Backing Up Your Return to MobileMe iDisk

If you subscribe to Apple MobileMe, the program allows you to backup your current year's tax return files to your MobileMe iDisk online storage space. You can set up the H&R Block software to automatically back up the files or you can manually back them up. The program also allows you to restore your tax return files from iDisk to any location you choose.

The program backs up your files to the following location on your iDisk (<user's iDisk> is your MobileMe iDisk name and <year> is the current tax return year):

/Volumes/<user's iDisk>/Documents/HRBlock/<year>

Each backed up return is stored as a separate encrypted disk image (.dmg) file with the same name as the tax return file that you back up. When you restore the file, a date/time stamp is added to the end of the file name. The program also allows you to password protect your backed up files on your iDisk.

Note: If you do not subscribe to Apple MobileMe or you do not have an active MobileMe subscription, the H&R Block software provides you with the opportunity to subscribe. You cannot use the back up feature if you do not subscribe to Apple's MobileMe service.

Automatically Backing Up to MobileMe iDisk

When you set up the program to automatically back up your tax return files to MobileMe iDisk, the H&R Block software backs ups your file every time you close a return. The automatic backup process backs ups the most recently saved version of the file that is closed.

To set up automatic backups to your iDisk storage space:

Go to the H&R Block menu and select Preferences.
Click the Backup icon on the Preferences dialog box.
Click on the check box next to Automatically back up my returns to my iDisk. The program opens the Create Password dialog box.
If you want to password protect your backed up files, enter a password and confirm it by entering it a second time. If you don't want to password protect your files, leave these fields blank. If you want the program to remember your password, check the box next to Remember password.
Click OK.

Every time you close your return, the program will automatically back up the file to your iDisk. Note: If your MobileMe subscription has expired, the program will prompt you to renew your account before automatically backing up your files.

Manually Backing Up to MobileMe iDisk

If you do not set up the program to automatically backup your tax return files to your MobileMe iDisk, you can still manually back them up to your iDisk at intervals that you choose.

To manually back up to your iDisk:

Go to the H&R Block menu and select Preferences.
Click the Backup icon on the Preferences dialog box.
Click the Back up my Return Now button. If your tax return has unsaved changes. The program prompts you to save your return file before backing up the file to your iDisk.