Saved Drafts in offline Java Utility not showing in new version 1.1.0

This is typically due to the fact that drafts were saved in the previous version of the Offline Java Utility's local storage folder, but were not being automatically retrieved. If the old drafts exist in the previous utility's data directory, check if they are still there, and import/open them manually if they are. Also, delete cache files, launch the utility as administrator and make sure you're running the most recent patched version. It may be a bug in the utilities, since many users have reported issues with visibility of the drafts after upgrading to a new version. Do not delete the old version until you are sure that the draft files are still there if they're significant.

The Offline Utility is no longer based on Java, as I highlighted last year during Torture of mysterious repeated failing return filing exercise.

The utility was created in Edge Web View , and I do not have a clue as to where it is saving the draft returns, under what name and extension. Only thing possible was to create java json file after completing preparation of the return and the same json could be used as a backup and for uploading for filing.

@ Manoj Punjabi, try a search in your computer for files with last 5 characters of the PANs, for which you created draft ITRs using Offline Utility Version 1.0.0. If you find the files then copy the complete directory from Version 1.0.0 with the files into Version 1.1.0 and the missing drafts my appear in Version 1.1.0 utility.

And let us know the results of your struggle.

@ Manoj Punjabi

More help for you [possibly].

I spent some time now searching more details about where the data is being saved and in which format.

It is likely, that the data files are being saved as Java json files, in the USER folder of the computer [as per Income Tax Department Help page about the common utility].

So in the Version 1.1.0, try to "open saved drafts" and when the utility demands the saved draft file, open the USER folder to locate the drafts saved with Version 1.0.0 and use the same.

Positively, post your experience in this Forum for us to know the result.

Thank you Mr. Ranjan for your reply.

My problem is solved.

Writing here for others in case they face same problem.

Go to old version of Java utility, complete the full form, create JSON, then import this JSON into the new version of utility, your return will open for edit and to create new JSON of latest version for upload on IT site.

Only hiccup is that you must complete full form properly in old version to create a JSON. If form is incomplete, it will show errors and JSON will not generate.

Warning: don’t delete old version of utility from your system, until you create JSON and import it to new version of utility.

Note: Last year there was no such process involved, even incomplete drafts automatically appeared in new versions, there was no need to complete the return in old version, generate JSON for new version, import JSON in new version, and then generate New JSON again from new version for IT upload.

Well, this is the position as on today, in future they may improve and make it like last year – automatic imports of drafts in new versions.