How to Delete Your TurboTax Return and Start Over: A Comprehensive Guide
Ever been deep into preparing your taxes, only to realize you've made a crucial mistake or decided a different filing strategy would be better? It happens to the best of us! Instead of panicking, did you know that in many cases, TurboTax allows you to delete your current return and start fresh? That's right, you can wipe the slate clean and begin anew. This guide will walk you through the process, step by step, so you can confidently reset your tax journey.
Ready to take control of your tax filing? Let's dive in!
Understanding When You Can "Start Over"
Before we jump into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand the circumstances under which you can delete your TurboTax return and begin again. This functionality is primarily available if you haven't yet:
Paid for your TurboTax Online product.
Deducted the TurboTax fee from your refund.
Registered your Free Edition product.
E-filed or mailed your tax return.
If you've already completed any of these actions, a "clear and start over" option might not be available, and you might need to amend your return instead, which is a different process entirely. This guide focuses on starting fresh before filing.
Step 1: Accessing Your TurboTax Account and Locating Your Return
First things first, you need to get into your TurboTax account.
1.1 Sign In to TurboTax Online:
Open your web browser and go to the official TurboTax website.
Click on "Sign In" (usually found in the top right corner of the page).
Enter your User ID and Password to access your account. If you've forgotten them, follow the "Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Password" prompts.
1.2 Navigate to Your Current Return:
Once signed in, you'll usually land on a "Tax Home" or "Great to see you again!" screen.
You should see your in-progress tax return listed. Click on it to open or continue your return. This will take you into the interview process of your tax filing.
Step 2: Utilizing the "Clear & Start Over" Option (TurboTax Online)
This is where the magic happens for online users.
2.1 Locate "Tax Tools":
While you are actively working on your return (in the interview section), look for the "Tax Tools" option in the left-hand menu of the TurboTax program screen. You might need to scroll down to find it.
2.2 Select "Clear & Start Over":
Click on "Tax Tools."
A sub-menu will appear. From this menu, select "Clear & Start Over."
2.3 Confirm Your Decision:
TurboTax will present you with a confirmation message, typically asking, "Are you sure you want to clear your return?"
This is an important step! Read the warning carefully. It will explicitly state that all your entered data for that specific return will be erased.
If you are absolutely certain, select "Yes" to confirm.
2.4 Choose Your Product (Again):
After confirming, your entries will be cleared. You will then be prompted to select a TurboTax product again, just as you did when you first started. This allows you to start the filing process completely from the beginning.
Step 3: Starting Over with TurboTax Desktop/CD Download Version
The process for desktop users is slightly different, as your files are stored locally on your computer. You won't find a "Clear & Start Over" button within the software in the same way as the online version.
3.1 Create a New Return Within the Software:
Open your TurboTax Desktop software.
From the top menu, click on "File."
Select "New Tax Return." This will open a fresh, blank tax return. You can now begin entering your information from scratch.
3.2 Optionally Delete the Old File from Your Computer:
While creating a new return in the desktop software effectively lets you "start over," your old, incomplete return file will still exist on your computer.
To truly delete it, you'll need to navigate to where TurboTax saves its files. By default, these are usually found in your computer's "Documents" folder, within a "TurboTax" subfolder (e.g.,
Documents > TurboTax > 2024).Locate the specific tax file you wish to delete (it will have a
.taxextension, likeYourName 2024 Tax Return.tax2024).Right-click on the file and select "Delete."
Remember to empty your computer's Recycle Bin or Trash to permanently remove the file.
Important Note for Desktop Users: If you have saved your return multiple times, you might have several versions. Be sure you are deleting the correct file. It's often a good idea to rename the incorrect file (e.g., "OLD-DO-NOT-USE-MyReturn.tax2024") before you delete it, just to be sure.
Step 4: What if "Clear & Start Over" Isn't Available? (Online)
If you've already paid, registered, or filed, the "Clear & Start Over" option won't be there. In this scenario, you'll need to manually edit your return or, if it's already filed and processed, file an amended return (Form 1040-X).
4.1 Manually Editing Your Return:
If you haven't filed yet but the "Clear & Start Over" option is gone (perhaps you upgraded to a paid version or the system registered your free account), you'll need to go back through the sections of your return and delete or correct the erroneous information manually. This can be tedious if you have a lot of mistakes, but it's the only way forward without starting a brand new account (which isn't usually recommended if you're already in a paid version).
4.2 Filing an Amended Return:
If you have already filed your return (it's been accepted by the IRS), you cannot delete it and start over.
Instead, you will need to file an amended tax return using Form 1040-X. TurboTax can guide you through this process as well, but it's a separate procedure. You usually need to wait until your original return has been fully processed and you've received your refund (or paid your tax due) before amending.
Step 5: Best Practices Before Deleting and Starting Over
To avoid future headaches, consider these tips:
5.1 Double-Check Your Reason: Before you hit that "Clear & Start Over" button, take a moment to confirm why you want to start over. Is it a minor mistake that could be easily corrected by going back a few screens, or is it a fundamental issue that warrants a complete reset?
5.2 Gather All Your Documents: Having all your W-2s, 1099s, deductions, and credit information readily available before you start (or restart) will save you a lot of time and frustration. A chaotic start often leads to the desire to clear and start over!
5.3 Consider a "What If" Scenario: If you're unsure about a particular tax situation, sometimes it's helpful to complete a "dummy" return with hypothetical numbers before entering your actual data. This can help you understand the impact of different choices. (Though, be careful not to confuse your dummy return with your real one!).
5.4 Take Notes: If you had a lot of complex data entered, consider jotting down key figures or sections before you clear your return. This way, you won't have to search for every single piece of information again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to deleting your TurboTax return and starting over:
How to know if I can clear and start over? You can clear and start over in TurboTax Online if you have not yet paid for your TurboTax product, deducted fees from your refund, registered your free edition, or e-filed/mailed your return. If you have done any of these, the "Clear & Start Over" option will likely not be available.
How to find the "Tax Tools" menu in TurboTax Online? While you are in your active tax return (in the interview screens), look for the "Tax Tools" link on the left-hand side menu. You might need to scroll down to see it.
How to delete a single form instead of the entire return in TurboTax? In some cases, TurboTax Online allows you to delete individual forms. Look for an option to "Delete a form" within the "Tax Tools" menu, or navigate to the specific form and look for a delete or remove option. However, "Clear & Start Over" removes all data for that return.
How to delete a TurboTax Desktop file from my computer?
Close the TurboTax Desktop program. Go to your computer's "Documents" folder, then open the "TurboTax" subfolder (e.g., Documents > TurboTax > 2024). Locate the .tax file for the return you want to delete, right-click on it, and select "Delete."
How to start a new return in TurboTax Desktop without deleting the old one? Open your TurboTax Desktop software. Go to "File" in the top menu and select "New Tax Return." This will open a fresh, blank return for you to begin working on.
How to prevent accidentally deleting my return? Always read the confirmation messages carefully before proceeding with a deletion. For desktop users, consider backing up your tax files regularly to an external drive or cloud storage.
How to get help if I can't find the "Clear & Start Over" option? If you're unable to locate the option or are unsure, you can visit the TurboTax Help & Support website (ttlc.intuit.com) and search for "Clear & Start Over," or contact TurboTax customer support directly.
How to know if my return was already filed? You will typically receive an email confirmation from TurboTax once your return has been successfully e-filed and transmitted to the IRS. You can also check the status within your TurboTax account under "Tax Home" or "My Returns."
How to amend a return if I already filed it? If your return has been accepted by the IRS, you will need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X. TurboTax offers guidance on how to prepare and file an amended return within their software.
How to recover a deleted TurboTax return? If you used TurboTax Online and selected "Clear & Start Over," the data is permanently erased and cannot be recovered. For TurboTax Desktop, if you deleted the file from your computer and emptied your Recycle Bin/Trash, it's generally unrecoverable unless you have a backup.