To import a prior year return from another tax program, you will need to have a PDF version of the return located on the same computer as your TaxAct program, or on external media the computer has access to (such as a USB drive). The PDF must be created from the tax software, and not as an image copy of the return (some tax software creates both kinds). The PDF should be only of the return that would be filed, i.e., should not contain forms or schedules that would not be filed, cover letter, instruction letter, etc.

In your TaxAct Professional edition follow these steps:

1. Click on File on the menu bar at the top of the TaxAct program window, then on the dropdown menu go to Import, and on the menu that pops out to the side, choose "Prior Year 1040 PDF data."
2. In the box that opens, Select PDFs, you can drag and drop the file(s) from a location, or you can click "Browse from your computer" to navigate and choose files.
3. You will then be given a Windows open file dialog box to navigate to the PDF tax return file(s). Use the address bar at the top or the navigation pane on the left to go to the location of the PDF files on the computer (C drive) or connected location (another drive letter).
4. Click on the PDF file name in the main pane, then click the Open button at the bottom.*
5. It will take a few minutes to process. Another box will open to show you progress of processing PDF(s). You will get a result for Failed or Completed.
6. Once completed, click the Continue button.
7. You will return to the Client Manager and see a box for creating returns for any successful imports with a progress bar. This may take a few or several minutes depending on how many files you imported.

To check the data you will need to open the resulting return(s). You will need to find the primary taxpayer name in the Client Manager list.

Due to numerous factors with the way PDFs are created, import cannot be guaranteed, and you should always check the data in the return.

During the import, you can cancel the with the Cancel button.

* You can choose more than one PDF to import at the same time. Hold down the Ctrl key to left-click and choose additional files, or use the Shift key and then the mouse to highlight a range, or use Ctrl + A to include all. Please be aware that each return will take a few minutes, so that will be multiplied by the number of returns. Please do NOT choose 500 or more returns at one time.

To import a prior year TaxAct return file (not a PDF), use that option from the menu bar File > Import. See the support topic on our website:

Import Last Year's Return - TaxAct Desktop