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I have bought a new computer and would like to copy TurboTax software for previous years from the old computer to the new computer. Please advise.

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 4, 2019
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TurboTax Free Edition Online

Best answer by rjs

You can't copy the software from one computer to another. You have to install it on the new computer from the CD or download for each year.

You can copy your tax return data files to the new computer. They have the file name extension .tax20yy, where yy is the year. For example, the file name extension is .tax2015 for your 2015 tax return, .tax2016 for your 2016 return, etc. The default location for the .tax20yy data files is My Documents/TurboTax, but you could have saved them in a different folder.

rjsAnswer

Employee

You can't copy the software from one computer to another. You have to install it on the new computer from the CD or download for each year.

You can copy your tax return data files to the new computer. They have the file name extension .tax20yy, where yy is the year. For example, the file name extension is .tax2015 for your 2015 tax return, .tax2016 for your 2016 return, etc. The default location for the .tax20yy data files is My Documents/TurboTax, but you could have saved them in a different folder.

R

Rickconant

I saved my TurboTax file for 2019 into Documents in the Cloud.

Now when I turn on my new computer I can see the document in the Cloud but I cannot open it because I do not have TurboTax application installed on the new computer

When I go to TurboTax it wants me to purchase the download to the new computer but I already purchased the 2019 Premier on the old computer.

So do I have to buy the application again or just use the old computer for 2019 taxes?

Really would like to use the new computer as it is an Apple MacBookAir 2019 while my old one is a MacBook Air 2012.

Help

Thanks/Richard Conant

VolvoGirl

Employee

Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2014, .tax2015, .tax2016 etc.  They should be in your Documents in a Turbo Tax folder.  You should also have the pdf files of each year.  Or search your computer for all files ending in .tax.  Also if you haven't done it,  I would open each year in the program and save it as a PDF file, go to File-Save to PDF so you don't need the program installed.

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.

The programs need to be installed from the CD or download them again.  You don't need to install them unless you need to amend or open a return.  After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return 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 File-New Tax Return).

Then go to FILE -Open and find your return.

See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901474-move-your-tax-return-to-a-different-computer

If you are moving to a Mac from Windows or to Windows from Mac you will need to install the right program.  If you have the CD it has both windows and Mac programs on it.  If you downloaded the program you might need to call in and ask for the other download. Unless you have both downloads in your account already.

R

rocelp

I also have the same problem. My old laptop had a cd drive, which is now broken. The new one doesn't. I transferred all turbotax files to my new laptop. I am trying to find the folder to where the turbotax program was installed and perhaps execute that file to my new one? I looked under "Program Files", but I can't locate it. Or is this not possible?

VolvoGirl

Employee

Sorry, as I said the programs need to be installed from the CD or download. Maybe if you call in they can put the download in your account. Where did you buy the CD? If you are on the Turbo Tax Advantage plan you also have the download.

Contact Customer Service 5am-5pm Pacific M-F

https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

M

mikecour

I transferred my 2019 taxes from my old computer to a new one but only got the forms which I don't think will transfer next year to my 2020 taxes. I believe I need to transfer the Turbo Tax program in order to do this, I have lost the CD. Do I need to get another one? if so, what is the process once I get it. Thanks for your help Mike. [email address removed]

rjs

Employee

@mikecour

You do not need the 2019 TurboTax program in order to transfer your information to your 2020 tax return. All you need is the .tax2019 data file for your 2019 tax return.

G

Godbless1952

Please provide the steps to do this??? [email address removed]

Critter-3

You can't transfer the programs. They have to be installed from the CD or Download. You don't need to install the prior year programs unless you need to amend that year. Before you move your tax return files make sure you have saved each year as a PDF file. So you may want to open each year and do that. FILE - SAVE TO PDF

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. Then 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. Those can always be at least read by any system, even if they can't be used directly by the program.

Especially....if you are upgrading to Windows 10....there is no guarantee that any of the 2014...or prior year tax programs will run at all on W-10. That has yet to be determined...

Save the PDF for each year twice.

1) Once as the tax return for filing (this contains just the filing tax forms)

2) Again as the tax return, but with ALL the forms and worksheets (this contains all of your worksheets and shows all of your entries on some form or another).

The selection of the bare tax return, or the extended tax return with everything is made during the Save-to-PDF process.

And back those PDFs up to a backup USB or CD....every year we get tons of folks begging for access to a tax return on a crashed disk....TTX doesn't have it...only you do when you use the desktop software.

See this TurboTax support FAQ concerning moving tax files to a new computer - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901474-how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-computer

Critter-3

This is my mini version of a tutorial that should be in the downloaded program:

Always remember to shut off the auto update function once you have filed your returns and do not do any updates unless you have safeguarded the PDF & .taxfiles to a removable storage unit for safekeeping.

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

>>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy:
1. Open your return in TurboTax.
2. From the File menu, choose Save As.
3. Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name).
4. Click Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

>> use the WHAT IF tool:
- Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view)
- Click on the Open Form Icon
- In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form
- You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form
- To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
Browse to where you want to save your backup.
- Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
Click Save and then close TurboTax.
Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

G

GRC_1041

My old computer with Turbotax Deluxe year 2020 is not working properly. How do I get my CD copy of this software loaded on my new computer? When I attempted to do it it hung up on "activate" and went no further.

KathrynG3

The CD can be installed on up to five devices. Be sure to run as Administrator.

For more installation resources, see:

Administrator rights in Windows 7, 8, and 10

Troubleshoot installation and running TurboTax for Windows

Troubleshooting problems with Windows Installer and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Running the Windows System File Checker

For support with updating:

Troubleshoot TurboTax for Mac updating issues

Troubleshoot TurboTax for Windows updating issues

Otherwise, You may need to call in for more support at (800) 446 - 8848. For more information about ways to contact TurboTax, see: What is the TurboTax phone number?

C

cleaningpaintingoddjobs

I am reading through the issues others may have. I am having a similar issue. I have cds for 2015-2020 and I started my 2020 on my new computer. I want to use 2019 for the info for any deprecation, vehicles etc. It can't be open so I've downloaded 2019 on my new computer too. That 2019.tax file can not be opened. I have to I remove 2020. (Now I am reinstalling it and I hope I am not loosing my info I have done for 2020 so far.) It is a big deal and a lot of hassle to transfer one computer to another computer?

My question. How do use my tax return for 2019 to help me with 2020 tax while nothing isn't compatible?

VolvoGirl

Employee

You don't need to install the 2019 program and open the 2019 return. You just need to copy the .tax2019 tax file over to the new computer. Do you still have the old computer? Can you open 2019 on it?

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 .tax2019 to transfer into 2020.

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

Sorry if you already started 2020 you can't transfer 2019 into it. You can only transfer into a new return before you start. To transfer 2019 into 2020 you need to start a new blank 2020 return. Start the 2020 program and go up to FILE-NEW. The first thing it should do it look for any .tax2019 file on your computer. If it doesn't find where you put it you can browse to where it is. I made a couple screen shots on this one,

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/re-getting-data-from-2019-return-to-upload-into-2020-form/01/2268538#M813678

How to Transfer into the Windows Desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-for-windows/00/26145

Why did you have to remove 2020? Each year is separate. You can have more than 1 year installed at the same time. Reinstalling the program should not affect your data. Your return is in a separate data file ending in .tax2020. Did you save it? Oh are you on Windows or Mac?

VolvoGirl

Employee

Oh just though of something else. To open a 2019 return (or any year)

After you get the program reinstalled the first thing to do before you open your tax return 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 FILE - NEW). Enter some basic information, then go to the state tab and download the state program. Then try to open your existing return, go to FILE - OPEN

Y

yathongchu1957

my old computer hard disk broken. how can i re-install my turbotax .

DoninGA

Employee

@yathongchu1957 wrote:

my old computer hard disk broken. how can i re-install my turbotax .

If you are re-installing the software then you must have either a CD or a Download to install the TurboTax software.

If you purchased the software from TurboTax as a download then sign onto your download account using the exact same User ID used to purchase the software - https://shopping.turbotax.intuit.com/unified/downloads?route=myaccounts

S

SA4540

I purchased a new computer and want to install last years TurboTax software on it, I have the CD, however, my new laptop does not have a CD drive. How do I get the 2020 software downloaded on my new computer

VolvoGirl

Employee

How to download Turbo Tax if you can't use the CD

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/i-bought-the-cd-but-my-computer-doesn-t-have-a-cd-drive/01/26450

But There is a problem if you first installed the CD. It doesn't connect you to an account you can find. You have to call in and ask for the download and a new License Code. Hopefully you get a customer service person who know about it.

Contact Customer Service
5am-5pm Pacific Time
Monday-Friday
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

What is the Turbo Tax phone number
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

P

Pabbo

I am trying to get going with a new PC. The "Your TurboTax Account" page shows most of my federal and state downloads from 2018 - 2020, but many of the state downloads have no link to download. Clicking on them does nothing. Also, the list of products shows state returns for 2018 but does not show my 2018 federal return product. Meanwhile, I have transferred my tax files to the new PC for 2020 and when I try to open a prior year return it prompts me to download states- I used 2 states in 2020 and already paid for the 2nd, but as soon as I try to down load the second state it wants to charge me $45. I also did returns for family members who used a 3rd and 4th state. I need to get those products too, and have already paid for them as well. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

A

aschuler

I have the same problem. I loaded the software for earlier years to new computer and downloaded the free state software. I downloaded from Turbotax another state (Missouri) and it the program will not allow me to access the file withour repurchasing the Missouri state program. What can I do?