.3PE File Extension

TurboTax Form

Developer Intuit
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What is a 3PE file?

A 3PE file is a form used by the macOS desktop version of Intuit TurboTax, a U.S. tax preparation application. It contains data for displaying tax forms within TurboTax, including form text and layout information, as well as instructions that may be included with each form.

More Information

Screenshot of a .3pe file in Intuit TurboTax 2023
3PE file open in Intuit TurboTax 2023

TurboTax is a tax return application used to prepare and file U.S. Federal and State tax returns. It is available as a downloadable desktop version for Windows and macOS and as a web version (TurboTax Online).

However, only the macOS desktop version of TurboTax comes packaged with 3PE files. The Windows version is packaged with .1PH and .1PE files that store the forms.

Location of 3PE files

You can find 3PE files in the TurboTax application package in macOS. To access the 3PE files packaged with TurboTax, right-click the application, select Show Package Contents, then navigate to the Contents/​Resources/​Forms directory.

NOTE: The macOS desktop version of TurboTax saves each 3PE file along with a nearly identical .3ME file inside the application package. When a TurboTax update is run, old 3PE and 3ME files are automatically moved to the Trash. Since these files have been replaced with newer versions, they may safely be deleted.

How to open a 3PE file

You should not attempt to open 3PE files manually. Instead, the macOS desktop version of TurboTax references the 3PE files and loads the tax forms they contain when run.

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Programs that open or reference 3PE files

Mac

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