To restore a backup file:

1. Click File in the top menu, click Restore, then click Client Return(s).
2. Select Local, then click Next.
3. Click Browse to navigate to the location of your backup return file folder.
   Note. You will not see the return files in the dialog box to select the folder. You can use Windows Explorer (Windows logo key + E), outside of TaxAct, to verify the files are there if you are not certain of their location.
4. Click the folder, then click Select Folder.
5. Check the box of each return file you want to restore, or click Select All to restore all files, then click Next.
6. A box specifying the location to restore the files displays the default location, C:\TaxAct\TaxAct 20XX [Preparer’s] Professional Edition\Client Data\[Practice ID] (where XX is the specific year, for example "20" for 2020).
   Note. If the default directory is not showing, or you want to restore to a different location, click Browse, navigate to the location, click the desired folder, click Select Folder, then click Finish.
7. Press and hold these keys simultaneously to rebuild Client Manager to refresh the client list: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + P.

Restoring Preparer Master and Program Information

1. Click File in the top menu, click Restore, click Preparer's Information, then click Local.
2. Click the file with the .DAT or .DTX extension (where "X" is the last digit of the year, e.g. "8" for 2018).
   Example: pr18master.dat.dt8.
   Note. (If the final extension is not showing in your Windows setup, note the file type in the Type column. It should say "dtX file," with "X" being the last digit of the year).
3. Click Open.
4. Click Select Folder.
5. In the confirmation pop-up, click Yes or No for each file, or Yes to All or No to All.

Restoring Client Returns from TaxAct Servers (Enterprise Editions only)

Note. For 2014 editions or earlier, to restore from TaxAct servers, you must have created an online backup account and performed a backup operation with your Enterprise Edition. TaxAct Professional programs do not automatically make backups or copies of your return files on TaxAct servers. You may upgrade to the TaxAct Professional Enterprise Edition by contacting our Professional Support department at 319-731-2682.

Note. If using the Enterprise Online mode, there's no need for an additional backup function since returns are regularly backed up to TaxAct servers.

To restore from an online backup:

1. Click File in the top menu, click Restore, then click Client Return(s).
2. Select Online, then click Next.
• For the 2015 edition and newer, you will receive a box to sign into your TaxAct account. You can use the Forgot username or password? link if needed.
• For editions older than 2015, on the next box, you will type in the username and password for the online backup account you created when you backed up your files. If you've forgotten this username or password, you can use the following buttons: Forgot your Username? or Forgot you Password?. After entering your Username and Password, click Next at the bottom.
3. Check the box for each return you want to restore, or click Select All.
4. Check Restore Preparer Master Information to restore this at the same time as the return files. (Or you can go through the restore steps from the beginning, selecting the Preparer Information instead of Client Return(s).)
5. Click Next.
6. If using the 2015 edition or after, skip to step 9.
   If using editions older than 2015, the next box will prompt you for the authorization procedure (security for access to your client and preparer data). The steps are outlined there. You will be sent an e-mail with a link to click.
7. Click Authorize to begin. Once you've clicked the e-mail link and received the confirmation, return to the TaxAct program. Click Next.
8. Select the location to restore your data. The default Client Data folder location will display (C:\TaxAct\TaxAct 20XX Preparer’s Edition\Client Data\[Practice ID] (where XX is the specific year, for example 17 for 2017).
   Note. If you're sharing a client data folder on a network, you would use the path for the shared drive and the shared folder (example: Z:\Client Data).
9. Click Finish. You will be prompted to overwrite any files of the same name that exist.
   Note. Please be aware that you are restoring returns as they were at the time you performed the backup. If restoring your preparer information, there will be prompts for three or four files. You can click Yes or No for each file, or Yes to All or No to All.