How To Delete Everything On Turbotax And Start Over

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How to Delete Everything on TurboTax and Start Over: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever been knee-deep in your taxes on TurboTax, only to realize you've made a fundamental error that makes you want to wipe the slate clean and begin anew? Perhaps you entered your income incorrectly, forgot a major deduction, or simply chose the wrong product version. Don't worry, you're not alone! Many users find themselves in this predicament. The good news is that, in most cases, you can delete your current progress and start fresh.

This lengthy guide will walk you through the precise steps to clear your TurboTax data and embark on your tax filing journey with a clean slate. We'll cover both online and desktop versions, along with important considerations before you hit that "delete" button.

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

Important Pre-Deletion Considerations

Before you proceed, it's crucial to understand a few key points. Deleting your return in TurboTax is generally possible only if you haven't yet:

• Submitted Payment: If you've already paid for your TurboTax product, cleared the fee from your refund, or registered a paid product, the "Clear & Start Over" option might not be available or might require a different approach.

• E-filed Your Return: Once your return has been e-filed and accepted by the IRS (or state), you cannot simply delete it and start over. At that point, you would need to amend your return using Form 1040-X.

• Registered Your Product (for some free editions): Certain free editions might require registration before filing, which could impact the "Clear & Start Over" option.

If any of the above apply to you, don't fret! You might still have options, which we'll address in the FAQ section. For everyone else, let's get started with the step-by-step process.

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Step 1: Accessing Your TurboTax Account

The first hurdle is to get into your TurboTax account. This process differs slightly depending on whether you're using the online version or the desktop software.

For TurboTax Online Users:

1. Sign In: Open your web browser and navigate to the TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com).

2. Enter Credentials: Enter your User ID and Password to sign in to your account.

3. Open Your Return: Once logged in, you should see an option to "Continue your return" or "Take me to my return." Click on this to open the tax return you wish to delete.

For TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download) Users:

1. Launch the Program: Open the TurboTax software on your computer.

2. Open Existing File: If you've already started a return, it will likely prompt you to open it directly. If not, go to File > Open Tax Return and select the .tax file you wish to clear.

3. Identify the Return: Since desktop versions allow multiple returns, ensure you've opened the specific return you want to delete or start over with.

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Step 2: Locating the "Clear & Start Over" Option

This is where the paths for online and desktop users diverge significantly.

For TurboTax Online Users:

The "Clear & Start Over" option is usually found within the "Tax Tools" menu.

Sub-step 2.1: Navigate to Tax Tools

1. Look for the Left Menu: On the left-hand side of your TurboTax Online screen, you'll see a navigation menu.

2. Find "Tax Tools": Scroll down (if necessary) until you locate the Tax Tools option. It might be near the bottom.

3. Click to Expand: Click on Tax Tools to expand a drop-down menu.

Sub-step 2.2: Select "Clear & Start Over"

1. Choose "Clear & Start Over": From the expanded Tax Tools menu, select Clear & Start Over.

2. Confirmation Prompt: A pop-up window will appear, asking you to confirm if you are sure you want to clear your return. This is your last chance to back out before wiping your data!

3. Confirm Deletion: If you are absolutely sure, select Yes to confirm.

4. Success Message: You should then see a confirmation that your entries have been cleared. Click Continue to be prompted to select a TurboTax product and start fresh.

For TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download) Users:

The concept of "clearing and starting over" is a bit different with the desktop software, as you're working with local files. You don't "clear" a return in the same way; instead, you simply create a new return or delete the existing file from your computer.

Option A: Starting a New Return (Recommended for most cases)

This is often the simplest and safest approach.

1. Go to File Menu: In the TurboTax Desktop program, go to the File menu at the top left of the screen.

2. Select "New Tax Return": Choose the New Tax Return option.

3. Save (Optional): You might be prompted to save your current (problematic) return before starting a new one. It's often a good idea to save it with a distinct name (e.g., "TaxReturn2024_OLD") in case you need to refer to it later.

4. Begin Fresh: A completely new, blank tax return will open, allowing you to start from scratch.

Option B: Deleting the Tax File Manually (Use with Caution!)

This permanently removes the .tax file from your computer. Only proceed if you are absolutely certain you no longer need the data.

1. Close TurboTax: Ensure the TurboTax program is completely closed.

2. Locate the File:

   • Windows: Tax files are typically stored in Documents > TurboTax > [Tax Year]. For example, Documents > TurboTax > 2024.

   • Mac: Files are generally in your Documents folder or wherever you saved them.

   • Look for files ending with .tax[year], e.g., .tax2024.

3. Delete the File: Right-click on the .tax file you wish to delete and select Delete (or drag it to the Recycle Bin/Trash).

4. Empty Recycle Bin/Trash: For permanent deletion, remember to empty your Recycle Bin or Trash.

5. Restart TurboTax: When you reopen TurboTax, the deleted file will no longer appear, and you can start a new return.

Important Note for Desktop Users: If you previously transferred data from a prior year's return and then chose to "Start a New Return," the previous year's data might still transfer over. If you want to prevent this, you might need to manually clear the transferred data within the new return or delete the old return file completely as described in Option B.

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Step 3: Confirming and Restarting Your Tax Journey

Regardless of whether you're using TurboTax Online or Desktop, once you've initiated the "clear" or "new return" process, you'll be presented with the initial screens as if you were using TurboTax for the very first time.

1. Select Your Product: Choose the TurboTax product that best suits your tax situation (e.g., Free Edition, Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed).

2. Begin Data Entry: Start entering your personal information, income, deductions, and credits from scratch.

3. Double-Check: This time, pay extra close attention to your inputs! Take your time to ensure accuracy.

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What Happens When You "Clear & Start Over" or Delete a Return?

• Data Erased (Online): For TurboTax Online, all the information you entered into that specific tax return will be permanently erased. There's no undo button for this.

• File Deleted (Desktop): For TurboTax Desktop, deleting the .tax file means the entire file is gone from your computer.

• Account Remains (Online): Your TurboTax account itself (your username and password) will not be deleted. You can always sign in again to start a new return. TurboTax generally retains your account information in case you want to use their services in future years.

• No IRS Impact: If you haven't filed, deleting your return has no impact whatsoever on your tax obligations with the IRS or state tax authorities. They won't know you started a return and then deleted it.

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10 Related FAQ Questions

How to delete a single form in TurboTax?

To delete a specific form in TurboTax Online, navigate to Tax Tools > Tools > Delete a Form. In TurboTax Desktop, go to Forms mode, locate the form, and use the delete option (often a trash can icon or right-click to delete).

How to recover a deleted TurboTax return?

For TurboTax Online, if you used "Clear & Start Over," the data is generally irrecoverable. For TurboTax Desktop, if you deleted the file from your computer, check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). If it's emptied, recovery might require data recovery software, which isn't guaranteed.

How to clear imported data from a previous year in TurboTax?

If you imported data and want to clear only that, not the entire return, you generally need to delete the specific entries or forms where the imported data resides. There isn't usually a "clear imported data" button for the entire return. If you're starting fresh, "Clear & Start Over" will accomplish this.

How to switch to a lower-priced TurboTax product after starting?

If you haven't paid or filed, "Clear & Start Over" in TurboTax Online will allow you to select a different product version when you restart. For desktop, you would simply open a new return with the desired product.

How to delete a TurboTax account completely?

You generally cannot completely delete your TurboTax account itself. Intuit (the parent company of TurboTax) maintains your account for record-keeping and future use. You can, however, delete all the data within a specific tax return as described in this guide. If you wish to delete all data associated with your Intuit account across all products, you'd typically need to go through your Intuit Account Manager's data privacy settings.

How to start over on TurboTax if I already paid?

If you've already paid for TurboTax Online, the "Clear & Start Over" option is usually not available. Your best bet is to manually go through each section of your return and edit the incorrect information or delete individual entries. If the error is substantial, contacting TurboTax support might be necessary, though they generally recommend amending your return if it's already filed.

How to amend a filed TurboTax return?

If your return has already been filed and accepted, you need to amend it. In TurboTax, navigate to the "Amend" section (often found under "Tax Tools" or "File"). You'll be guided through the process of completing Form 1040-X, which corrects your original return.

How to handle multiple TurboTax returns for the same year?

For TurboTax Online, each return you start typically requires a separate account or a specific flow for multiple returns. For Desktop, you can have multiple .tax files on your computer, each representing a different return. When you open the software, it usually presents a list of your saved returns, allowing you to choose which one to work on.

How to delete TurboTax data from my mobile device?

The "Clear & Start Over" option is generally not available in the TurboTax mobile app. You will need to log in to your TurboTax account from a desktop or mobile browser to perform the "Clear & Start Over" function.

How to ensure all sensitive data is gone after deleting in TurboTax?

When you "Clear & Start Over" in TurboTax Online, your data is removed from their servers for that specific return. For Desktop, deleting the .tax file from your computer and emptying the Recycle Bin/Trash ensures it's gone from your local machine. TurboTax (Intuit) maintains strict data security protocols for any information that remains within their system (like your account details).

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