# TurboTax import guide: what you can bring in and how

Source: https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer
Publisher: Tax Software Desk (taxsoftwaredesk.com), independent editorial site
Topic: Imports, Files and Transfers
Last updated: 2026-09-19

> TurboTax import works in four ways: a W-2 import using your employer's EIN from box b, a 1099 import from a partner bank or broker, an upload of a PDF, JPG or PNG of a form, and a transfer of last year's return from a TurboTax file or another company's PDF. Anything that will not import can be typed in by hand.

## Key facts

- W-2 import key: Employer EIN from box b
- 1099 imports ready: Most by Jan 31; 1099-B by Feb 15 (2026 season)
- Upload file types: PDF, JPEG or PNG
- Brokerage import limit: 10,000 transactions; 4 MB file
- Prior-year returns in Online: Past seven years

## What can I import into TurboTax?

A TurboTax import is any route that fills a form on your return from an outside source instead of your keyboard. Intuit's help pages describe four: a direct W-2 import from a payroll company, a direct 1099 import from a bank or brokerage, an upload of a document image or PDF, and a transfer of last year's return.

Each route has its own gatekeeper. Direct imports only work with companies Intuit lists as import partners. Uploads depend on TurboTax reading the file. Transfers depend on the file type and on which year and product created it.

The table below is the short version of this whole guide. Each row links to a page that covers that import in detail.

## How TurboTax import works for W-2s

To use TurboTax import for a W-2, go to Income in the Federal section, open the W-2 screen, choose Work on my W-2, and type the Employer Identification Number (EIN) from box b. An EIN has nine digits in the pattern NN-NNNNNNN. If the payroll company is a partner, TurboTax shows a screen saying it can import your W-2 and asks for details to confirm your identity.

Intuit lists two other values that can be requested: the box 1 wages figure and, in some cases, the control number in box d. If box 1 is not handy, Intuit suggests the year-to-date gross federal wages from your final pay stub of the year.

### When your employer is not recognized

If the EIN does not match a partner, you have three fallbacks: snap a photo of the W-2 with the TurboTax mobile app, upload a PDF, JPEG or PNG from your computer, or type the boxes in yourself. Uploads are read by TurboTax and dropped into the form, but you should still compare every box against the paper copy.

Intuit also notes a timing window. W-2 imports may not work in December or early January because payroll companies have not posted the forms, and some payroll services switch imports off from April onward.

## TurboTax import 1099 forms from banks and brokers

The TurboTax import 1099 feature pulls forms straight from a financial institution after you sign in to that institution inside TurboTax. Intuit lists the importable forms as 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-R, 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC.

| Form | Likely importable by |
| --- | --- |
| 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-OID, 1099-R, 1099-NEC | January 31, 2026 |
| 1099-MISC without entries in boxes 8 or 10 | January 31, 2026 |
| 1099-B and 1099-MISC with entries in boxes 8 or 10 | February 15, 2026 |
| Corrected or late brokerage forms | Late February, March or later |

When 1099 imports opened in the 2026 filing season (Intuit)

Intuit has not yet published the equivalent dates for the 2027 season (tax year 2026 forms); it usually posts them on the same help article in January. Several forms cannot be imported at all: 1099-A, 1099-C, 1099-G, 1099-LTC, 1099-PATR, 1099-Q, 1099-S, 1099-SA, RRB-1099 and SSA-1099. Those are always uploaded or entered by hand.

### Transaction and file limits

According to Intuit, TurboTax Online and Desktop both handle up to 10,000 transactions in any combination, TurboTax Online handles up to 4,000 non-covered transactions, and an import file can be no larger than 4 MB. Very active traders can enter sales totals by category instead, or use Desktop. Uploading a brokerage PDF has its own quirks, covered in [importing a 1099 PDF into TurboTax](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer/turbotax-import-pdf-1099).

## Where to check TurboTax import partners

TurboTax import partners are the payroll companies, banks and brokerages that have agreed to send tax data directly to TurboTax. Intuit publishes the list on its partner page, with a separate 1099/1098 Partners tab for financial institutions.

- Search for the exact legal name printed on your form, not the brand you know. Intuit warns that several partners share similar names, such as many banks called First National Bank.
- Some firms use a different name for their investment arm than for their bank.
- A partner can still fail to deliver your form if you have not enabled third-party access in your online account there.

If your employer or institution is missing from the list, no setting in TurboTax will make a direct import work. Go straight to upload or manual entry.

## TurboTax import PDF uploads and photos

A TurboTax import PDF upload reads the form image and fills in the matching boxes. Intuit accepts PDF, JPEG and PNG files for W-2 uploads, and PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG for investment forms. It is the right choice when your payroll company or bank is not a partner but you have an electronic copy of the form.

Uploads fail most often for three reasons: the PDF is password protected, it is a scan of a paper copy rather than a PDF the issuer generated, or it is a long consolidated statement mixing several forms. A consolidated brokerage statement can be split so only the relevant pages are uploaded, a technique Intuit describes for Form 1099-DA and explained on our [Form 1099-DA in TurboTax](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer/form-1099-da-turbotax) page.

> **Crypto and payment app forms:** Digital asset forms have their own import path through exchange sign-in. Payment app forms follow a separate reporting test; the Form 1099-K threshold for payment apps and online marketplaces is more than $20,000 in more than 200 transactions (IRS). Forms 1099-K are uploaded or typed like any other non-partner form.

## Can TurboTax import last year's return from another program?

Yes, within limits. TurboTax Online accepts a PDF of last year's Form 1040 or 1040-SR from companies Intuit names, including H&R Block, Credit Karma, TaxAct, ezTaxReturn, TaxSlayer and Liberty Tax or Tax Brain. TurboTax Desktop accepts PDFs created in H&R Block or TaxAct software, and Intuit says Form 1040-SR is not supported for PDF transfer in Desktop.

If you used TurboTax last year, you do not need a PDF. TurboTax Online carries your data forward when you sign in with the same user ID, and Desktop reads the prior-year tax data file. The step-by-step versions are on [TurboTax import previous year](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer/turbotax-import-previous-year).

| Last year you used | TurboTax Online | TurboTax Desktop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TurboTax Online, same account | Transfers automatically | Download the .tax file from Online first |
| TurboTax Desktop | Tax Tools, Tools, transfer the .tax file | Transfer Return button on a new return |
| H&R Block or TaxAct software | Upload the Form 1040 PDF | Upload the PDF (not 1040-SR) |
| Credit Karma, TaxSlayer, others | Upload the Form 1040 PDF | Type it in |

Last year's return: which source works where

## Moving data between products and computers

TurboTax Desktop stores each return as a tax data file, by default in the TurboTax folder under Documents. That file is what you copy to a new computer, what TurboTax Online can read when you switch from Desktop, and what error 190 is about when a file needs state forms you have not installed. Our page on the [TurboTax tax file](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer/turbotax-tax-file) explains the extensions and locations.

Moving the software and your files to a new PC or Mac is covered in [TurboTax transfer to new computer](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer/turbotax-transfer-to-new-computer). If you are leaving TurboTax for another product, read [importing a TurboTax return into H&R Block](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer/import-turbotax-to-hr-block) before you cancel anything, because you will want a PDF of every year first.

## Why is my TurboTax import not working?

Most failed imports come down to one of six causes that Intuit lists: the institution is not a partner, the wrong partner was picked, the form is not released yet, third-party access is off at the institution, the browser blocked the data handoff, or the file broke a size or transaction limit. A VPN or strict antivirus can also block the connection.

Work through the fixes in [TurboTax import not working](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer/turbotax-import-not-working). If the import went through but a form keeps showing a review flag, the cause is usually a missing box such as cost basis, not the import itself.

## Printing and saving copies of what you imported

Keep a copy of the source form and the finished return together. In TurboTax Online, past returns for the last seven years are under Your tax returns & documents on Tax Home, with a Download/print return (PDF) option; see [download a prior-year tax return from TurboTax](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/import-transfer/download-prior-year-tax-return-turbotax). Desktop users save a PDF from the File menu.

The PDF you save this year is also next year's import source if you ever switch products, so store it outside the TurboTax folder as well. If the PDF will not open or print, try saving it to your computer first and opening it in a separate PDF reader rather than the browser.

> **Independence:** Tax Software Desk is independent and is not affiliated with Intuit, H&R Block, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer, Block Inc. (Cash App Taxes), Wealthsimple, UFile or any other software company.

## Common questions

### Can TurboTax import my W-2 automatically?

Only if your employer's payroll company is a TurboTax import partner. Enter the EIN from box b on the W-2 screen; if TurboTax recognizes it, it offers the import. Otherwise upload a PDF or photo or type the form in.

### Which 1099 forms can TurboTax import?

Intuit lists 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-R, 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC from partner institutions. Forms such as 1099-G, 1099-S, 1099-Q and SSA-1099 cannot be imported and must be uploaded or typed.

### Can TurboTax import a PDF from H&R Block?

Yes. Both TurboTax Online and Desktop accept a PDF of last year's return made in H&R Block software. The PDF must be an electronic copy, not a scan, and it cannot be password protected.

### Is it safe to import tax forms into TurboTax?

The direct import happens through a sign-in at your bank, broker or payroll company, so you are using that company's own login page. Whichever route you use, check each imported box against your paper or PDF form before filing.

### What is the file size limit for a TurboTax brokerage import?

Intuit lists a 4 MB file limit and up to 10,000 transactions in total, with TurboTax Online capped at 4,000 non-covered transactions.

### When will 1099 imports be available for the 2027 season?

Intuit has not yet published 2027 dates. In the 2026 season most 1099s were importable by January 31 and 1099-B forms by February 15, and Intuit usually updates its help article in January.

## Sources

- [How do I import or enter my W-2?](https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/import-enter-w-2/L55HzdeDr_US_en_US)
- [How do I import my 1099s?](https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/import-1099s/L2hPcduMb_US_en_US)
- [What if I can't import my 1099?](https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/banking/import-1099/L73REMMxe_US_en_US)
- [How do I transfer last year's return into TurboTax Online?](https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-year-return-turbotax-online/L279eUvY2_US_en_US)
- [Can I transfer last year's PDF into TurboTax Desktop?](https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-year-pdf-2021-turbotax-windows-cd/L3EOuaOAL_US_en_US)
- [Understanding your Form 1099-K](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-form-1099-k)