TurboTax Online and the TurboTax CD/Download products are very similar and both cover most tax situations. The majority of our customers choose TurboTax Online to confidently file their taxes.
Here are the big differences between the two:
- If you file online, we store all of your information on our secure servers. If you use the CD/Download, you need to save and store your own tax return.
- With TurboTax Online, you can work on your taxes from any computer or mobile device with Internet access. With the CD/Download, you install TurboTax on your computer and you can do your taxes without the Internet.
- The CD/Download product is a better overall value for people who prepare tax returns for their friends and family. It allows you to prepare and print unlimited federal returns and e-file up to five at no extra cost. Each return using the Online version requires a separate account with a separate UserID although you can use the same email address for up to 5 returns. Unless the return qualifies for one of the FREE versions a separate fee is charged for each account.
In the regular Turbo Tax Free Edition, information that you can enter is limited now. Why do I have to upgrade from the Free Edition....
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrading/help/why-do-i-have-to-upgrade-from-free-edition/00/26379
OR
There is also The Turbo Tax Free File program which is free for federal and state. And has more forms than the Federal Free Edition, like Schedules A, B, C , D, E, F, EIC, H, K-1, SE, etc.
NOTE: You will have to log out of your regular Turbo Tax Account and setup a new account with a new username and new password or it will take you back to regular Turbo Tax.
To qualify for the Free File website you just need to meet one of these 3 things
AGI $36,000 or less
Active duty military with AGI of $69,000 or less
OR qualify for EIC (earned income credit.)
In order to use the Free File program, you have to start it at a special website. Click on the Orange button I Qualify, Let's get Started and set up a NEW account
https://freefile.intuit.com/
