Product selection help when doing taxes for myself and one family member

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
December 28, 2022
5 replies
28 views

Hello,

I have read several times which product to buy but am still a bit confused so would appreciate advice on which product to purchase and use. My situation is rather simple I think.

My end goal is to e-file the Federal and State tax returns (same State both MA) for myself and my Sister. I already settled that I need the Premier product level.

My questions are

1. Should i buy the CD version or the Online version.?

2. Under either the CD or Online solution will Turbo-tax pre-populate my Sisters State return with her Federal info once I get to that point?

3. Last year we both had separate Online Turbotax accounts - will this confuse or complicate things as i see even for the CD version you need to create an online account (should I create new ones if the CD product is the right solution?)

Thanks to anyone willing to take the time to guide me.

Peter

NCperson

Level 15

@KimoL1 - with the Online version you pay for each tax return that is submitted.

with Desktop, yuou can submit as many tax returns as you want for the cost of the original software.

So Desktop is much cheaper if you are doing multiple returns. You can efile both federal returns at no extra charge (the limit is 5 per IRS rules) but there is an additional charge of $20 per return to efile (but you could always print the state return and mail it in). The state software normally comes bundled with the price of the original CD.

Yes, both your return and your sister's return will pre-populate the state information as you enter information into the federal return.

one of other benefits of the desktop version, is since you have already paid for the software, you can review the return as you populate it. with the online version, you can't do that until you have paid for the service.