My tax preparer used Turbotax to prepare my taxes for many years. He is no longer around and the only things I have are the .tax files. How can I view or print these without having to buy all the old years of Turbotax? Is there any way to export them into something I could work with in a spreadsheet program? Are these files useful at all with or without having the original programs that created them?
Thanks for any info.
These files would be useful WITH the original software only, I believe.
Maybe, you have hard copies of those tax documents kept somewhere - that could be all you need for your records.
Alternatively, previous years Copy of Tax Return ($39) or Tax Return Transcript (free) can be ordered from IRS. More info ->
I have several back years ot TTax I would copy and send to you for $
10/year.
But are past years updates still available.
Go onto e-bay and buy a copy of TT. Check first to be sure that you can download any updates for that version from the Intuit web site.
Thanks to everyone who replied.
My summary take is that these .tax files would only be really useful if I was audited or needed for some reason to revise the original filing, in which case I would probably find an accountant or tax person who still had the original software. Otherwise my paper copies are fine for all routine intents and purposes.
Appreciate your help and info.
Recent versions of TTax include the option to print a PDF file copy of the return - a welcome addition. I keep these copies on file. Have even started scanning in earlier copies of TTax returns and saving to the HD - as I attempt to migrate to the "paperless" society - and clean up my messy file cabinets. Have difficulty throwing the old ones away - even though I probably do not need to keep.
And if a copy is really needed, the IRS can send you a copy also.
I use a free open source program called PDFCreator. It creates a virtual printer on your computer. This lets you print anything to a PDF file. Just select the PDFCreator printer, and a file is created.
I use it constantly for online receipts, etc. Just google PDFCreator for a free download from sourceforge.
CutePDF is another one tat works well and is free..
BTW - since this is a Quicken newsgroup, there is a Quicken installed version of the PDF writer - my printers on XP shows it as.... Quicken PDF Printer on LPT1:
As far as I can tell, the Quicken PDF writer won't permit printing from any other applications.
Apart from that, I tried it, and the files it creates don't seem to show up anywhere on my computer. I printed a quick report, and saved it as "G:\temp\temp.pdf". A search of my computer shows a shortcut in "recent documents" that points to that file, but the actual file does not exist. I don't know where it went, but I'll stick with PDFCreator.
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