topic Starting taxes on new computer in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Starting taxes on new computer

user3143 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 23:55:44 GMT

Good evening,

I did my parents taxes last year (2019) using TurboTax. I did this on my dad’s desktop. My father passed away Sept. 2020.

I would like to do the 2020 taxes on a laptop so it can go with my mom when she moves.

I no longer have the 2019 TurboTax disc.

I did install the PDF of the 2019 taxes on the laptop.

I paid for the live version to do the 2020 taxes.

I can only install the live version once and want to use whichever computer will help me the most as these taxes may be more complicated with my dad’s death.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Stacy

Re: Starting taxes on new computer

VolvoGirl — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 00:07:50 GMT

The LIVE version is only the Online version which you can access using any computer. You do not install it like the Desktop CD/Download program. You log into an Online account.

Did you use the Online version last year or the Desktop program installed on your dad's computer? Oh if there was a CD that was the Desktop program. You will need to find the data file ending.tax2019 to transfer into 2020 either into the Desktop program or the Online version. It should be in Documents in a Turbo Tax folder or search his computer for all files ending in .tax or .tax2019.

You don't need to install the 2019 program. You just need the .tax2019 file. And you can install the Desktop program on 5 computers. But you didn't buy the Desktop program.

Also if you use the Online version and you used Desktop last year you will notice several differences. If you used the Desktop program before you may not like the online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. You can only do 1 return. Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2020 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: Starting taxes on new computer

VolvoGirl — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 00:12:57 GMT

Here's 2 links I found which explains it more.

How to activate the online LIVEversion purchased at retail

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/register-or-activate-services/help/how-do-i-activate-turbotax-live-purchased-through-retail/00/1740800

What is Turbo Tax LIVE purchased at retail

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/authorize-funds/help/what-is-turbotax-live-purchased-through-retail/00/1743211

Re: Starting taxes on new computer

user3143 — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 00:15:24 GMT

I did not use the LIVE version last year only the desktop. I had no idea there was a LIVE version.

I will try to find the tax file.

thank you

Re: Starting taxes on new computer

VolvoGirl — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 00:45:08 GMT

They had the Live version last year but it was only available from inside an Online return. This year it is the same LIVE Online version but you can buy it in the stores too. So you have to watch what you buy. I guess you should have bought the Windows or Mac Download or CD. So what did you get when you bought LIVE? Was there a CD or just the Activation instructions? It's new so we would like to know what you get. Where did you buy it? In a store like Costco or online from Costco, etc?