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New Member
posted Feb 13, 2026 5:37:46 PM

Turbo Tax

i downloaded 2025 Premier Turbo Tax and accidentally downloaded it as desktop and i want it to be online. How can i correct this before i start entering all my info?

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2 Replies
Level 15
Feb 13, 2026 5:46:34 PM

You are confused.   There is no online version of Premier.   The desktop download versions are Deluxe, Premier and Home & Business.       For online the versions are Free Edition, Deluxe or Premium.    The one closest to Premier would be Premium.

 

Do you fully understand the difference between using desktop and online?   You need Windows 11 or a Mac that meets the system requirements to use desktop download.  Does your computer meet the system requirements?  

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/minimum-system-requirements-for-turbotax-mac-software/00/25609

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/product-system-requirements/minimum-system-requirements-turbotax-windows/L8ZSsGqF1_US_en_US?uid=lph06daf

 

 

 

If you want to use online instead----perhaps because you still have Windows 10?---- you can do that ---understand that with online, you get one return per fee.   Every return requires its own email, account and user ID.  You pay separate fees for federal and state.  

 

Desktop software

Every version has all forms and schedules

Forms mode to see all forms as you work and “what if” feature 

Can e-file up to five federal returns and their associated state returns

If you have more than five federal returns the additional ones can be mailed

Tax file is stored on your own hard drive

Always available even after tax season ends

State e-file fee is an extra fee.   State can be mailed to avoid e-file fee

Desktop is more cost effective for multiple returns for family members, etc.

Desktop software is available from Intuit or from various retailers—prices vary

Only works on full PC or Mac—not on any mobile devices

 

 

 

Desktop --unless you specifically buy federal  Deluxe only from a retailer-- will include the software for one specific state.   You can prepare as many returns for that state as the number of federal returns you prepare.  E-filing state returns is an extra fee which can be avoided by printing and mailing the states.   Additional--other--state software is an additional fee for the software. Online Software

Online TurboTax

Forms and schedules supported vary by which version you use

No Forms mode, but you can “preview” Form 1040 and Schedules 1, 2, or 3 before filing

One return per fee

Separate fees for federal and state returns

Each return needs its own email, account and user ID

Tax file is stored in online account for seven years

Can be used on any device with internet access

 When you use Desktop TurboTax, which you download to your own hard drive, you can prepare and e-file multiple returns for the cost of the software.  You can e-file up to 5 Federal returns—more if you mail the additional ones.  If you have multiple returns to prepare for family members, Desktop is more cost effective.

 

 

 

You can seek a refund for the Premier download you purchased and then use online if you want to.

 

To request a refund for a TT product

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-refunds/request-refund-turbotax-product/L834M6uyW_US_en_US?uid=m6meybc2

 

 

 

New Member
Feb 13, 2026 5:54:46 PM

Thank you!!