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Level 2

Question

If you do backdoor ROTH, DONT use Online version

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
February 3, 2026
6 replies
10 views

If you are doing a backdoor ROTH don't use TurboTax online, you have to use the Desktop version. Doing this conversion requires form 8606 which the online version doesn't give you control to fill out.

In addition, to even see if TurboTax Online is filling out the form correctly, you have to pay. Then go to "Tax Tools' --> 'Print Center' --> Tax Return --> Scroll to form. In the desktop version, you can click the form at any time and adjust as necessary. I spent hours trying to figure out how to get TurboTax online to fill out form 8606 correctly. I think its a bug in the system or they simplified it too much or they just never thought to add this feature.

Intuit doesn't give TurboTax Online refunds. I had to buy twice this year. Dont be like me...buy the Desktop and don't fool around with the crappy Online version.

TurboTax Deluxe Online

dmertz

Level 15

The online version produces the same result as the desktop version. The issue with the online version is that you can't examine the details on the forms to figure out where you went wrong until you pay for TurboTax.

A backdoor Roth is nothing more than the entry of a traditional IRA contribution and a separate entry of a Roth conversion. All versions of TurboTax handle each of these separate entries the same way.

farnorcal

Level 2

No matter what i do, Turbo Tax says that i owe a penalty for my backdoor roth conversion. Seems like others are having the same issue. Any idea how to get around this? Hopefully they fix it soon

AnnetteB6

Level 15

If you have followed the step-by-step instructions provided in the TurboTax help article (How do I enter a backdoor Roth IRA conversion?) but you are still having a problem, consider sharing a diagnostic copy of your tax return so someone can take a closer look and submit this experience for further review if necessary.

The diagnostic file will not contain personally identifiable information, only numbers related to your tax forms.

If you would like to provide us with the diagnostic file, follow the instructions below and post the token number along with which version of TurboTax you are using and what states you are filing in a follow-up thread.

Use these steps if you are using TurboTax Online:

Sign in to your account and be sure you are in your tax return.
Select Tax Tools in the menu to the left.
Select Tools.
Select Share my file with agent.
A pop-up message will appear, select OK to send the sanitized diagnostic copy to us.
Post the token number here.

If you are using a CD/downloaded version of TurboTax, use these steps:

Select Online at the top of the screen.
Select Send Tax File to Agent.
Click OK.
Post the token number here.

@farnorcal

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

joetaxes

Level 2

I used the desktop version and followed the guide from this link: How do I enter a backdoor Roth IRA conversion? It all matches up in part I but part II - 2025 Conversions From Traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs, line 16 shows 7,000 and line 17 shows 7000 and line 18 shows 0. Is this correct? Last year when I filed part II was blank.

DanaB27

Level 15

Yes, if you made a nondeductible traditional of 7,000 in 2025 and converted these $7,000 in 2025 then lines 16 and 17 would show $7,000 and line 18 would be $0, assuming your balance in all traditional IRAs was $0 on December 31, 2025.

Please note if you also made a traditional IRA to Roth IRA conversion in 2024 then Part II of Form 8606 must be filled out. Did you indicate that you made a traditional to Roth IRA conversation when you worked on your 2024 return in TurboTax? Sometimes people accidentally select rollover instead of conversions, which would be incorrect for moving funds from the traditional to Roth IRA.

@joetaxes

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

joetaxes

Level 2

Yes, I also did a backdoor in 2024 and indicated so on the TT desktop app. Thanks for confirming.

AmeliesUncle

Level 15

@HikingTaxGuy wrote:
If you are doing a backdoor ROTH don't use TurboTax online, you have to use the Desktop version.

buy the Desktop and don't fool around with the crappy Online version.

In my opinion, nobody should buy the crappy Online version. It is a stripped-down version with less capabilities and often costs more than the desktop/downloaded version.

user17736105978

Level 2

this is helpful and timely advice! Thank you so much for sharing with other Turbo tax users. I was literally struggling with this part using the Online version.

ellewood

Level 2

For anyone struggling with the online version like I was...

Follow these exact steps from another TT forum. Click on the link for "Traditional IRA and Roth IRA" as noted in the forum (won't allow my hyperlink to work here). Following this link made it look like the more familiar steps from the desktop version and made sure a non-deductible TIRA was accounted for in the 8606. Once you're there, if it's still unclear, "Backdoor Roth - TurboTax" video on YT by EA Tax Resolutions breaks it down step by step--many thanks to him for posting. Hope it helps someone!

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/retirement-benefits/enter-backdoor-roth-ira-conversion/L7gGPjKVY_US_en_US

TurboTax Online

Step 1: Enter the Non-Deductible Contribution to a Traditional IRA

Go to the Traditional IRA and Roth IRA screen, check the Traditional IRA box and select Continue.
On the Is This a Repayment of a Retirement Distribution? screen, select No.
On the Tell Us How Much You Contributed screen, enter the amount contributed and select Continue.
On the Did You Change Your Mind? screen, select No, then answer the questions on the following screens.
When you reach the Choose Not to Deduct IRA Contributions screen:
- Select Yes, make part of my IRA contribution nondeductible.
- Enter the amount you contributed.
- Select Continue.
  - Note: If none of your contribution can be deducted, you won't see the option to make part of it nondeductible. Instead, you'll see the message Income Too High To Deduct an IRA Contribution, and the full amount of your contribution will automatically be nondeductible.
On the Your IRA Deduction Summary screen, review the info and select Continue.

Step 2: Enter the Conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA

Go to Wages & Income.
On the Your wages and expenses screen, locate and select the Retirement Plans and Social Security section, then select Start or Revisit next to IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R).
Answer Yes to Did you get a 1099-R in 2025?, then Continue.
- If you land on the screen Review your 1099-R info select Add another 1099-R.
Select how you want to enter your 1099-R and follow the instructions.
Answer the questions on the following screens, until you reach Tell us if you moved the money through a rollover or conversion.
Select I converted some or all of it to a Roth IRA and Continue.
Next, select Yes, all of this money was converted to a Roth IRA.
Continue answering questions until you reach the screen Review your 1099-R info.

To check the results of your backdoor Roth IRA conversion, see your Form 1040:

From the menu, select Tax Tools, then Tools (if you're currently using the TurboTax Mobile app, you'll need to sign in to the web browser version).
Under Tools Center, select View Tax Summary.
From the side menu, select Preview my 1040.
- Your backdoor Roth IRA amount should be listed on Form 1040, Line 4a as IRA distributions.
- Taxable amount on Form 1040, Line 4b should be zero unless you had earnings between the time you contributed to your Traditional IRA and the time you converted it to Roth IRA, in which case the earnings would be taxable.
- If you have a Schedule 1, then Schedule 1, Line 20, IRA deduction should be blank.
Select Back to return to where you left off in TurboTax.

jo808

Level 2

I finally realized that the order of TurboTax's instructions for how to input the backdoor roth are REVERSED. I followed their instructions several times and the backdoor roth kept showing up as taxable on the 1040.

Then I deleted the deduction and the 1099-R, and re-did it by putting in the 1099-R FIRST and then doing the contribution (in deduction section) SECOND.

Extremely irritating and time consuming -- almost feels like a ploy to get additional fees 😞