Ever been in the middle of filing your taxes on TurboTax, meticulously entering all your financial details, only to realize you've made a fundamental error that requires you to start from scratch? Perhaps you selected the wrong filing status, mistakenly included an old dependent, or just want a fresh start to ensure everything is perfect. Don't panic! It's a common scenario, and thankfully, TurboTax offers a straightforward way to restart your return.
This lengthy guide will walk you through the process of restarting your taxes on TurboTax, step by excruciatingly helpful step. We'll cover both the online and desktop versions, so no matter how you're tackling your taxes, you'll be able to clear the slate and begin anew.
How to Restart Your Taxes on TurboTax: A Comprehensive Guide
Before we dive into the steps, it's crucial to understand a few things:
When can you restart? You can typically restart your TurboTax return if you haven't paid for it yet, haven't filed it, or haven't registered the free edition. Once you've paid or filed, the "Clear & Start Over" option usually disappears.
What happens when you restart? Restarting your return will delete all the information you've entered. This means you'll be starting completely from scratch. Make sure you have all your documents readily available again!
Step 1: Determine Your TurboTax Version and Assess Your Situation
Alright, let's get started! Before you click anything, take a moment to identify which version of TurboTax you're using. Are you using the online version accessible through your web browser, or do you have the CD/Download desktop software installed on your computer? The process differs slightly for each.
Are you using TurboTax Online? This is the most common version. You access it by logging into your Intuit account on the TurboTax website.
Are you using TurboTax CD/Download (Desktop)? This involves software installed directly on your computer.
Why is this important? The "Clear & Start Over" option is primarily for the online version. If you're using the desktop software, the process is a bit different, but equally manageable.
Step 2: Restarting Your Return on TurboTax Online (The Most Common Scenario)
This section is for the majority of users who are working on their taxes through the TurboTax website.
Sub-heading 2.1: Navigating to the "Tax Tools" Section
Sign in to your TurboTax Online account. Open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.) and go to the TurboTax website. Log in using your Intuit ID and password.
Access your current tax return. Once logged in, you should see your in-progress tax return. Click on "Continue your return" or a similar option to open it.
Locate "Tax Tools." Look for a menu on the left-hand side of the program screen. You'll typically need to scroll down a bit. You should see a section or option labeled "Tax Tools." Click on it.
Sub-heading 2.2: The "Clear & Start Over" Option
Select "Clear & Start Over." After clicking "Tax Tools," a drop-down menu or sub-options will appear. Within these options, you will find "Clear & Start Over." Click on this.
Confirm your decision. A pop-up window will appear, asking you to confirm if you're sure you want to clear your return. This is your last chance to reconsider before all your entered data is erased.
Read the warning carefully! It will explicitly state that all your entries will be cleared.
If you are absolutely certain, click "Yes" or "Clear Return" (the wording might vary slightly depending on the tax year and version).
Confirmation and new beginning. TurboTax will then confirm that your entries have been cleared. You'll be presented with a fresh, blank return, ready for you to start from the very beginning.
Congratulations! You've successfully restarted your TurboTax Online return. Now you can re-enter your information with your newfound clarity.
Step 3: Restarting Your Return on TurboTax CD/Download (Desktop Software)
If you're using the desktop version of TurboTax, the concept of "restarting" is a little different, as you're working with local files. You don't "clear and start over" in the same way. Instead, you effectively create a new, blank return.
Sub-heading 3.1: Starting a New Return
Open your TurboTax Desktop software. Launch the TurboTax application on your computer.
Go to "File" and "Start New Return." In the upper-left corner of the program, look for the "File" menu. Click on it, and then select "Start New Return" from the drop-down options.
Choose a new file name and save location. The software will prompt you to save your new, blank return. Give it a distinct name (e.g., "MyTaxes2024_Restarted") and choose a location on your computer where you want to save it. This is important for keeping your files organized.
Sub-heading 3.2: Managing Old Returns (Optional but Recommended)
Do NOT delete your old file immediately! While you've started a new return, your previous return file still exists on your computer. It's often a good idea not to delete the old file immediately, especially if you think you might need to reference some information from it.
Rename or move the old file. If you want to keep your desktop organized, you can simply rename your old, problematic tax file (e.g., "MyTaxes2024_Error") or move it to a "discarded returns" folder. This way, it won't be confused with your new, clean return.
Deleting the old file (if you're absolutely sure). If you are completely confident you no longer need the old return, you can delete its file from your computer's hard drive.
Navigate to the folder where your TurboTax files are stored (usually
Documents/TurboTax/[Tax Year]).Locate the
.taxfile corresponding to the return you want to delete.Right-click on the file and select "Delete" (or drag it to the Recycle Bin/Trash).
Be absolutely certain before deleting, as this action is usually irreversible!
Step 4: Considerations and Best Practices After Restarting
Now that you've got a fresh slate, here are some tips to make the process smoother this time around:
Gather all your documents beforehand. Before you start entering data, ensure you have all your W-2s, 1099s, investment statements, mortgage interest forms, charitable donation receipts, and any other relevant tax documents compiled and organized. This minimizes interruptions and potential errors.
Take it slow and double-check. Don't rush through the questions. Read each one carefully and double-check your entries, especially for critical information like Social Security numbers, income figures, and deductions.
Utilize TurboTax's import features. If available, take advantage of TurboTax's ability to import W-2s and 1099s directly from your employer or financial institutions. This significantly reduces manual entry errors.
Save frequently. While TurboTax Online generally saves your progress automatically, it's a good habit to manually save (if the option is visible, though often not needed in online versions) or ensure your internet connection is stable. For desktop users, save your work regularly.
Understand why you restarted. Reflect on why you needed to restart in the first place. Was it a simple typo? A misunderstanding of a tax concept? Learning from the previous attempt can help prevent future mistakes.
Consider upgrading for expert help. If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure about complex tax situations, remember that TurboTax offers options like TurboTax Live, where you can get assistance from tax experts. This might be a worthwhile investment to ensure accuracy and peace of mind.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about restarting your taxes on TurboTax, along with quick answers:
How to: Check if I've already paid for TurboTax?
Answer: Log into your TurboTax account. Look for sections related to "Order History" or "Payment Information." If you've paid, it will be clearly indicated there.
How to: Know if my TurboTax return has been filed?
Answer: After you file, TurboTax sends you confirmation emails. You can also log into your account and check the status of your return; it will show as "Filed" or "Accepted by IRS."
How to: Start a brand new tax return for a different tax year?
Answer: For TurboTax Online, you'll typically be prompted to choose the tax year when you start a new return. For desktop software, you'll need to purchase and install the specific year's software.
How to: Avoid restarting my taxes due to small errors?
Answer: For small errors, you generally don't need to restart. You can navigate back to the relevant section and edit the incorrect information directly. The "Clear & Start Over" option is for major resets.
How to: Find "Tax Tools" if it's not visible on the left menu?
Answer: Try scrolling down the left-hand menu. Sometimes, depending on your screen size or current progress, it might be further down. If still not visible, try refreshing your browser or logging out and back in.
How to: Back up my TurboTax desktop file before restarting?
Answer: Before deleting any old files, simply make a copy of the .tax file and save it in a different folder or on an external drive.
How to: Contact TurboTax customer support if I'm stuck?
Answer: You can usually find contact options (phone or chat) by navigating to the "Help" or "Support" section within your TurboTax account or on the TurboTax website. The general support number is 1-800-4INTUIT (1-800-446-8848).
How to: Get a PDF copy of my current (problematic) return before clearing it?
Answer: In TurboTax Online, you can often save or print a PDF copy of your in-progress return. Look for a "Print" or "Save as PDF" option within your return.
How to: Restart if I accidentally registered the Free Edition?
Answer: If you registered the Free Edition but haven't filed, the "Clear & Start Over" option should still be available in the "Tax Tools" section.
How to: Ensure my information is securely deleted after restarting?
Answer: When you use "Clear & Start Over" in TurboTax Online, the data is removed from their servers for that specific return. If you're concerned about data privacy, you can also consider reviewing Intuit's privacy policy on their website. For desktop, deleting the file from your computer removes it from your local machine.