- Save a Backup Copy of Your Tax File
Save a Backup Copy of Your Tax File
This article describes how to save a backup copy of your tax data file that can be opened and read by the TurboTax software (desktop) version.
Similar-sounding—but very different—is saving a copy of your tax return as a PDF file, which is like a "picture" or "snapshot" of your tax return that you can print. PDF files can be opened in the free Adobe Reader program, but they cannot be opened or read by TurboTax software.
TurboTax Online
After you sign in to TurboTax Online with your user name and password, TurboTax periodically saves your tax data file to our secure server while you're logged in. This prevents data loss in case your Internet connection goes down while working on your return.
Once you complete and file your online return, we automatically store a PDF copy that you can access after TurboTax Online closes for the season.
It's not a bad idea to also save a backup copy of your online tax file to your hard drive as a .tax2009 file, which can be opened in TurboTax 2009 software or later transferred to TurboTax 2010 software:
- Sign in to TurboTax Online and click the Home tab.
- Scroll down to the We can help you... section and click the link Save your 2009 return to your computer.
- Click Save.
- In the Save As window, browse to the location where you want to save your backup, and then click Save.
TurboTax Software
When you start your tax return using TurboTax software, the program creates a tax data file. You will be prompted to save your return at certain times in the program, for example before closing your tax return or downloading an update.
However, unlike TurboTax Online, the software version does not periodically save your return, so make sure you regularly save your work by choosing Save from the TurboTax File menu.
It's also a good idea to save a backup copy of your tax return file, in case your original file gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:
- Open your return in TurboTax and choose Save As from the File menu.
- At the Save in field, browse to the location where you want to save the backup.
Note: If you want to burn the file to a CD or save it to portable device, save it to your desktop first to prevent data corruption. After completing Step 5 you can burn, drag, or copy the desktop backup to your CD or device.
- In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" to the begining of the file name).
- Click Save and then close TurboTax.
- Reopen TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it works properly. If you get an error, delete the backup copy and try again.
Copying Mac files to Windows: If you copy a 2009 tax file created with TurboTax for Mac to a Windows computer, rename the file by adding the .tax2009 filename extension so TurboTax for Windows will recognize it. For 2008 tax files, add .tax2008 and for 2007 or earlier, use .tax.
