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To bring last year’s information into TurboTax, use the route that matches where the old return is saved: sign in with the same account for TurboTax Online, transfer a prior-year data file into Desktop, or import a qualifying electronic PDF from another provider into Online. The steps differ by destination, and a transfer may not carry every calculated item.
Choose the transfer method that matches your old return
| Where last year’s return is | Where you’re filing now | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| TurboTax Online | TurboTax Online | Sign in using the same user ID as last year; prior information should carry over. Intuit’s TurboTax Online help |
| TurboTax Desktop | TurboTax Desktop for Windows | The prior-year .tax data file. Intuit’s example transfers a .tax2024 file or PDF into TurboTax 2025. Intuit’s Windows transfer guide |
| TurboTax Desktop | TurboTax Online | The prior-year .tax[year] data file, with password protection removed. A PDF cannot be used for this route, and the transfer must be done on a computer. Intuit’s Online transfer instructions |
| Another tax provider’s electronic return | TurboTax Online | A qualifying electronic Form 1040 or 1040-SR PDF. A scanned paper return or password-protected PDF may not import. Intuit’s Online transfer instructions |
Transfer a prior return into TurboTax Online
If you used TurboTax Online last year
- Sign in to TurboTax Online with the same user ID you used for the previous return. Intuit says the prior information transfers into the new return.
- If you cannot sign in, use Intuit’s account recovery option rather than creating a different account; the previous return is associated with the account used to file it. See Intuit’s transfer and account guidance.
If you have a TurboTax Desktop data file
- Locate the previous-year TurboTax data file, whose extension identifies its tax year, such as .tax2024.
- Remove password protection from the file before starting the transfer.
- On a computer, follow TurboTax Online’s transfer prompts and select the .tax file. Do not select a PDF for this Desktop-to-Online route.
- Read the warning before transferring into a return already in progress: the transfer can clear information you have entered. Proceed only if you are prepared for that change.
If your previous return is a PDF from another provider
- Use the electronic PDF of a qualifying Form 1040 or 1040-SR, rather than a scan of a paper return.
- Make sure the PDF is not password-protected, then follow TurboTax Online’s import prompts.
- If TurboTax cannot read the file, follow its prompts to enter the information manually.
Transfer a previous-year file into TurboTax Desktop for Windows
- Open the TurboTax Desktop edition for the year you are filing and start a new return.
- Choose Transfer Return or browse to the prior-year data file. Intuit’s example for TurboTax 2025 uses a .tax2024 file or PDF.
- Complete the transfer prompts, then review the imported entries in the new return.
The transfer option is available only when starting a new, empty return. Intuit’s Windows guide cautions: “Don’t select Continue, as transferring is only available on new, empty returns.” If you have already passed the transfer screens, the documented way to try again is to start over with a new return.
Moving a Mac Desktop file to Windows
Intuit’s Windows instructions say to copy the tax file to the Windows computer, add the relevant .tax[year] extension, then open it from a new TurboTax return. Its example uses a 2024 file with TurboTax 2025. Follow the guide’s file-handling steps for your tax year: Intuit’s Windows transfer guide.
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Check the imported return before filing
A transfer is a starting point, not a substitute for reviewing the return. Intuit says some information requiring complex calculations, such as depreciation, does not transfer. Review each section against your prior return and current records; correct or remove transferred information that is incomplete or no longer applies.
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- TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
- Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
- Recommended if you own a home, have charitable donations, high medical expenses and need to file both Federal & State Tax Returns
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- Confirm that personal, income, deduction, and credit information appears in the expected sections.
- Check items that depend on complex calculations, including depreciation.
- Update information that changed since the prior year instead of assuming transferred entries are still correct.
Confirm the tax year and computer requirements
TurboTax Desktop is released by tax year to handle that year’s tax laws; an older Desktop edition cannot file a newer year’s taxes. Intuit explains why each year has a new Desktop version.
Check the operating-system requirements for the specific edition and tax year before installing. Intuit’s requirements page, updated in September 2026, lists Windows 11 64-bit or later and macOS Sonoma 14 or later for tax year 2025; requirements can differ for other years, and TurboTax Desktop Business is Windows-only. See Intuit’s Desktop system requirements.
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- TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
- Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
- Recommended if you are self-employed, an independent contractor, freelancer, small business owner, sole proprietor, or consultant
- Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary)
- Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)
If you are preparing an unfiled older return rather than transferring its information into a current-year return, that is a separate task: use the matching tax-year software and check whether it is currently available and whether paper filing applies. Intuit’s August 2026 guidance discusses eligible 2022–2024 individual returns and paper filing in described cases; its January 2026 page said preparation software was available for 2022, 2023, and 2024, while software for 2021 and earlier was no longer sold at that time. Check Intuit’s prior-year filing guidance and its prior-year product information for current availability.
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- TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
- Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
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