switching from turbotax online to desktop

[gbcooper]

Last year I filed with TurboTax 2023 online. This year i am using TurboTax 2024 desktop version. How do I import the files from last year? or where do I find those files? NOT the PDF files, but the "tt23" files that the desktop version is looking for. Thanks!

[TurboTaxVeronique]

Unfortunately, you can't import your previous taxes year's data from TurboTax Online to TurboTax Desktop. TurboTax Online can't export anything other than a PDF file, and TurboTax Desktop can't open PDF files. Only .ttxx files

Thank you for choosing TurboTax.

[gbcooper]

Thank you for getting back to me.

This seems like a significant flaw in the product line. I have been using TurboTax desktop for well over 10 years without any issues.  Last year I was forced to use the online version because the desktop version would not run on my PC or laptop.  (both CD and downloaded versions). TurboTax support was aware of this issue but could not resolve it (and for many others having the same issue) and I was encouraged to apply for a refund.

You would think that some provision would be made to allow users to switch back and forth between product versions, especially when the switch was forced, not voluntary.

[TurboTaxAniqua]

Your feedback is important to us. We have noted your concern and will pass on to our development team.

Thanks for choosing TurboTax.

[gbcooper]

I hope something more than "noting my concern and passing it along...." will be done. Not being able to switch between online and desktop products will subsequently drive your customers away once they make this unpleasant discovery.

I posted the same question on the TurboTax USA forum and the first reply was "Just hit the 'import from TurboTax online' on the 2024 new return's first page of the desktop version.

If this is true, why wasn't the same done for the Canadian version?

Regards,

Greg

[TurboTaxSusan]

@gbcooper While they look similar, the US & Canada software are not the same, which is why they have different features. Here in Canada, we use software developed in here, not the US. Also, our online software is based off of Intuit Profile, while TurboTax Desktop is its own program that has been around for 30 or so years. They are not the same under the hood.

[gbcooper]

Thank you for your reply.

While I appreciate the detailed explanation of how the USA and CDN versions are different, I think the whole point of the thread is being missed.  Or I'm not explaining myself clearly.

My decision to use the 2023 online version was not voluntary. When I chose that particular product for the first time, there was NO warning whatsoever about choosing the desktop version in subsequent years would result in incompatible working file formats.

Now, there should be actions related to solving the problem (e.g. writing an app that scans/converts the PDF files to the desired desktop file formats "ttXX" or "taxXX", etc.). Because of this flaw, I now have to start my 2024 returns from scratch, without the benefit of importing my 2023 return information. Not a huge deal of course, but if I had known this last year, my process for selecting tax software might have been different.

Since Intuit / TurboTax knew of these issues previously, I can only assume that this has been an intentional outcome all along. I have yet to hear of how a solution is going to be developed. Is this problem intended for ALL future users of the online and desktop versions?

Regards,

Greg

[TurboTaxSusan]

@gbcooper I do understand your frustration, as I faced the same issue when my Mother passed away. I had to us TurboTax Desktop to complete her final return, so I couldn't import her previous return from TurboTax Online. 

It has always been the case that you can't transfer returns from TurboTax Online to TurboTax Desktop. When we here in community are asked what features customers would like to see added, this is one that we always mention. And we do pass on our customers' comments and requests about the matter. But, unfortunatly, it hasn't happened yet, and will not be happening for the 2024 products. 

Also, as far as I know there is nothing on the Canadian website or on the packaging that implies that transfering returns from TurboTax Online to TurboTax Desktop can be be done. Perhaps that's something we need to make it more clear.

[gbcooper]

Thanks for your detailed reply. My condolences to you and family for your Mom's passing.

I understand the corporation's reluctance to create and integrate yet another update / feature. However, what you said is precisely the reason it needs to be addressed. Although the literature / marketing info does not explicitly state you CAN import data from one version to the other, it does not explicitly state that you CAN'T.

One must always assume that the positive version / assumption is true unless explicitly stated otherwise. Anything else is misleading. The omission of that information is ultimately misleading.

Regards,

Greg