How Do I Restart My Taxes On Turbotax

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Tax season can be a bit of a maze, and sometimes you might find yourself needing a fresh start on your TurboTax return. Maybe you made a few wrong turns, decided a different filing status is better, or simply want to erase everything and begin anew with a clear head. Whatever the reason, restarting your taxes on TurboTax is generally straightforward, provided you haven't already paid, registered your product, or filed your return. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, helping you navigate the restart with ease.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Let's Restart Your Taxes on TurboTax!

Hey there, tax warrior! Are you staring at your TurboTax screen, feeling a mix of frustration and a strong urge to hit the "reset" button? Perhaps you've entered some information incorrectly, realized you're on the wrong product version, or just want to wipe the slate clean and start your tax journey fresh for the current year. Don't panic! You're not alone, and thankfully, TurboTax has a built-in feature to help you do exactly that. Let's get you back on track to a stress-free tax filing experience.

Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation

Before you click any buttons, it's crucial to understand your current standing with your TurboTax return. This will determine the exact method you need to employ for a successful restart.

Sub-heading: Are You Using TurboTax Online or Desktop Software?

The steps for restarting differ slightly depending on whether you're using the online version of TurboTax (accessed through your web browser) or the desktop software (installed on your computer).

TurboTax Online: This is the most common scenario. If you're working directly in your web browser, the "Clear & Start Over" option is your go-to.
TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download): If you have the software installed, you'll be dealing with local files on your computer. Restarting here often involves deleting or renaming the specific tax file.

Sub-heading: Have You Paid, Registered, or Filed Your Return Yet?

This is the most critical question. The "Clear & Start Over" option in TurboTax Online is available only if you have not yet:

Paid for your TurboTax Online product.
Registered your TurboTax Online product.
E-filed or mailed your tax return.

If you have already performed any of these actions, you generally cannot simply "clear and start over." Instead, you would need to amend your return after it has been processed (if filed), or manually edit the existing return. This guide focuses on restarting before these actions.

Step 2: Locating the "Clear & Start Over" Option (TurboTax Online Users)

If you're using TurboTax Online and meet the criteria in Step 1 (i.e., you haven't paid, registered, or filed), then this is your path to a fresh start.

Sub-heading: Accessing Your Return

Sign In: Go to the TurboTax website and sign in to your account.
Open Your Return: If you're not automatically taken to your current tax return, click on the "Continue" or "Take me to my return" button.

Sub-heading: Navigating to "Tax Tools"

Look for the Left-Hand Menu: On the left side of the screen, you should see a navigation menu.
Find "Tax Tools": Scroll down the left-hand menu. You're looking for an option called "Tax Tools." It might be near the bottom of the menu.
Click to Expand: Click on "Tax Tools" to expand a sub-menu.

Sub-heading: Selecting "Clear & Start Over"

Choose the Option: Within the "Tax Tools" sub-menu, you will see an option labeled "Clear & Start Over" (or something similar like "Clear and Start Over").
Confirm Your Decision: TurboTax will prompt you with a confirmation message, usually stating that this action will erase all data for the current year's return. Read this carefully! Make sure you truly want to delete everything and start fresh.
Click "Yes" or "Confirm": If you're absolutely sure, confirm your decision.

Voila! Your return will be wiped clean, and you'll be directed back to the beginning of the tax filing process, ready to input your information from scratch.

Step 3: Restarting Your Taxes (TurboTax Desktop Users)

If you're using the downloaded or CD version of TurboTax, the process is different because your tax file is stored locally on your computer. There isn't a direct "Clear & Start Over" button within the software that wipes the current file. Instead, you'll manage the file itself.

Sub-heading: Understanding Local Files

When you work on TurboTax Desktop, your tax return is saved as a file on your computer, typically with a .tax extension (e.g., My2024Taxes.tax2024).
To "restart," you essentially need to either delete this file or start a new one and then delete the old one.

Sub-heading: Method 1: Deleting the Tax File (If it's the only return)

Close TurboTax: Make sure TurboTax Desktop is completely closed.
Locate Your Tax Files:
- Windows: By default, TurboTax files are usually stored in your Documents folder, within a TurboTax subfolder (e.g., C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\TurboTax\2024).
- Mac: They are often found in your Documents folder.
- If you're unsure, you can use your computer's search function and look for files ending in .tax2024 (or whatever the current tax year is).
Identify the Incorrect File: Find the .tax file that corresponds to the return you want to restart. It will likely be named something descriptive like [Your Name] [Year] Tax Return.tax2024.
Delete the File: Right-click on the file and select "Delete" (or drag it to the Recycle Bin/Trash).
Empty Recycle Bin/Trash (Optional but Recommended): To ensure it's completely gone, empty your Recycle Bin or Trash.
Re-open TurboTax: Launch TurboTax Desktop again. It should open to the initial "Welcome" screen, allowing you to start a brand new return.

Sub-heading: Method 2: Starting a New Return and Deleting the Old One (If you have multiple returns)

If you have multiple returns in your TurboTax Desktop account and only want to restart one, you might find it easier to create a new, blank return first.

Open TurboTax Desktop: Launch the software.
Start a New Return: Look for an option like "Start a New Tax Return" or "File a New Return." This will create a fresh, blank .tax file.
Go to "File" Menu: Once the new return is open, go to the "File" menu at the top of the screen.
Select "Open Tax Return": This will usually show you a list of all tax files saved on your computer.
Identify and Delete: Locate the old, incorrect tax file you want to restart. You should see an option to delete it directly from this "Open Tax Return" window (often a small trash can icon or a "Delete" button next to the file name).
Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete the selected file.
Continue with New Return: You can now proceed with your freshly created, blank return.

Step 4: Double-Check Before You Proceed

Regardless of whether you're using TurboTax Online or Desktop, before you dive into entering all your information again, take a moment to ensure everything is reset as you intended.

For TurboTax Online: Check that the initial interview questions are appearing, and no previous data is populating.
For TurboTax Desktop: Verify that you're working on a completely blank return by checking the top of the screen or the file name.

It's always a good idea to have all your tax documents readily available (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) before you begin any tax preparation.

Important Considerations and When You Cannot Simply Restart

While the "Clear & Start Over" option is incredibly useful, it's vital to remember its limitations:

Once Paid or Filed: As reiterated, if you've already paid for your TurboTax Online product, deducted the fee from your refund, registered the product, or successfully e-filed/mailed your return, the "Clear & Start Over" option will not be available. At this point, if you need to make changes, you'll likely need to amend your return.
Desktop Software Specifics: For desktop software, deleting the file means it's gone. Make sure you're deleting the correct file. Consider making a backup of the original file if you're unsure, just in case you need to revert to it.
Product Downgrades: Sometimes, you might want to restart because you realize you're on a higher-priced TurboTax product than you need. The "Clear & Start Over" functionality in TurboTax Online often allows you to return to the Free Edition or a lower-priced product if you haven't paid. TurboTax Desktop versions are generally standalone purchases, so downgrading would involve purchasing a different version.

10 Related FAQ Questions

Here are 10 frequently asked questions about restarting your taxes on TurboTax, along with quick answers:

How to: Clear my TurboTax Online return if I can't find "Tax Tools"?

If "Tax Tools" isn't visible, try scrolling down the left-hand menu. Sometimes it's minimized or further down the page. Ensure you are within your open tax return, not on the main account page.

How to: Restart my state tax return in TurboTax Desktop?

You can generally restart a state return within TurboTax Desktop by navigating to the state section and looking for an option to delete or clear the state return data. It usually doesn't require deleting the entire federal return.

How to: Restart if I accidentally paid for TurboTax Online?

If you've already paid, you cannot use "Clear & Start Over." You will need to manually edit your existing return to make corrections. Contact TurboTax support if you believe you paid in error and need assistance.

How to: Delete an old, unused tax return from a previous year in TurboTax Online?

Log in to TurboTax Online, go to "My Returns" or "View all tax returns." You should see a list of your returns, and typically a small trash can icon next to the returns you can delete.

How to: Restart TurboTax Desktop if the file is corrupted?

If your TurboTax Desktop file is corrupted, you'll need to delete the corrupted .tax file from your computer (as described in Step 3, Method 1) and then start a new return. Ensure you have backups of your original data.

How to: Change my TurboTax product (e.g., from Deluxe to Free) without restarting everything?

In TurboTax Online, if you haven't paid or filed, you might be able to downgrade your product directly without clearing your data. Look for an option to "Change product" or "Downgrade" within the program, often found under "Tax Tools" or in the pricing/payment section.

How to: Recover a deleted TurboTax Desktop file?

If you recently deleted a TurboTax Desktop file, check your computer's Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). If it's still there, you can restore it. If not, and you don't have a backup, the data is likely unrecoverable.

How to: Restart a return if I've already e-filed it?

If you've already e-filed your return and it has been accepted by the IRS, you cannot restart or retrieve it. You will need to amend your tax return to make any changes.

How to: Find my tax files on my computer for TurboTax Desktop?

On Windows, they are typically in C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\TurboTax\Year. On Mac, check your Documents folder. You can also use your operating system's search function for files ending in .tax[year].

How to: Get help if I'm stuck trying to restart my TurboTax return?

If you encounter issues, the best resource is TurboTax's official support website (ttlc.intuit.com) or their customer service line. They have extensive FAQs, forums, and live support options.

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