You can save time by importing last year's return into this year's return. You can import TaxAct Online returns, TaxAct Desktop returns, and PDF files created in another tax program. When you import a prior year return, anything previously entered in the current return will be overwritten. You need to import the prior year return, then edit your current year return. You can't import the prior year return if you already printed or filed the current year return.
Online
Dashboards
You are prompted to update your return from last year when you create and open your current year return the first time.
If you did not select to do so, you can get back to that import option by going to Resources > Topics Assistant > search “Import” > Select Import – Last Year > View Topic.
Select your prior-year return in the drop list and click Transfer.
Once the import is complete, the About dashboard displays showing information about your tax family (you, your spouse, and dependents, if applicable).
Verify your carryover information, make additional entries if needed, then click Continue.
The Income dashboard opens.
Income that was updated from last year shows under the My Income section. The status of each form is displayed.
Click Start to enter current year information/amounts for each updated form.
Click on the three-dot icon and select Remove from return to remove an item that is no longer needed.
Once you have entered all income items, click Continue at the bottom.
The Deductions & Credits dashboard opens. Review or add other information as needed under My Tax Breaks.
Once you have entered all deduction and credit items, click Continue at the bottom.
The Taxes & Miscellaneous dashboard opens. Review carryover information and complete any necessary information. Select from the list of other forms and add/complete as needed.
Proceed through review and filing.
Classic Navigation
From within your return, click Basic Info, then click Data Import (on smaller devices, click in the top left corner of your screen, then click Basic Info).
In the Select a 2023 tax return drop-down, select the return you want to import, then click Transfer.
You will see a notice that Importing your 2023 return into your 2024 return will remove all previously entered data in this 2024 return. Proceed? Click OK to proceed.
Confirm the information and click Continue, or click Clear and Start Fresh, if needed.
Desktop
From within your return, go to Basic Info > Import.
You can also go to File > Import > TaxAct 2023 Return.
Click Import.
Browse to the location of your prior year return and select the prior year-file.
You will see a notice that Importing your 2023 return into your 2024 return will remove all previously entered data in this 2024 return. Click OK to proceed.
Information will be imported and you will be prompted to review the documents that were imported for accuracy.