Transferring last year's tax files in TurboTax

Tax returns prepared before tax year 2010
You can only transfer information from the previous tax year; you can't skip years. For example, you can't transfer 2008 or 2009 tax information into TurboTax 2011.

Information from a different main form
For example, you cannot transfer data from a corporate (Form 1120) return into a partnership (1065) or individual (Form 1040) return. You can, however, transfer data between 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ returns.

ProSeries or Lacerte tax preparation software
TurboTax cannot transfer information from ProSeries or Lacerte programs; however, these programs will accept TurboTax data transferred into them.

Multiple returns
You can only transfer information from a single tax return. For example, if a newly-married couple filed as individuals last year but plan to file a joint return this year, they will only be able to transfer one spouse's return into this year's joint return.

TurboTax Online Free Edition
Tax files created in TurboTax CD/Download software versions cannot be uploaded to TurboTax Online Free Edition.

TurboTax Freedom Edition
TurboTax doesn't allow you to transfer to or from Freedom Edition.

Personal information

• Name, address, and filing status
• Social Security number
• Adjusted Gross Income
• Dependent information
• Bank information for direct deposit of tax refunds

Business information (only if transferring from data files, not PDF files)

• Employer's name and address
• Partnerships, S corporations, estates, or trusts that you have an interest in
• Deduction descriptions such as medical expenses and the names of charities
• Form 1099 payer information (banks, stocks, mutual funds, retirement accounts, etc.)
• Depreciable items such as cars, equipment, and buildings
• Business-use information
• Passive-loss carryovers
• Schedule C, including ending inventory (for self-employed people)
• Schedule E (for rental property owners)
• Schedule F, including ending inventory (for people involved in farming or fishing)

Carryover amounts  (only if transferring from data files, not PDF files)

• Overpayments applied to your 2011 tax liability
• Contribution carryover amounts
• Credit carryover amounts
• State and local tax carryover amounts
• Capital loss carryovers

Select the version you're transferring to for complete instructions:

• Transfer to CD/Download software for Windows
• Transfer to CD/Download software for Mac
• Transfer to TurboTax Online
• Transferring from TurboTax CD/download to TurboTax for iPad

Although these two procedures do not involve transferring, we've included them here for convenience:

• Move your tax return to a different computer
• Continue your Online return in the CD/Download version
• Moving Your Tax File from TurboTax Online to TurboTax for iPad
• Copying Your Tax File from TurboTax for iPad to Your Computer