topic Re: How to work on multiple returns in parallel? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

How to work on multiple returns in parallel?

ssswong — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:51:58 GMT

Hi,

I live in Texas, and my wife lives in California. We jointly own properties in both states. Every year, we need to file three 1040 federal tax returns: 1) married-filing-jointly 1040 for both of us (the real one); 2) my wife's married-filing-separately 1040 to drive her CA state return; 3) my married-filing-separately 1040 to drive my CA non-resident state tax return. It's a pain working on them one at a time and keep them all consistent. Is there a way to work on them in parallel for the same item? Thank you so much for your help!

Re: How to work on multiple returns in parallel?

rjs — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:45:18 GMT

As I said in reply to your previous question, there is no way to have more than one tax return open at the same time in TurboTax. You have to close one return before you can open another.

Please do not post any more separate questions about working on multiple tax returns. When information is scattered in multiple threads it's confusing and hard to follow, and hard to see the whole picture. If you have further questions about working on multiple returns, add a reply to this thread. Do not post any more new separate questions about the same issue.

Re: How to work on multiple returns in parallel?

Mike9241 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:06:58 GMT

try creating a spreadsheet where you can enter details of what goes on each state return once the federal is done. most likely for many items complete details are not necessary.

Re: How to work on multiple returns in parallel?

skixbumx — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:04:30 GMT

I can not find the FILE to start a new tax return. I have looked at the top and do not see FILE. Where is it?

Re: How to work on multiple returns in parallel?

VolvoGirl — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:18:47 GMT

@skixbumx Are you in the Online version or the Desktop program? Online can't do multiple returns from the same account.

For Desktop. Here's a screen shot of the Windows Desktop program. For Mac go up to the very top Apple menu bar. It doesn't show unless you put your mouse way up there.

Re: How to work on multiple returns in parallel?

VolvoGirl — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:11:16 GMT

For Online - is only good for 1 return per account. And you need a different email address for each account.

You can start another return in TurboTax Online by:
Logging out if you are in your account
Choose what TurboTax Online product you want to use for the second return
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/compare/online

Create your account screen
Set up a new login for the second return
Start working on the new return

Re: How to work on multiple returns in parallel?

DoninGA — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:12:40 GMT

@skixbumx If you are using the TurboTax online editions only one tax return can be completed and filed per account and User ID. For another return you would have to create a new account with a new User ID and a new email address.

If you are using the TurboTax desktop software installed on your personal computer, then click on File in the upper left of the desktop program screen, then click on New Tax Return to start another return. Or click on Open Tax Return to start working on another return that has been saved on the computer.

Re: How to work on multiple returns in parallel?

rjs — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:15:32 GMT

You can have up to 5 TurboTax Online accounts with the same email address.