Extract text from TaxAct 2020 returns (TA0)
To convert TA0 tax returns to another format, you need TaxAct or other Data software.
To convert other file formats to the "Tax Return File" file type, you need software like TaxAct or a similar tool.
A .ta0 file is a proprietary, encrypted tax return file generated by the 2020 version of TaxAct tax preparation software. The "0" in the extension signifies the 2020 tax year. These files store all your entered tax data, including W-2 information, deductions, and personal details required to file a 1040 form.
This format is notoriously locked down. It is proprietary and heavily encrypted to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like Social Security numbers and financial data. Because of this encryption, you cannot open a .ta0 file in standard text editors, spreadsheets, or web browsers. You are forced to use the specific 2020 version of TaxAct to access your own data, creating severe vendor lock-in.
Users typically need to convert a .ta0 file to a PDF document to print their return, share it with a mortgage broker, or keep a long-term readable backup. Attempting to convert the file to open data formats like CSV or XML is almost always blocked by the encryption.
This file format is exceptionally difficult to open or convert using third-party tools. Because it is highly encrypted, standard online converters fail to process it. Often, only the original TaxAct software can decrypt and correctly export the data. However, just drag and drop your file onto convert.guru to identify the exact format, inspect the file headers, and show any unencrypted internal content. If our analysis detects a supported underlying or embedded format, viewing or conversion may still be possible.
Convert.Guru analyzes your TA0 file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted TAX, 18I and TA3 files.
If you want to convert TA0 file to XLS, XLSX, XLSM, XLSB, ODS, CSV, TSV, TAB, DIF, SLK, WK1 or WK3, you can use TaxAct or similar software from the "Tax Return Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert WQ1, XLSM, NOTES, QPW, WK3, WB2, WKS, XLSB, 123, XLS, WB1 or XLSX files to TA0, try TaxAct or another comparable tool in the "Tax Return Storage" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our TA0 converter.