topic I purchased Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop, allowing me to prepare and file up to 5 federal tax returns. How do I start the second return? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

I purchased Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop, allowing me to prepare and file up to 5 federal tax returns. How do I start the second return?

kjfasano — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 02:08:43 GMT

How do I switch from a tax return to another tax return using Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop?

Re: I purchased Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop, allowing me to prepare and file up to 5 federal tax returns. How do I start the second return?

mesquitebean — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 02:16:10 GMT

We can tell you how to start a second desktop return, but first something needs to be cleared up.

Underneath your question there is a tag that says "Online TurboTax." Please confirm what product you are in.

Online TurboTax requires a browser and has its navigation as tabs in the left column. Desktop TurboTax does not need a browser during preparation, and the navigation tabs are horizontal across the top.

Did you actually install the software on your computer and used the desktop version for the first return, or did you end up in Online TurboTax by mistake?

Re: I purchased Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop, allowing me to prepare and file up to 5 federal tax ...

RobertB4444 — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:19:26 GMT

In TurboTax Desktop Deluxe, while you are working on one tax return, if you click the 'File' button on the top left you can click on 'New Tax Return' if you would like to start a new return or 'Open Tax Return' if you would like to open another tax return that you have already started in this year's program.

That way you can switch back and forth between as many tax returns as you are working on.

Re: I purchased Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop, allowing me to prepare and file up to 5 federal tax returns. How do I start the second return?

Robertmorris3 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:38:36 GMT

How do I open a second account?

Re: I purchased Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop, allowing me to prepare and file up to 5 federal tax returns. How do I start the second return?

Robertmorris3 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:40:41 GMT

Apparently online by mistake

Re: I purchased Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop, allowing me to prepare and file up to 5 federal tax returns. How do I start the second return?

Robertmorris3 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:41:48 GMT

Online by mistake?

Re: I purchased Turbotax Deluxe for Desktop, allowing me to prepare and file up to 5 federal tax returns. How do I start the second return?

VolvoGirl — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:42:02 GMT

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

Or use the Desktop program. The Desktop program can do unlimited returns and efile 5 for free. And you can use any Desktop version, they all have the same forms. So you could use a lower version than you might need in the Online version.