How do I export Quickbooks online into TurboTax Business (Windows desktop)? Please tell me I do not have to buy QB desktop.

Thanks. I was able to follow along in the process. The tools are quite fickle and I found myself restarting, rebooting, trying again and again, and finally the files were able to load, just after repeating the same instructions.

@alex-xander 

You may utilize the trial period of a bookkeeping app to export QBO data to TurboTax. You don't need to install the trial license of QB Desktop.

I need help with this procedure. Two questions:

1.  Which QB Desktop version to download as a free trial?  Choices are: Quickbooks Pro 2021 or Quickbooks Desktop Enterprise 21.0?  I figure the Mac version is NA since I need Windows to run TurboTax Business.  I tried both versions with no joy.  

I was able to succesfully download Quickbooks Desktop Migration Tool, and I have the QBMXL file ready to go.  However.....

2.  When you open QB Desktop for the first time you have to do some kind of company setup, even if you open it as an adminstrator per the instructions.  I created a dummy company to get throught the first screens, and then hit File --> Close Company.  However, when I went to inport the QBMXL file, I get an error in QB Desktop saying:

"Quickbooks already has a company file open.  If you want to open another company file, close this one first".

But I CLOSED THE COMPANY FILE!  What am I missing?

Super frustrated here.

I need help with this procedure. Two questions:

1.  Which QB Desktop version to download as a free trial?  Choices are: Quickbooks Pro 2021 or Quickbooks Desktop Enterprise 21.0?  I figure the Mac version is NA since I need Windows to run TurboTax Business.  I tried both versions with no joy.  

I was able to succesfully download Quickbooks Desktop Migration Tool, and I have the QBMXL file ready to go.  However.....

2.  When you open QB Desktop for the first time you have to do some kind of company setup, even if you open it as an adminstrator per the instructions.  I created a dummy company to get throught the first screens, and then hit File --> Close Company.  However, when I went to inport the QBMXL file, I get an error in QB Desktop saying:

"Quickbooks already has a company file open.  If you want to open another company file, close this one first".

But I CLOSED THE COMPANY FILE!  What am I missing?

Super frustrated here.

Hello there, Studegbagel.  

Another user might have opened the same company file that's why you're seeing the error. You can use the QuickBooks File Doctor to isolate the issue. For more details, you can click here.   

If you're still unable to open your company file and migrate to TurboTax, I'd suggest reaching out to our Phone Support Team.

Keep me posted on how this works. Take care and have a great day!

@Studegbagel 

For your additional reference

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/import-or-export-data-files/export-and-convert-you...

If you still hit the wall, explore the trial period of the bookkeeping app as I mentioned earlier to export data to TurboTax without installing QBD.

Very appreciative of the responses and the help.

I usesd the File Doctor and I was able to successfully import the files, so it seemed like life was all good!  TurboTax told me 'success!' your files have been imported.

However.....turns out the initial request to import the data really only covered the administrative information (I think).  As I got farther into the step-by-step procedure I got the screen that said "We've already imported the business info for <my company>.  Now we'll import your financial info."  

Well then I'm right back where I started, and couldn't get the file to import.  I kept getting into screens about password protection and multi user.  I tried going back to where I was before, File Doctor, QB Tool Hub, etc. but no joy.

At this point I was so frustrated I chose to enter my financials manually.  Maybe I could have gotten there but it was taking forever.

Sorry Intuit but you should be better than this. 

In hindsight I never ever should have gone with QB Online.  Other than saving hard drive space I don't know why anyone would opt for this product - it doesn't play well in the Intuit eco system!    

On top of not being able to export to my TurboTax business, suppose I want to export company QB data to an accountant or advisor?  While I guess it's not impossible, it's pretty darn close.

Make them play nicer together!

When is Intuit going to finally fix this? It's been a problem for years! You push buying QBO, but then make it an obstacle course to work with TurboTax, another of your own products! I could see it if it was someone else's product we're trying to import to, but this just seems like a matter of Intuit not prioritizing the needs of their users.

Every year, this same question is asked by many so many of us. And every year, the response is the same. "There's no easy way to do it."

I agree.  When will QBO get their act together.  Are we in the 1990's?  Please work on this and have an easy path to export data and import it.  It's not that complicated.

I can not ever get to the download link.  I keep getting a trial for Quickbooks Online.  I am really regretting using QBO and TurboTax!!  

@john40-_ 

Another option, utilize the trial version of a 3rd party app to integrate with your QBO and export the TXF file for TurboTax. You don't need to install QB Desktop to do this.

I'm not aware of any and have looked each year. So, unless you know of one specifically, I'm still at a loss.

Either way, it's still a poor business practice on Intuit's part not to integrate QBO and Turbotax.

@emeraldlake 

Check your PM. Hope it helps.

Thanks. I'll check.

Useless instructions as always.  Poorly written and inaccurate.  

• QB Destop Install Instructions are not the same.  
• QB Online Export Instructions are not accurate.  
• Not sure what to do now since nothing is what the instructions are telling me.

Too bad QB does not care about customers anymore since it is own by a private equity company that just wants to milk its customers' money.  I will be looking for other alternatives!!!

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@john40-_ wrote:

I will be looking for other alternatives!!!

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@john40-_ 

Do you need an alternative to QuickBooks or TurboTax?

Yes.

Are there any plans to make this easier such as a direct import of Quickbooks online into Turbotax desktop version similar to how it can connect to a brokerage account making taxes super easy.

I'm honestly quite surprised on this process, seems like a hassle to have a trial version, what about the next year after you can't get a trial.  I really only signed up for quickbooks online because I thought this was going to easy and now I'm having second thoughts about using Quickbooks online.

I think this should clearly be added to an enhancement request list to make these two products work well together after all they are owned by the same company Intuit.

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@LazyCatProducts wrote:

I thought this was going to easy and now I'm having second thoughts about using Quickbooks online.

@LazyCatProducts 

It will be easy if you can utilize the app as I mentioned earlier. Otherwise, consider using QB Desktop and deploy a private cloud if required.

Hi, Thanks... I didn't realize Apps were available. Which specific App do you suggest from Quickbooks online... there are a number of different ones and not sure what is best

@LazyCatProducts 

Check your PM. Hope it helps.

I have not been able to make this work using the QBO -> QBDT -> TT route.  How do I access this bookkeeping app that you keep mentioning.  It sounds promising, so please let me know.  Thank you.

@stocktwitsfunfun 

Check your PM . Hope it helps.