---
title: "1040 - Transfer a Return to Another Software Installation"
canonical: "https://support.crosslinktax.com/space/CSC/1869285704/1040%20-%20Transfer%20a%20Return%20to%20Another%20Software%20Installation"
format: markdown
---
> ℹ️ This article demonstrates how to transfer a tax return to another software install. Use Transfer Return to copy a tax return to a different installation. When you transfer a tax return, you back up a copy of the tax return and restore it on another computer. To transfer the return, you’ll need to have access to portable media.

> 📝 *Portable media can include USB drives and writable CD/DVD. The transfer file can also be sent via email (subject to attachment file size limitations) or saved to FTP/cloud storage.*

 

**Follow the instructions below to successfully transfer a return to another software installation:**

**Step 1: Transfer the return**

1. Open the **return to be transferred**.

2. On the **Return** menu, click **Transfer Return**. The Transfer Returns dialog appears.

3. In the **File Name** box, type the folder where you want to save the tax return file.

**Example:** x:\filename.xf# (# represents the tax year for example tax year 2018 will be .xf8)

4. In the **Label** box, type a description for the tax return.

5. Check the **Include All Documents** box to have all document archive files included in the restored file.

6. Click **OK** and the software copies the tax return to the location you selected.

> 📝 *You can add more returns to the same .xf file by following steps 1-3, then clicking ****Append**** to add the return(s) to the existing file. Clicking ****Replace**** will overwrite the existing data with the last return being transferred.*

 

**Step 2: Restore the return**

1. Click the **Utility** menu in the software.

2. Click **Retrieve Returns**.

3. In the **Select a File to Retrieve** dialog, browse to the folder where you saved the backed-up tax return.

4. In the **Transfer File Contents** dialog, select the desired check box in the **Site** column.

5. Click **Retrieve**. The return now appears on the Lookup screen.

6. Double-click the return you want to open.