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L
ljkentucky
December 28, 2023
Solved

Deleting a saved tax filing report created in error

  • December 28, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 34 views

I created - and accidently saved, a "practice" W-2 that I used as a before and after reference when I was adjusting an employee's gross wages.  Now it, along with a W-3 with just this one W-2, is showing as a saved PDF under Save Filings in Tax Filing History.   I did NOT hit the Submit button just the Save and Close button.

Can I delete that W-2 or will it be automatically REPLACED with another one when I create the whole batch for all the employees?   I just don't want to double file that employee's W-2.   

Best answer by Mark_AG

Hi there, @ljkentucky.

 

You can delete the W-2 form by locating it from your computer files and delete it. Just like what my colleague has provided, here's how to delete it:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), go to the Employees menu, then select Payroll Center.
  2. Select the File Forms tab.
  3. In the Filing History section, find the incorrect W-2 form.
  4. Click the link under the SAVED PDF column.
  5. Copy the file location after opening it.
  6. Open your File Manager from your computer and paste it in the search bar.
  7. After locating it in your computer's file, right-click it then Delete.

 

Furthermore, you may consider reading this article for you to be guided for year-end: Year-end guide for QuickBooks Desktop.

 

If you have further questions about W-2 forms in QuickBooks Desktop, feel free to reply to this post. We're always here to help.

2 replies

J
JanbonNQuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team
December 28, 2023

Hello there, @ljkentucky. Allow me to share some information about your W-2.

 

Since you've only hit the Save and Close button, there's no need to worry because this hasn't been submitted.

 

And yes, it will be automatically replaced by the latest one once you create the correct W-2 for your employees. Rest assured that this will not double-file your employee's W-2.

 

Moreover, here's how you can delete it:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), go to the Employees menu, then select Payroll Center.
  2. Select the File Forms tab.
  3. In the Filing History section, find the incorrect W-2 form.
  4. Click the link under the SAVED PDF column.
  5. After opening the pdf, copy the file's location.
  6. Paste it in your computer's search bar.
  7. After locating it in your computer's file, delete it.
  8. Doing this will also delete the one on your QBDT.

 

Furthermore, you might want to check this helpful article to help you prepare for the new year: Year-end guide for QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Let me know if you have further concerns about your payroll forms. I'll be here to give more assistance. Have a great day.

L
ljkentuckyAuthor
December 28, 2023

Thanks for reassuring me that the new W-2 will replace this one.   I would like to just go ahead delete it but when I follow your suggestions I don't see a Delete Form button - what am I missing?

M
Mark_AGAnswer
Level 1
December 28, 2023

Hi there, @ljkentucky.

 

You can delete the W-2 form by locating it from your computer files and delete it. Just like what my colleague has provided, here's how to delete it:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), go to the Employees menu, then select Payroll Center.
  2. Select the File Forms tab.
  3. In the Filing History section, find the incorrect W-2 form.
  4. Click the link under the SAVED PDF column.
  5. Copy the file location after opening it.
  6. Open your File Manager from your computer and paste it in the search bar.
  7. After locating it in your computer's file, right-click it then Delete.

 

Furthermore, you may consider reading this article for you to be guided for year-end: Year-end guide for QuickBooks Desktop.

 

If you have further questions about W-2 forms in QuickBooks Desktop, feel free to reply to this post. We're always here to help.

K
Keep Desktop
January 14, 2026

There is no way to view the data path where the pdf is saved.

C
Candice14
Level 8
January 14, 2026

Good morning, @Keep Desktop. 

 

Thanks for reaching out on this thread about deleting a saved tax filing report. 

 

Since the steps my colleague gave didn't work, I recommend contacting our Customer Support Team for further assistance. Here's how: 

 

  1. Go to the Help menu. 
  2. Press the QuickBooks Desktop Help/Contact Us button. 
  3. Enter your question. 
  4. Tap let's talk. 
  5. Scroll down and choose to Get a callback. 

 

Feel free to reach back out to let us know how the call goes. I'm only a post away if you need me again. Take care! 

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