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Level 3

Question

File Extension from Desktop Version

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
March 26, 2025
12 replies
59 views

Why can't I file an Extension from Turbo Tax Desktop? Why am I forced to have multiple accounts with multiple sets of information to do this simple procedure? Seems like a great way to get erroneous data onto my tax return.

Turbo Tax is pretty expensive now. This should be a built in feature of the program.

TurboTax Home & Biz Windows

JohnB5677

Level 15

You can use this TurboTax website to file the extension

Free federal tax extension

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

WapellaTaxQuestionsAuthor

Level 3

Yes, of course, I know that. But then we have two sets of books going on with the possibility of error and typos.

Why doesn't Turbo Tax keep this all within one system to prevent errors?

JohnB5677

Level 15

See TurboTax Desktop in How do I file an IRS tax extension?

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

ef151ffe

Level 2

You can use Desktop TT to file an extension. I just did it.

Open Forms, type "4868" in the search bar, and open the form. Check/confirm the info, and then hit the "Print Center" button on the top right. It will ask if you want to save a PDF, or preview a print copy.

WapellaTaxQuestionsAuthor

Level 3

You don't really need Turbo Tax to submit paper forms to the IRS.

I am looking for a fully enclosed electronic system of managing tax information that does not involve mailing papers to the IRS. There is no reason that Intuit cannot include that. They have 1000 other features. Why not 1001?

I don't want to keep a second set of books. I want all my tax information on the same platform. Not one paper and one electronic platform.

packman

Level 3

YES!! I have the same beef with Intuit. The whole point of buying the desktop version is that I don't want my tax paperwork online. I want to maintain it all in one place and one place only - my computer. The Intuit software allows me to actually file my taxes using this method - my computer - but it doesn't allow me to file for extension using my computer. The only options are to use the online software (as mentioned - then there are two separate sets of books), or via snail mail (archaic).

Even the IRS form itself shows three options for filing an extension - one of them being "E-File using your Tax Software". Well - except TurboTax desktop simply does not support that.

A glaring hole in the software.

psberg0306

Level 2

I'm going to have to agree that OP has it right. I tried to file for an extension on Form 4868 for 2024. There is no way on TTax to do it electronically. You have to MAIL it in. With snail mail, figure on a minimum of 1 week to get there (I'm in Hawaii). It's just a hassle and one never knows whether the IRS even received the extension request. It doesn't particularly disturb me that I have to mail it in, because I have pre-figured my taxes and know I will receive a sizable refund.

TTax has an online lure where they claim you can file an extension for free by going to their website. But once you are informed that you can file for an extension, they want to sell you a TTax program! This is really ridiculous.

WapellaTaxQuestionsAuthor

Level 3

@turbotax11 @intuit11

Does anyone from Turbotax/Intuit even monitor these boards? Seems like a pretty straightforward feature request. You have 10,000 other features. Why not allow filing an extension from the desktop version?

andrewc123

Level 2

Intuit are you reading this? Part of why I purchased TT desktop was to be able to file for an extension easily after I figure out what I owe. I've done it in past years. Not anymore apparently. Next year I'll be going to TaxCut HRBlock. If you want my continued business then email me that you've fixed this.

Fabri-geek

Level 2

>Intuit are you reading this?

Obviously not, as this has been an issue (and ongoing complaint) for multiple years. And all the replies from the "Employee Experts" only turn up the volume on just how tone-deaf Intuit has become.

>Part of why I purchased TT desktop was to be able to file for an extension easily after I figure out what I owe.

I ended up going to the IRS and using one of their free partners. Enter my info & three numbers: What I expect to owe, what I've paid, and what I'm paying with my "eFile for extension".

I'm a longtime customer of TT as well. And with our home business, one who has literally paid thousands to Intuit over the many years of running our business. And each year, it's the same old shortcomings. The problems remain. Maybe a new font, a slightly more polished interface. But the same confusing sequence of questions.

> Next year I'll be going to TaxCut HRBlock.

Maybe we all should...

blessed614

Level 2

Because youre using software meant for one person. If you want to file extensions for several people, buy the pro series. The desktop allows you to file for family members in your home, but its not meant for any more. They only allow 5 efiles in case you get rejected too. Not for doing business for others.

sheila95521

Level 2

Hi "blessed". I am only filing for myself.

blessed1469

Level 2

https://turbotax.intuit.com/irs-tax-extensions/ This is NO different than if you did so via desktop. They could insert this link if it made it easier. But it is the same account you use to file.

user17752394338

Level 2

So I called the help desk. For the desktop app, the help screens are wrong. The help desk also has wrong information. You can't file an extension electronically. You can by print. When you first sign in, before you open your return, on the lower right it says to file an extension. It only works to print though. I thought there were more professional, but that's pretty poor for such a large software company. We pay for this.

jblazar

Level 2

I am confused. I have filed extensions from the desktop version of TurboTax many times including this year. It was very straightforward.

jblazar

Level 2

I filed them electronically.

blessed1469

Level 2

Hi everyone,

I wanted to provide some clarification regarding why the desktop version directs users to other methods for extensions.

The IRS limits desktop software to five federal e-files per license to prevent fraud. Since an extension is technically a separate filing, Intuit directs users to online tools to avoid using up these limited e-file slots on a simple extension form.

To assist with this, Intuit provides a separate, free web tool called TurboTax Easy Extension specifically for electronic filing of federal extensions. This is intended to preserve your e-file limits for your full tax returns and

should be seen as a benefit.

jimktm

Level 2

Absolutely insane that desktop Turbotax users either have to print out a form and mail it to the IRS, or re-type a bunch of info (SSNs, etc) into https://easy-extension.turbotax.intuit.com/ .

DoninGA

Level 15

@jimktm You could also go to the IRS payment website and make an extension payment and you get an automatic extension from the IRS - https://www.irs.gov/payments

jimktm

Level 2

My tax liability is 0, so how can I make an extension payment on https://www.irs.gov/payments to get the automatic extension? Does IRS allow a payment of $0?

answerer

Level 2

You are right: this is a totally brain dead feature of TurboTax. It pretty much ruins the entire TurboTax experience, which is otherwise great, for no reason. It's inexplicable why we must be tortured by this obvious deficiency. They let you file an extension electronically for free, but it's ridiculously cumbersome and redundant and risky regarding spreading social security numbers around. Why is being able to print an extension not a seamless part of the program along with everything else? And why is it so difficult to even find out how to file even an electronic extension? I wish they would correct this glaring problem, which would be very easy for them to do.