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What are the differences between Turbotax Online and TurboTax Desktop?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
June 6, 2019
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What are the differences between Turbotax Online and TurboTax Desktop? Why would I choose TTO over TTD? Why would I chose TTD over TTO?

TurboTax Online

Best answer by VolvoGirl

Here's some differences between the Online version and the Desktop CD/Download program.

Online web version is only good for 1 return, federal and state are separate charges,  It is free to start, you pay when you file or if you want to print.  Price is determined at the time you pay.  You can pay anytime like if you want to lock in an early discounted price. You can not see the forms until you pay and print them out.   Online versions do not have the same forms so you may need to use a higher version to enter something.   Online returns are stored online and after Oct each year you might not have access to it.  So you should save and download both  the .tax and .pdf files each year to your computer.
You can check out Online here,   https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

The Desktop CD/Download program can do unlimited returns and you can efile 5 federal for free and Deluxe and above comes with 1 free state program download to prepare unlimited state returns but each state return (including the first one) is 19.99 (goes up to 24.99 in March) to efile or you can print and mail it for free.  You can see and enter directly into the actual forms.  Desktop has a What-If worksheet.  Your return is kept on your own computer so you will always have access to it in the future like if you need a copy or need to amend it.  And other features.  Oh, and you can use a lower version because all the Desktop programs have all the same forms.
You can see the Desktop CD/Download programs here, https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

If you buy the CD at the store the Basic version does not include the state.  And Deluxe is available both with and without the state.  Because some states don't have an income tax.  So check the box carefully.  Look around for sales at stores.  You can see the Desktop versions here, https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

I would buy at Costco or Amazon or wherever you can get the best price.  If you want to use the Desktop program this year we can tell you how to get your 2016 return from Online to transfer into the Desktop program so post back.

VolvoGirlAnswer

Employee

Here's some differences between the Online version and the Desktop CD/Download program.

Online web version is only good for 1 return, federal and state are separate charges,  It is free to start, you pay when you file or if you want to print.  Price is determined at the time you pay.  You can pay anytime like if you want to lock in an early discounted price. You can not see the forms until you pay and print them out.   Online versions do not have the same forms so you may need to use a higher version to enter something.   Online returns are stored online and after Oct each year you might not have access to it.  So you should save and download both  the .tax and .pdf files each year to your computer.
You can check out Online here,   https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

The Desktop CD/Download program can do unlimited returns and you can efile 5 federal for free and Deluxe and above comes with 1 free state program download to prepare unlimited state returns but each state return (including the first one) is 19.99 (goes up to 24.99 in March) to efile or you can print and mail it for free.  You can see and enter directly into the actual forms.  Desktop has a What-If worksheet.  Your return is kept on your own computer so you will always have access to it in the future like if you need a copy or need to amend it.  And other features.  Oh, and you can use a lower version because all the Desktop programs have all the same forms.
You can see the Desktop CD/Download programs here, https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

If you buy the CD at the store the Basic version does not include the state.  And Deluxe is available both with and without the state.  Because some states don't have an income tax.  So check the box carefully.  Look around for sales at stores.  You can see the Desktop versions here, https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

I would buy at Costco or Amazon or wherever you can get the best price.  If you want to use the Desktop program this year we can tell you how to get your 2016 return from Online to transfer into the Desktop program so post back.

N

nancidalzell

thank you. from what I've researched, staying with the CD is best for many reasons, including all you reference. the concern is new computer has no drive, so guessing a portable CD DRIVE is answer. Any suggestions on what brand to purchase?

D

djweidman

You can simply download the file. No CD needed.

ScruffyCurmudgeon

Employee

Most of the so-called "Champs" (formerly known as "SuperUsers") - none of whom are Intuit Employees - recommend that for most tax returns that are more than "simple" the Taxpayer will benefit in ease of navigating the tax program using Desktop. A truly major and valuable feature of the desktop program is the ability to switch to a view of the tax forms themselves as they are filled in and calculations are made.

PRICING of Desktop Software for both Personal TurboTax (Form 1040) and for Business (Forms 1065, 1120, and 1041) are in the graphic - sold at these prices at Costco and for the period of 12/25/2020 - 01/24/2021
NOTE:

The Desktop products all provide FREE eFiling of Form 1040 but state eFile costs an additional $20 (at this time). The "Federal Only" Personal does not include a state program.
Personal TurboTax Desktop is sold in versions for Windows/10 PC or MAC - note the separate packaging. REPEAT: Windows/7 NOT SUPPORTED! (Netframe related!)

The "Business" program does not include a state module - that is an additional $50 and eFile of state an additional $20. "Business" only works on PC Windows/10.

Feel free to "thumbs up" - and yes there are other benefits to the desktop program - but Online offering is great for folks who have only one filing and a filing that is pretty simple; and none of this discusses the various "free" versions as they are announced by Intuit.

If this posted response is useful to you, please click on the upraised hand in the lower left of this post. Thank you. Scruffy Curmudgeon--PFFM/ IAFF, retired FireFighter/Paramedic - Locals 718/30, Veteran USAR O3 AIS/ASA '65-'67 NOT INTUIT EMPLOYEE USAR 64-67 AIS/ASA MOS 9301 - O3 - Just donating my time**Say Thanks by clicking the thumb icon in the lower left corner -it means nothing but makes those than answer feel wanted.

M

MEL MANDICH

WARNING: Turbotax desktop does not allow seamless integration with Turbotax.com. I have always used .com version, tried desktop for the first time this year. The desktop version is riddled with non-intuitive errors that should not be occurring. Saving tax files produces error codes, that can only be resolved by visiting online forums to resolve. Importing historical data from TT.com is a non starter (something to do with the way TT.com saves the file--really?). e-filing this year was a nightmare. I followed all the steps, efiled (paid $25 for the state efiling), only to have my forms rejected. After the first 2 attempts, I contacted TT CS and was advised that the IRS was rejecting "alot of TT desktop tax forms" due to AGI discrepancy. My AGI info was lifted directly from my 2019 TT.com forms, so where was the discrepancy, I asked? I was advised to resubmitt forms. I did, 3x more, then called TTCS again; was told that the IRS only allows one submission. If that first submission is rejected, it auto-rejects any follow up attempts. NIGHTMARE. And, after speaking with a TTCS rep for over 40 mins, I was placed on mute, and disconnected. I had asked for a refund on the $25 fee.

After printing out files, I closely examined some documents; I discovered that some forms were printed with 2019 in/of 2020. Wow. Really. Last year was a disaster for everyone; do not purchase this desktop version. It will further extend that feeling of helplessness.

VolvoGirl

Employee

I think you got some bad information. The Desktop program should be a lot easier to use. Were you able to transfer from you 2019 Online return? We could have told you how.

Then it sounds like you need to update the program. The Desktop program needs to be updated frequently. Updates usually come out each Thursday. If your program is not automatically updating each time to launch it (or are you leaving it open?) you need to go up to Online-Check for Updates. Are you on Windows or Mac?

And be sure to save your tax return frequently too. Go to File-Save. It saves it as a data file ending in .tax2020 usually in your Documents. Then when you are done also save it as a PDF file.

Then for your AGI reject. When did you file 2019? If it was late in the year or you mailed it, try putting in 0 (zero) for the AGI. And see, https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/rejections/help/what-if-i-entered-the-correct-agi-and-i-m-still-getting-an-e-file-reject/00/27031

How to correct the AGI
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/agi/help/where-do-i-correct-my-agi-in-turbotax-online/00/26311

M

MEL MANDICH

Actually, I did all of the steps that you suggest below.

I started by first updating the software, then did the file save step as I proceeded with entry.

AGI: I filed early April '20, and entered the correct info.

So, I did my research, but still had error messages and issues with sending files.

If I got bad info, then folks who are less adept at this software should avoid using the desktop version AT ALL COSTS.

Not worth the hassle; will use TT online next year to avoid this mess.

Faster than ever

I now use the Desktop version exclusively for my business and personal taxes. You are able to access and input more data entries than the online version (I found issues with QBI entry on the online version). I also believe that you can send the desktop date to the online version easily, but not the other way around? If you do not own a business and are just filing just personal taxes, the online version would most likely be the most optimal version to use.

ScruffyCurmudgeon

Employee

The most recently updated official FAQ (Intuit supplied Frequently-Asked-Question) database states that the upload from a desktop "*.tax20**" file must be the prior year version data from the desktop product when uploading to the current 2022 Online service offering:

FAQ: Switch-Turbotax-CD-Download-Turbotax-Online

For your case, if already using 2022 CD Desktop, this response from TurboTax may not be the answer you are seeking but if you are truly starting afresh with different data, even just the core data from last year, this may work for you

If this posted response is useful to you, please click on the upraised hand in the lower left of this post. Thank you. Scruffy Curmudgeon--PFFM/ IAFF, retired FireFighter/Paramedic - Locals 718/30, Veteran USAR O3 AIS/ASA '65-'67 NOT INTUIT EMPLOYEE USAR 64-67 AIS/ASA MOS 9301 - O3 - Just donating my time**Say Thanks by clicking the thumb icon in the lower left corner -it means nothing but makes those than answer feel wanted.