Can I import my prior year tax return from a different software? Yes! TaxAct makes it easy to switch, even if you used a different tax software last year. You can upload your prior-year tax return in PDF format, and we’ll pull in the details we need, which you can review for accuracy. It’s quick, seamless, and saves you time so you can focus on just getting it done.
What information gets carried over from my prior return? When you upload your prior-year tax return, key details like personal information, income, deductions, and credits are automatically carried over. This saves you from re-entering everything, reduces errors, and speeds up the process. After importing your data, you are also able to review for accuracy before filing.
How secure is my prior year tax data during the import process? The security of your data is a top priority. When you import your prior-year tax data with TaxAct, you can rest easy knowing your information is protected. We use strong encryption and security measures to help keep your data safe.
Process
Online
To import a prior year return PDF in your current year TaxAct return, follow these steps.
From within your TaxAct return, click Basic Info, then click Data Import (on smaller devices, click in the top left corner of your screen, then click Basic Info).
Below Did you use TaxAct Desktop last year?, click import your 2023 PDF return.
Click Browse, click the prior year return PDF, then click Open.
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.
The import may take a few minutes to process. Review the imported details and click Continue, or click Clear and Start Fresh, if needed.
Desktop
Go to File > Import > Prior Year PDF Data.
Click Import My 2023 Return.
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.
Drag and drop the PDF file, or browse your computer to locate the PDF of the prior year return.
Information will be imported and you will be prompted to review the documents that were imported for accuracy. Either:
Click Confirm and Continue,
Edit the details
Click Remove Imported Information.
You can also start the import by selecting New User Start when prompted Did you use TaxAct last year? when you create a new return.
What else can be imported in TaxAct?
A prior year TaxAct Online return into a current year TaxAct Online return
A prior year TaxAct Online return (PDF) into a current year TaxAct Desktop return
A prior year TaxAct Desktop return into a current year TaxAct Online or Desktop return
A CSV file for stock information with a maximum of 2000 transactions allowed
Stock account data into a current year TaxAct Online or Desktop return
A Form W-2 into a current year TaxAct Online or Desktop return
The TaxAct program does not support importing from Quicken or Quickbooks.
Issues Importing PDF's
Make sure you are using an "image with text" PDF, not an "image" PDF.
Make sure you are only importing a 1040. You cannot import a 1040NR or 1040SR.
Make sure the PDF is under 500kb.
When you create the PDF file, use the print option in the other tax program, and choose to print to PDF.
Make sure your PDF is not password-protected.
Shorten the filename to something like "2024TaxReturn.pdf" to make it a manageable name.
The file may be corrupt, and you will need to create the PDF again.
Make sure that you have a strong internet connection.
Check security settings and make sure the TaxAct program has permission to run.