CD and Download are the same thing. You are using your harddrive to store the program. Either you buy the CD (but few have CD drives anymore) or download the software from the Turbo Tax or retailer's web site.
"Online" is just what it means. The software (and your data) remains on the TurboTax server. As more people move to devices that do not have harddrives (i.e. their phones, etc.). Only 2021 tax return is available using the "online' version. Prior years require the CD/ Download version,.
There are differences. the CD / Download version allows you to prepare unlimited tax returns (think your family) for the price of the CD (some versions include one state in the pricing and some do not).
The Online version is PER RETURN. Each return is priced on its own based on the complexity of the return.
I find that if you are doing multiple returns for family members and have a laptop or PC, the CD / Desktop version is much more economical.
You can purchase past years (back to 2018) on the Turbo Tax website for download to your PC / laptop. Do note that if you are trying to complete 2018 at this time, the window to collect a refund from the IRS ended on April 15, 2022; however, if you owe taxes from 2018, you still owe them - the liability never goes away.
does that help?
