you only have the *.tax2016 data file and not a 2016 PDF?

@macuser_22 Can you please assist here today? Thanks!

macuser_22

Employee

In order to open the 2016 .tax2016 data file you must first have the 2016 software installed AND any state software if there was a state return in the data file. After installing the TurboTax 2016 software open it from the Applications Folder and then use the top menu bar File -> Open File and locate the .tax2016 data file to open. (You must first start a new blank tax return and install state software if the .tax2018 data file has a state.) If TurboTax itself will not open then see below:

if you get the message "TurboTax cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software" then that is caused by the Apple "Gatekeeper" introduced with OS X 10.15 (Catalina).

That has nothing to do with TurboTax and will happen for any application not purchased from the Apple Store.

See this Apple article on this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491

And this TurboTax help article: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/troubleshooting/help/turbotax-for-mac-won-t-open-when-installed/00/26611

For older Mac systems when TurboTax will not open.
See:

Be sure that System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> General -> Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers is checked.

Go to the Applications folder and select the TurboTax application in the Finder and right click with the mouse (or control click) ans select the top "open". That should force the first open. After that it should open normally.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899267-administrator-rights-mac

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

A

Anonymous

Oh forgot to mention, I have two files saved that I can see, there is one called "Tax Return 2016" (which is the same name as my other year's files) and then another one called "Tax Return 16.tax2016". I think they may be the same file, maybe I just saved it twice. but yes, I think I do have the full Federal and State return saved and completed within one of those files.