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How Can I Transfer Past Turbo Tax Returns?

Feb 21, 2025
How Can I Transfer Past TurboTax Returns

Are you wondering how do I transfer last year’s return into TurboTax Online? If you are managing your taxes with the TurboTax software, you may need to transfer past Turbo Tax returns into your software. However, if you are not sure how to carry out this task, this post will certainly help you with the procedures. Here, you can find the step-by-step guide to transferring last year’s return into TurboTax software for Desktop, Online and Mac versions. It also elaborates on the important considerations you should keep in mind to prevent any hindrances during the transfer process. Let’s start!

Transferring past TurboTax returns is simple. You can import files from your computer or retrieve them from your TurboTax account. Need assistance? Call +1-844-269-7070 for expert help.

Procedure To Transfer Past Turbo Tax Returns Into TurboTax Online

If you are a TurboTax Online user, you can transfer last year’s tax return information by following the dedicated procedures for specific scenarios, as explained below:

If You Have Used TurboTax Online Last Year

You can find your last year’s tax return info in your TurboTax Online using the relevant login credentials. There, you can transfer your past tax return to TurboTax Online with ease. In case you have forgotten your account password, implement the below-given steps to reset it:

  • Visit the sign-in help page on your Internet browser.
  • After that, provide your email, phone number, or user ID.
  • You can receive the verification code on your phone number or email ID.
  • Alternatively, if you enter a User ID, you may choose a preferred reset method.
  • Enter the verification code in the specified area and reset your password when you are prompted to do so.

Thereafter, you can perform TurboTax transfer returns into QuickBooks Online with ease.

Read More: Why Is My Tax Return So Low 2024 TurboTax

If You Have Used TurboTax Desktop Last Year

Below are the steps on how do I transfer last year’s return into TurboTax Online from the Desktop version of the software:

  • Log into your TurboTax Online account to initiate the process.
  • When in Tax Home, start a new return. You may also open or continue with an active return process.
  • Moving ahead, select Tax Tools from the given menu, followed by the Tools option.
  • Thereafter, select the option labelled “Transfer last year’s TurboTax return from your computer.”
  • If you are unable to locate this option, clear the ongoing process and start over.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts to move ahead with the return data transfer process.
  • Keep in mind that you won’t be able to transfer a PDF using this method.
  • It must be a tax data file you can recognize with the .tax2023 extension.
  • If password protection is enabled for this file, remove it before transferring.

Note: If you already started your 2024 return in TurboTax Online, transferring the past return will clear any info you have already entered.

If You Have Used Other Application

You can move the tax returns from a different accounting software in TurboTax Online with ease. You need to select the method used for filing the returns last year and transfer the PDF file. Moreover, you can also change your filing status (single or married filing jointly).

Adhere to the following pointers before transferring the return:

  • You need to make sure that the PDF needs to be your IRS tax form 1040 or 1040-SR.
  • The program accepts the PDFs from a range of providers, but not all. Therefore, you need to confirm it before you move ahead with the process.
  • There are instances, when the program might not accept the PDF. For instance, if the PDF is password protected, or when a hard copy is scanned rather that an electronic PDF.
  • In such a scenario, you may reach out to GoTaxation and get help from expert technicians.

Transfer Past Turbo Tax Returns Into TurboTax Desktop For Windows

If you are wondering how can I transfer past TutboTax returns into TurboTax Desktop, we have laid down the solutions so that you can accomplish this task smoothly.

Carry Out The Transfer from TurboTax Desktop for Windows, H&R Block, or TaxACT

Transferring from TurboTax Desktop for Windows, H&R Block, or TaxACT on TurboTax Desktop for Windows will take the following steps:

  • Open your TurboTax 2024 and click Start a New Return.
  • Alternatively, you may go to the File menu and select the New Tax Return option.
  • Avoid selecting the Continue option here, as transferring is only available on new or empty returns.
  • When you see the Good News! Screen, select the Transfer Return button.
  • Here, you can select the All Files option from the drop-down list using the Browse option.
  • Now, browse the information stores for the last year’s (2023) return and select Open.
  • If you are not able to find this information on your computer, it might be on another computer.
  • You will have to move it to your computer to complete the transfer.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to carry out the task.
  • You may review, edit or delete the transferred information later as well.

Transferring Past Return Info From TurboTax Desktop for Mac

If you have used the TurboTax Desktop for Mac to file last year’s return and need to transfer this data to your TurboTax Desktop for Windows, implement these steps:

  • On your Mac device, locate the last year’s tax file and copy it to a removable device, such as a thumb or flash drive.
  • Now, open your Windows Desktop and paste the copied tax file to a preferred folder on your Desktop.
  • Next, right-click the tax file and add .TAX2023 filename extension to it using the Rename option from drop-down.
  • Thereafter, launch the TurboTax 2024 software and select the New Return option.
  • Alternatively, you can go to the File menu and select New Tax Return.
  • TurboTax should now find your 2023 tax file.
  • If not, use the Browse option to locate and open the tax file.
  • It will initiate the transfer process, and you will need to wait patiently for TurboTax to complete the task.

Read Also: How to Reduce Errors on Your Tax Return

Transferring Last Year’s PDF Into TurboTax Desktop 2024

If you want to transfer the PDF for the last year’s return, check the following pointers before taking any action:

  • The 2023 PDF must be a 1040 return generated through TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxACT software.
  • PDF transfer in TurboTax Desktop is not supported for Form 1040-SR.
  • For complete import, you may use the tax data file.
  • If a scanned copy of the PDF is used or the PDF is password protected, the transfer process will be hindered.
  • TurboTax Desktop will support PDF transfer only from 2023.

Steps To Transfer Last Year’s Return PDF into TurboTax Desktop

Now that you are aware of the prerequisites follow the below-given steps to accomplish the task:

  • In the first place, you need to sign into your TurboTax account. It will help you access returns for 2023.
  • Next, choose New Tax Return from within the File menu.
  • Proceeding further, select Begin to start the process. Alternatively, you may select the option Start a New Return, which is located underneath the Manage Your Returns.
  • When on the “Let’s Get a Jumpstart on Your 2024 Taxes” screen, select the option labelled “Use a tax return that’s on my computer.”
  • Now, follow the on-screen instructions with the utmost care to complete the transfer.

How Do I Transfer Last Year’s Return Into TurboTax Desktop For Mac

If you are using TurboTax on your Mac, you can move your last year’s return data to it with ease by following a few steps. Below are different scenarios for the transfer, so that you can get the relevant help.

Transfer Last Year’s Return Into TurboTax Software For Mac

If you want to move your last year’s tax returns into the TurboTax 2024 for Mac, the below-given step-by-step guide can help:

  • First of all, you need to launch your TurboTax for Mac 2024 on your system.
  • Thereafter, you are supposed to choose the File New Tax Return option.
  • Now, click Begin to initiate the procedure.
  • After that, choose the option labelled Use a tax return that’s on my computer.
  • Here, you can select your last year’s (2023) return from the given list.
  • Click Continue and move to the next step.
  • If you are not able to locate your return, use the Find your tax return option.
  • If the tax return data is on a different computer, you will have to move it to your Mac before moving any further.
  • Now that you are ready to transfer information, click Continue to review it before transferring it.

Note: You can review, edit, or delete the transferred information later on as well. However, you need to keep in mind you won’t be able to go back or revisit the information, once the transfer screen is gone past. If something goes wrong, you still have the option to re-do your TurboTax transfer return​ by repeating the same procedure again.

Transferring Past Turbo Tax Returns From Windows Desktop To Mac

The below-given steps can help you with your quest on how do I transfer last year’s return into TurboTax Desktop if you used a Windows computer last year:

  • Open your Windows computer and launch the TurboTax software.
  • Thereafter, you need to locate the tax file for the last year.
  • Moving ahead, On your PC, copy the tax file to a removable device, such as a flash drive, thumb drive, etc.
  • Now, on your Mac, copy the tax file using your removable device.
  • Next, launch your TurboTax for Mac software and choose the File New Tax Return option.
  • Advance further in the procedure after clicking the Begin option.
  • The program will now look for the last year’s tax return file on your computer.
  • If you are not able to locate the file, select the File Your Tax Return option.
  • After implementing these steps, you need to wait for a while until TurboTax finishes transferring the information.

Transferring Last Year’s PDF To Mac From A Different Tax Software

If you are wondering how to transfer the past TurboTax return into your Mac from different tax software, consider the following pointers:

Things To Keep In Mind Before You Move Ahead

  • The PDF you want to transfer must be your 1040 (IRS tax form).
  • PDFs from a range of providers are accepted in TurboTax, but not all.
  • Once the PDF is uploaded, you can update your information from last year’s tax return.
  • For TurboTax Desktop for Mac 2024, you can only move PDFs from 2023.

Read More: How can I View My Previous Tax Return in TurboTax 

When There Is An Issue Transferring The PDF

Keeping the pointers mentioned in the previous section can help you move the past tax return PDF into your Mac from different tax software. However, there are several factors that might affect the transfer, such as password-protected PDF, scanning of hard copy rather than an electronic PDF, etc. In such a scenario:

  • First things first, open your TurboTax Desktop software.
  • After that, navigate to the File menu and then select New Tax Return.
  • Now, select the Begin option to start the procedure.
  • From under the “Let’s Get a Jumpstart” option on Your 2024 Taxes, select Use a tax return that’s on my computer.
  • Here, you can select your PDF file, and then you are supposed to click Continue to start the transfer.
  • Save this new tax file to prevent the loss of any information.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts to accomplish the procedure.

Note: You won’t be able to perform the PDF transfer from TurboTax Business and TurboTax Mobile as they don’t support this task.

On A Final Note!

Hope your query on “how can I transfer past Turbo Tax returns?” is resolved after exploring this post until the end. Keeping your accounting and taxation information intact lets you manage these processes with ease. If you are experiencing any trouble or difficulty when executing the steps, connect with the GoTaxation experts to receive immediate help.

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Daksh Chamoli

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