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November 13, 2021
Question

How do I make my 2020 TurboTax file available to the 2021 program? I have two 2020 files--a pdf and a TurboTax Return file, but the 2021 program can't "see" the 2nd one

  • November 13, 2021
  • 5 replies
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On my computer, where do I put the 2020 files for 2021 TurboTax to "see" them and choose one to import info?

5 replies

Employee
November 13, 2021

Do not try to transfer a pdf.   You need the tax file.

 

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

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
Critter-3
November 13, 2021

The .tax2020 file must be on the C drive and you can SEARCH for the file to transfer it. 

fanfare
Employee
November 13, 2021

TurboTax should be able to read from any file directory to which you can browse,

BUT 

if that doesn't work, move the file to C:

 

That's sloppy software.

bermaneAuthor
November 13, 2021

I'm not sure why I'm hitting a brick wall with this simple procedure, but maybe because I'm using a Macintosh Mac Mini, so C: drive just doesn't register with my Mac Mind.

VolvoGirl
Employee
November 13, 2021

On Windows the tax files should be in your Documents in a TurboTax folder.  When you installed 2021 it should have made that folder to put the files.  Or when you start a new 2021 return and select Transfer you can Browse to where you saved the .tax2020 file.

VolvoGirl
Employee
November 13, 2021

Are you moving them to a new computer?

What I would do is just copy the whole Turbo Tax folder that is under your Documents. That should be where the .tax files and pdf files are stored. Copy that folder to a flash drive or best yet is to burn it to a CD or DVD and then you will have a backup of them. Then on the new computer copy the folder (or files) from the flash drive to your Documents folder.

 

You only need the tax return data file ending in .tax2020 to transfer into 2021.

 

See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-computer/00/26128

bermaneAuthor
November 13, 2021

I should add that I'm working on a Macintosh Mac Mini, OS 11.6

Employee
November 13, 2021
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
January 1, 2022

see comment above. My turbotax 2020 return  file  is in documents (TurboTab_Online file) It will not import

January 4, 2022

To clarify, are you trying to import your tax file from TurboTax Online into TurboTax Desktop?

@aldoccc

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