Importing using TaxAct® is a quick and easy process. Please keep the following things in mind when importing:
2016 TaxAct Plus, Premium, and Professional Editions users may import a prior year return that was created with any TaxAct 2015 Desktop program. These programs will import using any desktop return file with a ".ta5" file extension.
Using TaxAct Desktop, Online, and Preparer's 1040 programs, you may also choose to import a PDF copy of your 1040 return created with another program. When choosing to import the PDF, you must have a PDF saved version of the actual return. It cannot be a return summary.
IMPORTANT: When you import a prior year return, any data that has already been entered will be overwritten. For example, by importing from a 2015 return to a 2016 return, the result will be a brand new 2016 return with only the imported data. You must import FIRST and then enter data in to the new version.
Importing prior year's return using TaxAct Desktop
Example: Importing into 2016 TaxAct
Start the current year's version of TaxAct
Click File from the menu bar
Click either Import TaxAct 2015 Return or Prior Year PDF Data from the drop down menu.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the import of your return.
After completing the import of your return, the Import Summary will allow you to review the information transferred to your new return.
Your request has been submitted
You have been successfully added to the TaxAct Do Not Sell list.