topic Navigating the website in Retirement tax questions

Navigating the website

purdycm — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:57:04 GMT

While dealing with a data entry problem in the TurboTax software, I wanted to see how my tax forms looked. I saw no way to navigate to the forms, and wound up in an infinite loop of help telling me to go to sections of TT that were not on my screen.

it directed me to tax tools, print center, and forms, none of which were options visible to me, despite all attempts.

is there a way to refresh the screen or to navigate to these areas directly?

Re: Navigating the website

JohnB5677 — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:27:10 GMT

There are two very different TurboTax platforms:

Desktop - This is downloaded and resides physically on your PC.
- This has the FORMs feature that you referred to.
- You pay for this when you get it
Online - You log into this online each time you want to use it.
- This does not have a FORMs feature.
- You can start for free and pay when you file.

It sounds like you have the Online version of TurboTax.

The Tax Tool > Print feature will only be available after you've paid for the software.
You can do this before you file.

Re: Navigating the website

purdycm — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:53:23 GMT

I want to see forms before filing.

I find the formless interface is cumbersome for verify & review steps.

For example, I spent hours yesterday struggling with erroneous treatment of multiple RMDs...with a look at the forms it would have been clear quickly that TT was doing it wrong. The issue in today's question is not the RMD problem itself, but TTs inability to show consequences of data entry.

Re: Navigating the website

DoninGA — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:00:44 GMT

@purdycm There is no direct access to forms when using the online editions. Only the TurboTax desktop editions have that option using Forms mode.

However, you can view your Form 1040 plus Schedules 1, 2 and 3 at any time using the online editions. Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.

If you want to view or print your complete tax return using the online editions you will have to pay the TurboTax account fees.

Re: Navigating the website

purdycm — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:49:36 GMT

Thanks, but when I asked this question there was no Tax Tools option anywhere on my screen. The left panel was mostly blank. I couldn't find a way to refresh the screen, so quit.

How do I get the version that offers the Firms view, and will my entries transfer into that package automatically?

Re: Navigating the website

purdycm — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:50:54 GMT

Typo: How do I get the version that offers the Forms option?

Re: Navigating the website

MarilynG1 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:55:11 GMT

The FORMS option is found in the TurboTax Desktop product.

You can purchase a download from Intuit, or from other vendors.

Here's more info on TurboTax Desktop products and how to get them.

@purdycm