topic TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

MaxG — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 23:27:13 GMT

Due to windows 10 issue I must go from always using desk6top TT Premier to online Premium. Does Premium have all the necessary forms that the desktop Premier (eg capital gains; foreign tax credit, schedule K-1, etc) supports or shall I look elsewhere for tax software for tax year 2025?

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

VolvoGirl — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:09:58 GMT

Yes you will need to use Online Premium. It has all the same forms as the Desktop programs including Premier. Be sure to have the 2024 return file ending in .tax2024 on your computer so you can transfer it into the online version next year.

If you used the Desktop program before you may notice several differences and not like the online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. And you will have to pay first to see all the forms. All the Online versions do not have the same forms so you may need to upgrade to a higher version. You can only do 1 return per account. And pay for each account. You can use the same email for 5 accounts. Federal and state are separate fees.

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. In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something. You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

VolvoGirl — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:17:03 GMT

MORE INFO on Turbo Tax info on Windows 10 End of Life
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/articles/community-news-announcements/turbotax-windows-10-desktop-software-end-of-life/05/3708302

And it says the Online version will have some new features over the Desktop program like…
This year, we’re offering many new ways to automatically bring in your tax documents into TurboTax Online, including uploading PDFs of 1099-B and 1099-Composite forms.

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

MaxG — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:19:02 GMT

Thank you for the great info. Will I be able to access Forms via the Print mode prior to filing? I have found in the past that TT does a dismal job on foreign tax credits and have always tweaked via the actual Forms prior to filing?

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

VolvoGirl — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:32:39 GMT

In the Online versions you can see all the forms by printing them out. But you will not be able to directly access the forms to make any entries. Everything is done via the interview steps.

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

MaxG — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:48:43 GMT

Bummer, I really need to be able to access Forms for minor corrections. After 40 years I guess I will have to migrate to HR Block software:o(( Thank you for all your assistance.

Kind regards,

Re: TurboTax Online vs Desktop Premier

PS56k — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:06:51 GMT

had some basic questions of Desktop vs Online...

Guess will have to read thru the various other threads to learn all the nits.

Have used Desktop for years.... and have just finished and submitted for 2025 -

Was talking with a friend, and he said he uses the online version and it does "everything".

So - I see that you can actually start an online return, but not get charged until you file.

Guess there is no cross-billing if you already paid for one platform and want the other.

Which brings up another Q - I imported my 2024 TT file to the online, and went from there.

Guess there is no way to import the current 2025 desktop file into the 2025 Online platform.

Was thinking of that for being away from laptop and just converting to the Online version.

Will go thru the other topic of - Online vs Desktop - to see what other hurdles are involved.

Re: TurboTax Online vs Desktop Premier

DianeW777 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:55:34 GMT

Yes, there is a way to import your return. There's an easy way to move from TurboTax Desktop to TurboTax Online the link below will guide you through the process.

How do I switch from TurboTax Desktop to TurboTax Online?

TurboTax Online is easy to use and you will get used to it. The Step-by-Step guides you through the areas of the tax return you need and we are here to help.

@PS56k

Re: TurboTax Online vs Desktop Premier

baldietax — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:27:29 GMT

@PS56k if you've just finished 2025 on desktop why do you need online?

Main difference with online is no forms mode, and it is good for 1 return only (per account, you can set up more accounts to do other returns but have to pay for each). Online is generally more expensive than desktop especially for those who need to prepare multiple returns.

Re: TurboTax Online vs Desktop Premier

VolvoGirl — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:45:22 GMT

@PS56k I thought you couldn’t use the Desktop program this year for 2025?

Yes you can Transfer a prior year Desktop return into Desktop or Online. And the other way around, a 2024 Online return into Online or into the Desktop program.

You can not move a current year 2025 Desktop return into the Online version. Current year is one way only. You can move a current year Online return into the same year Desktop program and continue. Same for prior years. Like If you didn’t finish a 2023 or 2024 Online return you can download the data file ending in .tax2024 and open it in the 2024 Desktop program to finish

You know about the Desktop program. Here’s more info on Online.

The Online web version is only good for one account and one return. You can log in and access your return from any computer. You can only see the forms after you pay and download the pdf. And you might need to upgrade to a higher version to enter different kinds of income. There are 3 Online versions, Free Edition, Deluxe and Premium. Premium combines the Premier and Home & Business versions. And you can add LIVE service or Full Service for expert help. In Online the fees are to prepare the federal and state returns (State is a separate charge) whether you efile or print and mail. Efiling is free and included.

You can see Online Deluxe here,

TurboTax® Deluxe Online 2024-2025 | Maximize Tax Deductions

You can seeOnline Premium here

TurboTax® Premium Online 2024-2025 | Self-Employed & Investor Tax Software

Also for Online. 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. In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something. You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

Think that covers most of the differences between Online and Desktop.

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

tlsmith7015 — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:03:01 GMT

Not having forms mode in the online version is a deal-breaker for me. I need to be able to see and edit the actual forms. I'm switching to desktop for this year, and for next year I'll have to look at alternatives to Turbotax if this issue is not resolved.

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

DoninGA — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:10:35 GMT

@tlsmith7015 The TurboTax online editions have never had direct access to any forms, schedules or worksheets.

The TurboTax desktop editions have always had direct access to forms, schedules and worksheets - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

tlsmith7015 — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:12:29 GMT

I've always used the desktop version. This year I kept getting emails saying that the future of Turbotax is the online version. I didn't know that it didn't have forms or I never would have tried it.

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

DoninGA — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:16:05 GMT

@tlsmith7015 Emails from whom? TurboTax is not sending emails concerning the future of the TurboTax desktop editions.

There are millions of TurboTax users who have the TurboTax desktop editions installed on their personal computers.

Re: TurboTax online Premium vs desktop Premier

tlsmith7015 — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:22:32 GMT