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Clwanner8
New Member

Purchasing physical software online

Hello,

I usually do my taxes on TT online, but there's a discount at costco for TT deluxe. We were wondering if we purchased the product, does it come with a code to enter online to file or do we have to use the software on our computer to reap the benefits of the software purchase?

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3 Replies

Purchasing physical software online

If you buy the CD version you must use the CD version ... there is no code to use the ONLINE version instead.  And be very careful ... the Deluxe is sold with & without the state program. 

Purchasing physical software online

2017 Online to 2018 Downloaded

If you prepared your 2017 return online, in order for your previous year tax information to transfer into your Desktop software you need to download your 2017 Online return as a .tax2017 file. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899645-how-do-i-save-my-2015-turbotax-online-return-as-a-tax-data...

If you can't get or didn't save the .tax file to your computer before online was shut down Oct 15 or lost it,  there is a way to do it by starting your return in the 2017 Online version, transfer into that and then you can switch and continue in the desktop version and you won't have to pay for online.  Expand the 3rd section for transferring an Online return in this FAQ
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901506-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-turbotax-for-windows


Purchasing physical software online

Of course once you use the superior downloaded version you will not want to go back ...


This is my mini version of the downloaded tutorial that should be in the downloaded program: 

  What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

 

Related Information:

·         Why would I use Forms Mode?

·         How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Windows software?

·         How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Mac software?

 

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

·         >>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy

·         1.  Open your return in TurboTax. 

·         2.  From the File menu, choose Save As. 

·         3.  Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name). 

·         4. Click  Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original. 

·          https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

 

·         >>  use the WHAT IF tool: 

·         - Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view) 

·         - Click on the Open Form Icon 

·         - In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form 

·         - You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form 

·         - To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

 

 

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

1.     From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).

2.     Browse to where you want to save your backup.

o    Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.

3.     In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)

4.     Click Save and then close TurboTax.

5.     Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:                             

·         Retrieve a Tax File from a Portable Device

·         What's the difference between the tax data file and the PDF file?

·         How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?

·         How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Mac?

·         How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

 

GEN85508

Answered by  TurboTax FAQ  to  this question

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

·         How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?

·         How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Mac?

AND protect the files :

·         How can I protect the tax files on my computer?


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