Are Desktop and the App the same

[Kaileytyson97]

I downloaded the app on my Android phone and filed my taxes. It told me at the very end I had no choice but to get the deluxe version, before this year I'd always used the free version. So I paid the $60 for federal and another $40 for state. When you get the deluxe version you are allowed up to 5 federal returns right? I need to add my fiance's w-2s to file but there is no where to access it in the app. Please tell me I didn't spend the money just to have to buy it on another device.

[tagteam]

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@Kaileytyson97 wrote:

Please tell me I didn't spend the money just to have to buy it on another device.

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Someone has to tell you.

The app is basically the same as the online versions; you can only prepare and file one return.

If you want a product that you can use to prepare more than just one return, then you need to buy a desktop version of TurboTax.

[xmasbaby0]

No.  You are confusing the CD/download and the online version of the software.   The CD/download can only be used on a full PC or Mac.  You did not use a "download" on a phone.  You used online software on a phone, and you do not get five returns.  With online TurboTax you get ONE return per fee, and each state return is an extra fee.

If you need to prepare another return for your BF, see if he can use the Free Edition or another free software on the IRS site so that you do not have to pay again.

-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free.  There are 8  free software versions available from the IRS Free File site

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

Or—if you live in certain states you may be eligible to use the new IRS Direct File

( AZ, CA, FL, MA, NH, NV, NY, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY )

https://directfile.irs.gov/

Free Edition of TurboTax online

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp

If you start entering information that is not supported by the Free Edition,it will upgrade to a paid version, which is what happened with your first return.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY?  I WANT THE FREE EDITION

The information that you can enter in Free Edition is pretty limited now.  Thanks to the new tax laws that began for 2018 returns, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's.  Everything goes on a Form 1040 that has three extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.  Using the standard deduction instead of itemizing does NOT mean you will not need any of those schedules.https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4511011-what-happened-to-the-1040a-and-1040ez   If you started in the Free Edition and entered any data that required any of those three schedules, you have to upgrade to a paid version and if you are watching the screens carefully you are alerted to the upgrade.

When you chose to “start”  in the Free Edition —

Directly below the words “Free Edition” there is a blue link that says “For simple tax returns only”   If you click that link it brings up this information:

You can file with TurboTax Free Edition if you have a simple tax return.*

*A simple tax return is Form 1040 only.

Situations covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:

• W-2 income
• Limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV
• Claiming the standard deduction
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC)
• Child tax credits
• Student Loan Interest deduction

Situations not covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:

• Itemized deductions
• Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
• Business or 1099-NEC income
• Stock sales
• Rental property income
• Credits, deductions and income reported on schedules 1-3

[xmasbaby0]

ONLINE vs. DESKTOP

When you use Online TurboTax, you get one return per fee.  Each return needs its own account and user ID.   If you use the same account and user ID for a second return, you overwrite the first one and lose it forever.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-onli...

 When you use Desktop TurboTax, which you install from a CD or download to your own hard drive, you can prepare and e-file multiple returns for the cost of the software.  You can e-file up to 5 Federal returns—more if you mail the additional ones.  If you have multiple returns to prepare for family members, Desktop is more cost effective.

Desktop --unless you specifically buy federal  Deluxe only from a retailer-- will include the software for one specific state.   You can prepare as many returns for that state as the number of federal returns you prepare.  E-filing state returns is an extra fee which can be avoided by printing and mailing the states.   Additional--other--state software is an additional fee for the software.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901306-how-many-times-can-i-e-file-using-the-turbotax-cd-or-downl...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2750704-what-are-the-advantages-of-the-turbotax-cd-download-softwa...

[VolvoGirl]

The Mobile App is just a portal to the online version.  The Online version is completely separate from the Desktop CD/Download installed program.  You can't synce between them

How to use the Mobile App

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-use-the-mobile-app/00/26828

[Mike9241]

some other things. the desktop but not online has what is referred to as forms mode. this can be used to correct issues that prevent efiling.  also you can create as many versions of your return as you want but be careful to file only the actual one. This does allow some tax planning/what-if scenarios, but they will be based on the  tax laws for the year of the desktop currently 2023.  There is also a section in the estimated tax portion to allow limited tax planning for 2024 but again not all 2024 tax laws are reflected.