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The Ultimate Guide: How to Delete Your TurboTax Return and Start Over

Ever found yourself knee-deep in your TurboTax return, only to realize you've made a major mistake? Perhaps you imported the wrong data, chose the wrong filing status, or simply want to start fresh with a clean slate. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us! The good news is, depending on whether you're using TurboTax Online or the Desktop edition, there are ways to delete your return and begin anew.

Ready to hit the reset button on your taxes? Let's dive in!

Understanding the "Why" Behind Starting Over

Before we jump into the "how," let's briefly touch upon why you might need to delete a TurboTax return:

Incorrect Data Import: You accidentally imported last year's data or an incorrect financial file.
Wrong Product Chosen: You started with the Free Edition but realize you need Deluxe or Premier, and the upgrade process isn't working as expected.
Significant Errors: You've entered a substantial amount of incorrect information and find it easier to start from scratch than to painstakingly correct everything.
Testing Scenarios: You were running a "what if" scenario and want to clear that test return.
Privacy Concerns (Desktop): You want to ensure no trace of sensitive tax data remains on your computer.

It's important to remember that you can only delete a return if it hasn't been filed or paid for. If you've already filed your return, you'll need to look into amending it, which is a different process entirely.

Part 1: Deleting Your Return in TurboTax Online

TurboTax Online offers a straightforward "Clear & Start Over" option, but it's only available under specific conditions.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility – Have You Paid or Filed?

This is the most crucial first step. Have you already paid for your TurboTax Online product, or has your return been e-filed or printed for mail?
- If Yes (Paid/Filed): Unfortunately, you cannot simply delete and start over. You'll need to explore the option of amending your return if it has already been filed and accepted by the IRS. If you've paid but not filed, contact TurboTax support for options, as the "Clear & Start Over" feature might not be visible.
- If No (Not Paid/Not Filed): Excellent! You are in the clear to proceed with deleting your return and starting fresh.

Step 2: Accessing "Clear & Start Over"

Assuming you haven't paid or filed, follow these steps:

Sub-heading 2.1: Logging In

Go to the official TurboTax website and log in to your account.
Once logged in, you should see your in-progress tax return. Click on the button that says something like "Take me to my return" or "Continue my return".

Sub-heading 2.2: Navigating to Tax Tools

Look for the "Tax Tools" option on the left-hand side of your screen. It's usually a small link or menu item.
Clicking on "Tax Tools" will expand a sub-menu.

Sub-heading 2.3: Finding "Clear & Start Over"

Within the "Tax Tools" sub-menu, you should see an option labeled "Clear & Start Over."
Click on this option.

Sub-heading 2.4: Confirmation

TurboTax will display a confirmation message, warning you that all your entered data will be permanently deleted.
Read this carefully to ensure you understand the implications.
If you're absolutely sure, click "Yes" or "Confirm" to proceed.

Step 3: Starting a New Return

Once you've confirmed, TurboTax will clear out all the data from your current return.
You will then be prompted to select a TurboTax product (e.g., Free, Deluxe, Premier) to begin your new return from scratch.
Choose the appropriate product for your tax situation and start entering your information as if it's your very first time using TurboTax for the current tax year.

Part 2: Deleting Your Return in TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download)

The Desktop version of TurboTax handles returns as files saved on your computer. This gives you more direct control over the data.

Step 1: Understanding File Management

Unlike the online version, deleting a TurboTax Desktop return involves deleting the actual tax data file from your computer. This file typically has a .taxXXXX extension (e.g., .tax2024 for the 2024 tax year).
Be extremely careful to only delete the file you intend to, especially if you have multiple returns saved.

Step 2: Locating Your Tax File

There are a few ways to find your TurboTax data file:

Sub-heading 2.1: From Within TurboTax Software (Recommended)

Open your TurboTax Desktop software.
On the initial screen that displays your saved returns (often called "My Returns" or "Open a Return"), you should see a list of files represented by large icons.
Carefully identify the return you wish to delete. Click on it once to select it. Do NOT click "Continue" or "Open."
Once selected, press the Delete key on your keyboard.
A prompt will appear asking if you want to delete the file from TurboTax and from your computer, or just from the TurboTax display. For a complete start-over, choose to delete it from your computer as well.

Sub-heading 2.2: Via File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)

This method is more direct but requires you to know where TurboTax saves its files.
Default Location (Windows): Typically, TurboTax saves files in Documents\TurboTax.
Default Location (Mac): Usually in your Documents folder or Applications/TurboTax [Year].
Navigate to this folder using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Look for the file with the .taxXXXX extension that corresponds to the return you want to delete.
Right-click on the file and select "Delete" (Windows) or "Move to Trash" (Mac).
Empty your Recycle Bin/Trash afterward to permanently remove the file.

Step 3: Starting a New Return in Desktop

Once you've deleted the unwanted tax file, you can easily start a new return.
Open your TurboTax Desktop software.
Go to the "File" menu at the top of the program window.
Select "New Tax Return."
This will open a blank return, allowing you to begin your tax preparation from scratch.

Important Considerations Before Deleting

Backup, Backup, Backup! If there's any chance you might need information from the return you're about to delete (even if it's incorrect), consider saving a copy with a different name (e.g., "MyReturn_Old_Copy.tax2024") before deleting the primary file. This is especially true for Desktop users.
Year-Over-Year Transfer: If you're deleting a return in TurboTax Online because you want to start fresh without last year's data being transferred, simply clearing and starting over will achieve this. For Desktop, starting a "New Tax Return" won't automatically pull in old data unless you explicitly choose to transfer.
Subscription vs. One-Time Purchase: If you have an active TurboTax subscription, deleting a return doesn't cancel your subscription. It just clears the current year's data.
Customer Support: If you encounter any issues or are unsure about a step, do not hesitate to contact TurboTax customer support. They can guide you through the process specific to your situation.

10 Related FAQ Questions

How to: Clear my TurboTax Online return if the "Clear & Start Over" option is missing?

If you've paid for your TurboTax Online product or registered a free edition, the "Clear & Start Over" option might disappear. In this case, you may need to contact TurboTax customer support directly for assistance or consider creating a new TurboTax account with a different username and email to start completely fresh.

How to: Delete a TurboTax Desktop return if it doesn't appear in the "My Returns" list?

If a return doesn't show in your TurboTax Desktop software, it likely means the .taxXXXX file was moved or deleted outside of the program. You'll need to manually locate and delete the .taxXXXX file from your computer's file system (e.g., in your Documents\TurboTax folder) using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

How to: Start over in TurboTax if I accidentally clicked "File" but haven't actually submitted it yet?

If you clicked "File" but haven't gone through the final steps of e-filing or printing, you might still be able to use the "Clear & Start Over" option in TurboTax Online (if you haven't paid). For Desktop, simply close the program and delete the .taxXXXX file from your computer as described above.

How to: Prevent TurboTax from suggesting an old return for transfer when I want to start fresh?

When you start a new return in TurboTax Desktop, it often asks if you want to transfer data from a previous year. Simply decline this option when prompted if you wish to start entirely from scratch. In TurboTax Online, clearing and starting over effectively prevents this.

How to: Know if my TurboTax Online return has been paid for or filed?

You can usually check your payment and filing status within your TurboTax Online account. Look for sections like "My Account," "Order Details," or "Tax Home." If you see a confirmation of payment or filing, you've likely passed the point of easy deletion.

How to: Delete a TurboTax return if I have multiple versions saved?

For TurboTax Desktop, carefully review the file names and dates when you locate your .taxXXXX files. If you've saved multiple versions, make sure you're deleting the specific version you no longer want. In TurboTax Online, you typically only have one active return per tax year, but you can view and manage multiple returns if you've created them.

How to: Delete a TurboTax Mobile App return?

Deleting a return on the TurboTax mobile app often mirrors the online process. Look for a "Clear & Start Over" or similar option within the app's menu or settings, typically before you've paid or filed. If unavailable, you might need to uninstall and reinstall the app, or log in via a web browser to access more options.

How to: Avoid accidentally deleting the wrong TurboTax return?

Always double-check the tax year and any custom names you've given to your files (for Desktop users) or confirm the current active return (for Online users) before proceeding with deletion. When deleting desktop files, it's a good practice to move them to the Recycle Bin/Trash first rather than permanently deleting them immediately, giving you a chance to recover if you made a mistake.

How to: Amend my tax return if I already filed but need to correct errors?

If your return has been filed and accepted by the IRS (or state), you cannot delete it. Instead, you'll need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X for federal). TurboTax offers guidance on how to amend a return within its software, but it's a separate and more complex process than simply starting over.

How to: Reset my TurboTax software settings without deleting a return?

If you're using TurboTax Desktop and want to reset software settings without touching your tax files, you typically don't need to delete returns. Most settings are tied to the program itself, not individual tax files. If you're experiencing program issues, try reinstalling the software, but always back up your tax files first if you're concerned.

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How To Delete Turbotax Return And Start Over