Use Online version from Desktop TurboTax

[clave]

On August 21, 2025 I received an email notice from TurboTax regarding their banning of the use of Windows 10 with their desktop product.  As I'm not planning on shelling out $1K+ for a new computer
immediately,  I'm in a quandary if I can’t complete the return by mid October 2025, the cutoff date for TurboTax use with Windows 10.

In the instruction link for switching from desktop to online it states:
"You can transfer your tax data file (with a filename extension .tax[year], such as .tax2023) only if you're switching a prior year return. You can't transfer your current year return."

So what do I do if my current year return is 2024 and the current date is August 2025?  Would I first transfer the previous year (2023) .tax file to provide beginning background, and then simply start the new 2024 return online?   I think I saw that as an option in the desktop product.  I haven't begun to process my 2024 tax returns.

Sorry, but the instructions issued by TurboTax are of their usual confusing ilk. Certainly it is TurboTax’s obligation to facilitate my tax filing process, or at least, issue a refund. Thanks for any help.  

[VolvoGirl]

This does not affect 2024 returns.  You can still use the desktop program and efile until Oct 15, 2025.   Nothing is changing  until next year when we do 2025 returns. 

Then next year, if you can't install the Desktop program or find another computer to install it on, you can use the Online version on Windows 10. You can transfer from this year’s Desktop tax return into the Online version next year. So be sure to have the .tax2024 file on your computer.

Then next year….You will notice several differences and may not like the Online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. And you may need to use a higher version to enter certain things. You can only do 1 return per account. 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.

[VolvoGirl]

Oh and you can still use the 2024 Desktop program after Oct 15 if you can't finish and efile by then.  If you file after Oct 15, 2025 you will have to print and mail your return.  The 2024 program will still work as before even into next year 2026.  It's just the new program for 2025 (that comes out in November) will need Windows 11.  

[xmasbaby0]

@clave Just to reinforce the reply you received above----that recent email is referring to the 2025 software that will be available for 2025 tax returns -- when you prepare a 2025 return next year in 2026.   That email is NOT about using the current 2024 software.  You can still prepare your 2024 tax return using your Windows 10 system.

E-filing for 2024 returns is available until October 15, 2025.   After that a 2024 return will have to be filed by mail.