topic Transfer from Online to Desktop version in Troubleshooting

Transfer from Online to Desktop version

eugene188 — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 18:03:38 GMT

For many years my family has done our taxes on the desktop version. This year my dad bought the online version by mistake.

Next year how do we go back to the desktop version since I can't seem to download the .tt24 file?

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

Reanna-TurboTax — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:24:54 GMT

Hello,

Unfortunately, you cannot import your tax files to TurboTax Desktop from TurboTax Online. Please keep a copy of your NOA which will help get you started on TurboTax Desktop next year. Thank you for using TurboTax.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

JRisling — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:29:04 GMT

I too made this same mistake of buying the wrong version of turbotax in 2025 for 2024 returns and now I can't access the *.tt24 files for this years returns. Wish I had returned the online version before I got started. lesson learned.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

pbrett31 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:36:38 GMT

I, too, made the mistake of using TurboTax online last year. I returned to the premier desktop edition and can't import online returns now. I had significant issues with the online version, and now this. Turbotax, please get rid of the online version, or at least have interoperability.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

TurboTaxAniqua — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:10:06 GMT

@pbrett31 Thanks for the feedback, and we will pass this on to our development team.

Unfortunately, you cannot export a .tax file (tax data file) from TurboTax Online to import into the TurboTax Canada Download/Desktop version. While you can download a PDF of your return, TurboTax Desktop requires a specific data file (.ttxx) to transfer information, which is not supported from the Online (DIY) version.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

ckokxx — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 02:18:00 GMT

Are you kidding?!! I cannot transfer the returns from the online version to the download version of Turbo Tax.

Turbo Tax needs to develop a fix for this issue, or you will lose customers.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

aaru162425 — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:10:31 GMT

Thank you for your feedback.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

kavitatul — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:43:22 GMT

This is a restrictive trade practice and we all are looking at filing a class action lawsuit against Intuit/TurboTax Canada, because this feature is available in US version of Turbo Tax. It is being denied in Canada so that TurboTax can get rid of stores and businesses who have been selling your desktop version.

Unnecessary hardship to customers will eventually result in sales loss, and poorer bottom line in the long run.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

TurboTax_Susan — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 23:03:32 GMT

@kavitatul Both the Canadian versions of TurboTax (Desktop & Online) are based off of Canadian made software, not the US software, which is why there is a difference in features.

Also, many, if not all 3rd party retailers (Costco, Staples, Walmart, etc...) sell both the Desktop & Online versions. In fact, if you want a TurboTax Online multi-return code, we don't sell them on our website, you need to go to a 3rd party retailer to get one.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

kavitatul — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 23:15:50 GMT

Susan,

I was enticed into online version last year and when I signed up or ordered, I was never cautioned or warned that I will not get Data files in online version anymore....... I fail to comprehend why Desktop generates .tt files automatically and I am 100% the same files are generated at your end on online versions too, but not shared purposely for exploiting naive customers............. strangely you guys are not seeing the bigger picture......

I spoke to a CSR on a call and I was emailed this: BUT THEN I FOUND THAT IT DOES NOT WORK, AND WHEN CALLED AGAIN I WAS TOLD THIS DOES NOT WORK IN CANADA, BUT IT WORKS IN USA.

To help your customer bring their 2024 TurboTax Online (TTO) return into TurboTax Desktop (TTD) 2025, have them start from the Desktop product, not from TTO:

Have the customer open TurboTax Desktop 2025 on their computer.
On the home screen of TurboTax Desktop, have them click the button that says something like:
“Continue From TurboTax Online”.
They’ll be prompted to sign in to their TurboTax Online account – make sure this is the same TTO account where the 2024 return was prepared.
Once signed in, they choose the correct 2024 Online return and follow the prompts; Desktop will automatically locate and import the 2024 TTO file into TTD 2025 (no need to manually find or download the .tax file).

This flow is specifically described as starting from the TurboTax Desktop home screen and choosing “Continue From TurboTax Online,” then confirming which account to use.

Elizabeth

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

TurboTax_Susan — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 23:30:46 GMT

@kavitatul TurboTax DIY Online is based off of Profile, our software for tax professionals, not TurboTax Desktop, so the return files it makes in the backend can't be opened with TurboTax Desktop.

You can still download a PDF archive of your TurboTax Online return, in fact the PDFs will be stored for up to 7 years on our secure servers. You can also ReFILE, review, and create new returns for 3 tax years - The current year, and the 2 prior years. And you can always get your previously filed returns from the CRA, right from MyAccount. So your data is not locked away from you at any point.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

kavitatul — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:41:24 GMT

Susan,

Seems you are missing the point.

Is there a way to continue using the Desktop version of Turbo Tax, to populate all the required data from last year, if someone has foolishly chosen to file with online version.

Please suggest a way to do it and we will stop wasting time here.

If not then this is a shortcoming, which if continues will cause the innocent naive users, a lot of hardship and they are literally forced into continuing with online version.......... which is only generating more revenue for Intuit-Turbo Tax.

Let me know if I have said anything wrong, above.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

kavitatul — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:42:37 GMT

Again.

Can we use pdf to import like .tt data file? NO

then why is it being mentioned here

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

TurboTax_Susan — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:54:08 GMT

@kavitatul No, there is no way to transfer or open TurboTax Canada Online returns in TurboTax Canada Desktop.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

kavitatul — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:04:11 GMT

Please answer this in clear terms please:

Does it not mean that if someone uses Online version of Turbo Tax Canada, then he has to continue filing tax returns on online version only.

Also are you on their payroll or an independent consultant, not related to Turbo Tax in any way, as an employee or otherwise?

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

user17739847205 — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:35:33 GMT

Hi Susan,

I've brought TurboTax Canada Desktop from Costco. Only then I realized I cannot transfer my 2024 tax year online filing information to the desktop version. Costco is not allowing me to refund because the activation code has been opened.

Given the current situation, I'm being forced to purchace your online license again.

Please confirm if you work for TurboTax and repsenting TurboTax as an employee. We want to make sure we capture this information as evidance for future class actions.

Thank you.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

TurboTaxAniqua — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:57:17 GMT

@user17739847205 You can request a refund for your TurboTax product within 60 days of the original purchase date. Fill out and submit the form below. Even though it's a retail purchase.

How do I get a refund for a TurboTax product?

Thank you!

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

kavitatul — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:38:51 GMT

Ok now I have purchased TurboTax (8 Returns) ONLINE version from Walmart so that I can import data from my last year 2024 data files from my TurboTax online account.

How to do this, step by step please?

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

TurboTax_Susan — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:47:05 GMT

@kavitatul First, please go to turbotax.ca/activate to use your code before you start your returns. You can see this TurboTax FAQ for step-by-step instructions: In TurboTax Do It Yourself (Online), how do I use a prepayment code?

Then, once you are into TurboTax Online, select "Start A New Return" from the left side menu. Then you'll be shown a list of completed tax returns from the previous year. Select one and then click on the "Start Your Return" button in the bottom right.

Re: Transfer from Online to Desktop version

todd-kim — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:14:25 GMT

Where is this button?