Why am I unable to download info from td ameritrade?

We are unable to import your information from this source. Please check your selection and try again. If your information is still unavailable, contact your financial institution for help.

(Asked 01/29/09, Views 288)

You can import the tax cost information into the installed version of Turbo Tax from a file created in GainsKeeper. The process requires:

I. The completion of the Initial Baseline Process screen and elimination of any errors in GainsKeeper (you have completed this step).
II. The creation of the TXF file in GainsKeeper.
III. The import of the TXF file into Turbo Tax.
IV. Import the 1099 information into Turbo Tax

I. Initial baseline

1. Click on the Accounts drop down menu in your TD Ameritrade account and select Gain/Loss.
2. Click Check-Up at the top of the GainsKeeper window and then Show (if available) on the right.
3. Complete any information requested.

Cost basis information

1. Click on the Accounts drop down menu and select History and Statements.
2. Click the All Transactions Types drop down menu and select Trades.
3. Enter the symbol in the Symbol field.
4. Adjust the View Date/Range fields to be no more than 1 year (from 01/01/2003 to 12/31/2003 for example) and then click the View button. You may search 1 year at a time.
5. Scroll down to view the information below the Search Results banner. Use the cost in dollars of the last shares purchased equal to the amount of shares listed in the Initial Baseline Process screen. Enter the information in the GainsKeeper screen one position at a time.

Once you have completed the Initial Baseline Process screen, please report any Position Alerts to us.

II. Create the TXF file

1. Click Export Data at the top of GainsKeeper (click on the Portfolio and Accounts drop down menu in your TD Ameritrade account and select Gain/Loss).
2. Click Get Report as Tax Software TXF File mid way down the left side of the page.
3. Choose your desktop as the storage location for easy access.

III. Import the TXF file into Turbo Tax

1. Open TurboTax and display your tax return.
2. Click the File drop down menu at the top left.
3. Point to Import, Accounting Software, and select from Other Financial Software (TXF). Browse to find the file (the filename begins with ?realized?).


Please refer to Turbo Tax for questions on the usage of the imported data.

If your accounts generated any wash sales during the selected tax year, GainsKeeper recommends using Turbo Tax to import .txf files. Please make sure to check the accuracy of all wash sale transactions - TurboTax sometimes incorrectly categorizes the holding term. Please see View Account; select Realized Sell (detailed) and click View.

IV. Import the 1099 information into Turbo Tax

1. Open TurboTax and display your tax return.
2. Click the File drop down menu at the top left.
3. Point to Import, From Financial Partner, and select TD Ameritrade from the list (Ameritrade for older versions).
4. Use either the TD Ameritrade Userid and Password (same as you use to access your online TD Ameritrade account at www.tdameritrade.com) or the Userid followed by ?@amtd? as the Userid (the format is [Userid]@amtd) and the same password.

If this does not work, then use the Account Number and PIN. The Account Number and the Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your TD Ameritrade account are found on the Personal Profile page on the My Profile tab of the Portfolio & Accounts drop down menu within your online TD Ameritrade account. The Account Number and the Edit PIN link are located on the left side of the page.

I got this answer from:

Larry Weigum
Technology Support, TD AMERITRADE
Division of TD AMERITRADE, Inc.

(Posted 01/30/09)