How to Open a Tax File Without TurboTax

Receiving a client’s prior-year tax return only to see it’s a .tax file can be frustrating when you don’t use TurboTax in your practice. That proprietary file format is designed to be opened with a specific version of their software, which you may not own. This article will show you several practical and professional methods to access the information locked inside that file without purchasing or installing TurboTax.

Understand the TurboTax File Types: .tax vs. .pdf

Before exploring the methods, it's important to understand the two main files a TurboTax user generates. Distinguishing between them is the key to solving this issue quickly.

• The .tax file: This is the data file. It contains all the raw numbers, entries, and calculations produced while using the TurboTax software. It is a working document, not a final return. You can only open and edit it using the specific year’s TurboTax Desktop software that created it (e.g., a 2022 .tax file needs the 2022 TurboTax software).
• The .pdf file: This is a portable document format file. It is the final, non-editable copy of the federal and state tax returns, exactly as they were meant to be filed. This is the official document of record and is what the IRS and state agencies receive.

In almost every professional scenario, the PDF file is what you actually need. It provides the final numbers, schedules, and forms required for your records, preparing the current year's return, or performing an analysis. The .tax file is merely the behind-the-scenes worksheet.

Method 1: The Simplest Solution — Ask for the PDF

The most direct and professional way to get the information you need is to ask the person who sent you the .tax file to resend it as a PDF. This approach avoids any technical workarounds and ensures you receive a copy of what was actually filed with the tax authorities.

Clients often don't know the difference and may have just attached the first file they found. A simple, clear request solves the problem immediately. You can send a brief email like this:

"Thank you for sending your prior-year tax file. The .tax file you sent is a proprietary TurboTax data file. Could you please send me the PDF copy of your tax return instead? The PDF is the finalized version of what was submitted to the IRS and will have a filename ending in .pdf. You should be able to find it in your TurboTax account or saved on your computer where you saved your tax documents. Thank you!"

This explains the issue clearly, tells the client exactly what you need, and guides them on how to find it. Nine times out of ten, this is the only step you will need to take.

Method 2: Accessing the Return Through the TurboTax Online Account

If your client can't find the PDF on their computer, the easiest place for them to retrieve it is from their online TurboTax account. TurboTax retains copies of previously filed returns for several years, which registered users can access at any time.

You can guide your client with these simple instructions, empowering them to get you what you need without you having to handle their account credentials.

Step-by-Step Guide for Your Client

1. Sign In: Go to the TurboTax website and sign in with the email address and password they used to file their taxes.
2. Access the Tax Home: Once logged in, they should land on the "Tax Home" page. You can direct them to find the section for their prior-year returns.
3. Select the Year: Find the specific tax year you need from the list of available returns.
4. Download Documents: There should be an option like "Download/print return (PDF)" or "View all tax returns." They can click this to view, download, and save the full PDF copy of their return.
5. Send it to You: Once downloaded, they can simply attach that PDF to an email to send it to you securely.

This process is straightforward and keeps the client in control of their own data, which is ideal from a security and liability perspective.

Method 3: Finding the Right Year's PDF Viewer

TurboTax has historically offered a "view-only" or "free look" feature for its past desktop versions. This route is more complex because it depends on the exact tax year of the file.

Crucially, you must use the software for the exact same year as the tax file. A 2023 version of TurboTax cannot open a 2021 tax file, and vice-versa.

This option is less about opening the file for editing and more about running it through the software to generate a viewable or printable copy. TurboTax may provide free access hubs or online viewers, but these often have limitations and may require your client to log in with their credentials.

Method 4: Manually Extracting Data for Your Professional Software

If you have the PDF but need the data imported into your own professional software suite—such as ProSeries, Drake Tax, or Lacerte—you don't need the .tax file at all. Most professional tax preparation software includes PDF data extraction tools.

These features use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or data reading technology to scan a PDF of a prior-year Form 1040 and pull key information directly into a new return. You can use it to "read" the TurboTax-generated PDF and automatically populate fields for names, addresses, dependents, and key prior-year numbers. While not always perfect, it saves significant time on manual data entry for a new client.

Check your software’s help documentation for features named like "PDF Import," "Scan and Populate," or "Data Extraction" to see if this is an option for you.

What Information Should You Look For?

Once you successfully obtain the PDF copy of the return, your goal shifts from accessing the file to analyzing its contents. As a professional, you're not just looking at last year's tax liability; you are searching for continuity and planning opportunities.

Key items to verify immediately include:

• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): You'll need the prior-year AGI for e-filing verification.
• Carryovers: Look closely for capital loss carryforwards (Schedule D), Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryforwards, and charitable contribution carryovers (Schedule A).
• Depreciation Schedules: If the client has a business or rental property, verify the depreciation schedules (Form 4562) to ensure assets are carried over correctly into your system with the proper basis and remaining life.
• State-Specific Data: Check for state and local tax (SALT) refund credits or state-specific carryovers that might affect the current year's state return.
• Estimated Tax Payments: Note any estimated payments made for the previous year and see how they match up with what was claimed.
• Basis Information: Look for documentation related to stock basis (Form 8949) or basis in partnerships or S-corps (Schedule K-1), as this is fundamental for future transactions.

Final Thoughts

While you can't simply click open a .tax file without the right version of TurboTax, accessing the critical financial information within it is very achievable. The fastest and most reliable method is to obtain the PDF copy of the return, which is the official final document that serves as the basis for professional review and future tax preparation.

As you onboard a client and review their prior-year returns, new questions about the taxability of certain items or complex state filing requirements are sure to come up. We built Feather AI to handle exactly these situations, providing instant, citation-backed answers from authoritative IRS and state sources. This allows you to quickly verify the correct treatment for carryover items or unique tax situations without hours of manual research.