Why would you want to do that? IMHO, the desktop software is a better product.
They are not interchangeable. They are 2 different products. Your CD includes a state program, for instance, while in the online product, preparation of a state return is an extra charge. Your desktop software also has the popular Forms Mode which the Online version does not have. This allows for direct viewing/printing of forms during return preparation and even editing on the forms in problem situations.
You can also prepare multiple returns in your desktop software, and do "what-if" scenarios when tax planning. You can efile up to 5 Federal tax returns (if more than 5, the additional ones can be printed and mailed). You can prepare multiple returns of your included state, but there is a 24.99 fee to efile each state return (no state efile fee for New York state, and no fee to print and mail any state returns.)
The TurboTax desktop CD/Download editions and the Turbotax online web-based editions are separate programs with separate price points. There are no exchanges from desktop to online.
Use the desktop edition. You get one free state program download included in the purchase price. The online edition has an additional charge for the state program. You have direct access to all forms, schedules and worksheets. The online edition doe not have any access to forms, schedules or worksheets. You can complete and file as many tax returns as required with no further charge. The online edition can only be used to complete and file one tax return per account.
My wife and I each have our own Macs and she is self-employed and works with different forms than I do. Last year we worked independently on the joint return since we have 2 different laptops. Is that possible with the Download version?
@bhannah9 wrote:
My wife and I each have our own Macs and she is self-employed and works with different forms than I do. Last year we worked independently on the joint return since we have 2 different laptops. Is that possible with the Download version?
No, that is not feasible using the desktop editions. You would want to install the desktop edition on only one computer and work on the joint return on that computer.
@ bhannah9
wrote:My wife and I each have our own Macs and she is self-employed and works with different forms than I do. Last year we worked independently on the joint return since we have 2 different laptops. Is that possible with the Download version?
While it's "possible" to have 2 computers work on the desktop tax file, it could be a headache, and I wouldn't recommend it since it would add difficulty and a larger chance of error due to additional logistical steps. You'd have to find a way to shuttle the *.tax2019 data file back and forth between the 2 computers (such as a thumb drive), and there could be problems keeping straight which version of the file was which. It could end up in confusion with multiple and incorrect copies. Whatever you do, you should NOT email the tax data file (or other tax documents such as PDFs) to each other. It is way too sensitive for normal unsecured email--it has SSNs, birth dates, and possibly even bank account info in it.
The Online version would avoid those problems, and you could both work on it in the same Online account. So if you want to use the Online version, you can get a refund for your CD purchase from Costco. If Costco won't refund it, we can tell you how to ask TurboTax for a refund under their 60-day unconditional moneyback satisfaction guarantee.
If you both work on the same Online return, you still have to be careful that you both are aware of what each other is doing, and you should both review the whole return prior to filing to have a complete consensus for the end result, since you both will have to sign it.