The default location for TaxAct Professional Edition files is:
C:\TaxAct\TaxAct [20XX*] Professional [Preparer's] Edition\Client Data\[Practice ID]
(Where XX is the last two digits of the TaxAct program year.)
When you find the file, make sure the TaxAct program is closed, and Double-click the file to open it in the TaxAct program.
If you don't find the file in the default location, try the steps below to recover your file.
Search your local computer or network:
In the taskbar at the bottom of your computer screen, click in the field that says Type here to search
Then type "file explorer", and click Open.
If you saved your return file to another location manually or have changed the default location of your return files, search that location in file explorer.
Search any other potential storage locations, different drive letter ( D: drive), USB drive, backup server, or shared location (if using the TaxAct Enterprise Edition).
Do a general search for 1040 return files by using the file extension of ".taX" where "X" represents the last digit of the year (".ta3" for 2023, ".ta4" for 2024, etc.). For other return types:
tcX = 1120
tpX = 1065
tsX = 1120-S
teX = 1041
txX = 990
When you find the file, make sure the TaxAct program is closed, and Double-click the file to open it in the TaxAct program.