Can I do "What If" with the on line version ?

[evelope535]

How can I do What Ifs ?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Online does not have the "what if" feature that desktop software has.   If you want to "play" with different scenarios online then you need to set up a "dummy" account online and prepare returns--but do not go too far and pay or file.   Whatever you do----do NOT mess around with your filed return or you will destroy it.

[VolvoGirl]

To plan for next year in the Online version you can go though the Estimate section. Click on Add A State to let you back into your return, Be very careful not to change any of your actual current return. Or you can set up another account to test in. You don't have to pay unless you want to print it out. You can use the same email address for 5 accounts. How to start a new online return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-onli...

You can just type W4 in the search box at the top of your return, click on Find. Then Click on Jump To and it will take you to the estimated tax payments section. Say no to changing your W-4 and the next screen will start the estimated taxes section.

OR go to
Federal Taxes or Personal (Home&Business version)
Other Tax Situations
Other Tax Forms
Form W-4 and Estimated Taxes - Click the Start or Update button

Say No to W4. When you get to the W4 and Estimated Taxes section, say you want to adjust your income to go though all the screens.

[evelope535]

Thanks to everyone for answering, but I will "set up a "dummy" account online" which appears the safest way to get an answer.

[Critter-3]

FYI ... if you used the downloaded program you could use just the Deluxe version if you need a state return (Basic if you don't) and save a few $$  while using the superior program.  Consider changing next tax season ... once you use the downloaded version you will never want to use the online version again. 

There are 2 answers to your question, depending on if you use the On-Line version of TTax or if you use the Desktop version (which is installed on your computer).  Hint: Desktop version gives you more flexibility and options.

For DESKTOP version ONLY
Select 'Forms Mode' - (upper right corner of Step-by-Step screen)
Select 'Open Form'  - (upper LEFT corner (just above "Forms in My Return" click on icon)
Enter "What-if" (without quotes) in the Search field (at top under 'Search or Browse ,,,' heading)
'Double Click' on the "What-if" entry listed in the list of forms below (under 'US Form 1040 ...')

NOTE: Be sure to type the search phrase SLOWLY, and to use a '-' and not a space between the words entered.  The search will auto-complete generally by the time 'wh' is entered.

For safety, to protect your return, whenever you are doing things like a 'what-if' compare, it is a good practice to make a COPY of your return and do the 'what-if' exercise on the COPY.

For On-Line version
You appear to be using the TTax On-Line version.  Unfortunately the on-line version does not support a 'what-if' scenario (that is only available with the desktop version).

Once you make ANY changes to the online version the previous information is overwritten and is PERMANENTLY deleted.  You will have to manually re-enter/re-create your return.

You might want to try to create NEW dummy accounts for your various scenarios and then simply abandon them when you are finished.

Create New On-Line account:
turbotax.com and look for the 'New to TurboTax?" 'Start for Free' BLUE button near the top center of the screen.
How to Clear AND Delete

How to clear an on-line return and start over
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900891-how-do-i-start-over-in-turbotax-online
(Please note that the link may 'appear' to be truncated, however it will
work (if you hover your mouse over the link you will see the full link.)

How to delete tax return in TTax On-line
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899886-can-i-delete-my-tax-return-in-turbotax-online
(Please note that the link may 'appear' to be truncated, however it will
work (if you hover your mouse over the link you will see the full link.)

Note: This will also clear/delete and data your have transferred from last year or downloaded from a Financial Institution.

CAVEAT:
While you can clear the information in a return in an account, you CANNOT delete an account.

If you still want to use TTax On-Line, TurboTax's TaxCaster may be of some help

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/taxcaster/ 

This is my mini version of  a tutorial  that should be in the downloaded program: 

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

• Why would I use Forms Mode?
• How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Windows software?
• How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Mac software?
• What is-the-meaning-of-all-the-different-colors-in-forms-mode
• How to delete a form

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

• >>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy: 
• 1.  Open your return in TurboTax. 
• 2.  From the File menu, choose Save As. 
• 3.  Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name). 
• 4. Click  Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original. 
•  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

• >>  use the WHAT IF tool: 
• - Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view) 
• - Click on the Open Form Icon 
• - In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form 
• - You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form 
• - To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

Once you have filed successfully … you can shut off the auto updater function and then save the return &  .taxfile.

For Windows, up in the top menu, you  can set the  "Updater Preferences" to "Always Ask" or more commonly set to "I don't have an internet connection"  (even if you do), and then you are not forced to update....and can manually force an update when you choose to do so.   And then you can open the file(s) at any time with no forced upgrade.

But that's the Windows software.....not a MAC. For a MAC you cannot turn off the auto updater  HOWEVER  you can simply disconnect from the internet before opening the tax return.

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

1. From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
2. Browse to where you want to save your backup.
   • Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
3. In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
4. Click Save and then close TurboTax.
5. Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:                             

• Retrieve a Tax File from a Portable Device
• What's the difference between the tax data file and the PDF file?

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Mac?
• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?

AND protect the files :

• How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

*** Other clues to the downloaded program ***

In the forms mode ... double click  or right click on a box on a form to data source it ... sadly it doesn't work on all boxes. 

What's the meaning of all the different colors in Forms Mode?

When you look at an onscreen tax form using Forms Mode, you might wonder why one figure is blue and the one next to it is red or black.

These colors indicate the source of that data.

Color	Meaning
Blue	You entered this data, either in the interview or Forms Mode.
Black	The program entered this data or calculated this amount.
Red	This data has either been overridden or is invalid (for example, a ZIP code that doesn't exist).
Red italics	You marked this amount as estimated.
Black italics	The program calculated this amount from an amount you marked as estimated.
Purple	This information has supporting details.
Aquamarine	This data was transferred over from last year.
Green	This data was imported from Quicken or QuickBooks.
Yellow fields (Windows)	Yellow fields allow user input. Anything you enter here shows up in blue.

PRIOR YEAR USE OF A SUPPORTING DETAILS WORKSHEET :

If you find you have a  $0  in an entry field that cannot be changed … this issue is almost always one in which you used a "Supporting Details"  (SD) sheet in that field in the prior year.   What happens is that when you transfer in the prior year's data, the SD sheet is transferred too, but empty...and that causes the $0 to show up in many areas of the Step-by-Step mode interview....wherever the SD sheet was used before.

But when switching to Forms Mode, when you try to enter a $$ amount in a field where the SD sheet is attached, the SD sheet will pop up immediately, and you can either enter the $$ amount on that sheet, or delete the SD sheet entirely and avoid future issues (unless you really want the SD sheet)

Sometimes, when you see the $0 in Step-by-Step, you can just

1. a)  double-click on the field and the SD sheet will pop up.  But I've seen that doesn't work in all cases.

1. b)  Another way is to click on the field, then go up to the menu..."<<Edit<<<Add Supporting Details"....then the SD sheet pops up and you can use it, or delete the SD sheet entirely and then the regular field will work properly.

1. c)  OR  click on the problem field, then switch to Forms Mode to make that entry