You can save time by importing last year's return into this year's return. TaxAct Online allows users to 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.

How to import a prior year return in the TaxAct Online program:

Import TaxAct Online return:

1. 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).
2. Click the Select a 20XX tax return dropdown, click the return you want to import, then click Transfer.
3. If you already entered data in the current return, you will be notified that importing a prior-year return will override that data.  If this is what you want to do, click Yes, Import Last Year's Data.

Import TaxAct Desktop return:

1. 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).
2. Below Did you use TaxAct Desktop last year? click import your 20XX Desktop return.
3. Click Yes to confirm that you have your TaxAct Desktop 20XX (*.ta2) file from a previous year.
4. If a Warning: Importing a return will overwrite all previously entered data. Do you wish to continue? pop-up appears, click Ok if you want to continue.
5. Continue with the interview process to complete your prior year import.

Import a PDF from a different tax program:

• Read our article Importing from Another Tax Program.