TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
October 27, 2025
3 replies
14 views

Due to windows 10 issue I must go from always using desk6top TT Premier to online Premium. Does Premium have all the necessary forms that the desktop Premier (eg capital gains; foreign tax credit, schedule K-1, etc) supports or shall I look elsewhere for tax software for tax year 2025?

TurboTax Premier Online

VolvoGirl

Level 15

Yes you will need to use Online Premium. It has all the same forms as the Desktop programs including Premier. Be sure to have the 2024 return file ending in .tax2024 on your computer so you can transfer it into the online version next year.

If you used the Desktop program before you may notice several differences and not like the online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. And you will have to pay first to see all the forms. All the Online versions do not have the same forms so you may need to upgrade to a higher version. You can only do 1 return per account. And pay for each account. You can use the same email for 5 accounts. Federal and state are separate fees.

Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2025 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done. In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something. You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

MaxGAuthor

Level 3

Thank you for the great info. Will I be able to access Forms via the Print mode prior to filing? I have found in the past that TT does a dismal job on foreign tax credits and have always tweaked via the actual Forms prior to filing?

VolvoGirl

Level 15

In the Online versions you can see all the forms by printing them out. But you will not be able to directly access the forms to make any entries. Everything is done via the interview steps.

VolvoGirl

Level 15

MORE INFO on Turbo Tax info on Windows 10 End of Life
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/articles/community-news-announcements/turbotax-windows-10-desktop-software-end-of-life/05/3708302

And it says the Online version will have some new features over the Desktop program like…
This year, we’re offering many new ways to automatically bring in your tax documents into TurboTax Online, including uploading PDFs of 1099-B and 1099-Composite forms.

tlsmith7015

Level 2

Not having forms mode in the online version is a deal-breaker for me. I need to be able to see and edit the actual forms. I'm switching to desktop for this year, and for next year I'll have to look at alternatives to Turbotax if this issue is not resolved.

DoninGA

Level 15

@tlsmith7015 The TurboTax online editions have never had direct access to any forms, schedules or worksheets.

The TurboTax desktop editions have always had direct access to forms, schedules and worksheets - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

tlsmith7015

Level 2

I've always used the desktop version. This year I kept getting emails saying that the future of Turbotax is the online version. I didn't know that it didn't have forms or I never would have tried it.