TaxAct return file extensions are three characters long:
The first character is the file type:
The second character is the return type
The third character is the last digit of the tax year.
| Tax year | Return type | Backup file? | File Extension |
| 2024 | 1040 | yes | .ba4 |
| 2024 | 1040 | no | .ta4 |
| 2023 | 1065 | yes | .bp3 |
| 2023 | 1120 | no | .tc3 |
The AUTO-BACKUP folder will also contain three backup copies of the returns, and the file name will indicate whether the file is a current backup file, a daily backup file, or a weekly backup file.
Example. ".ta1_weekly.ba4" = 2024 individual tax return weekly backup file.
TaxAct backup files may be opened in the TaxAct program, but we strongly recommend you restore backup files before working on or importing return files. Only open backup files directly if you intend to restore the file and want to check the file to make sure you are restoring the correct backup file.
Importing a backup file can have unexpected results: the information may not fully import, the file extensions may be retained in the file name, and the program may not handle the imported file correctly. For example, importing a 2023 backup file to the 2024 program may result in a file ending in .ta3.ba3.ta3, .ta4.ba4, or other file endings and extensions.