Here's how this works for a comparison between the online version and the CD/Desktop versions. If you will be doing more than one tax return, the online version will end up costing you more.
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Online Vs
Desktop
Online version:
With the online version of TurboTax (any flavor) you can only create one tax
return per online account. But you can create up to 5 accounts per e-mail
address. With the online version you will $PAY$ for each tederal tax return
that you "print and file" or e-file. You will also pay a purchase
price for each state tax return program, and then you will pay again to file
that state return, regardless of weather you elect to "print and
file" or e-file the state return.
Desktop version:
With desktop you purchase the FEDERAL program one time and install the program
on your computer. Then you can create as many federal tax returns as desired.
But per IRS limits, you can only e-file a maximum of 5 federal returns. After
the 5th federal return, you can print, sign and mail any additional federal
returns. You DO NOT pay to e-file federal returns, or to print and file federal
returns.
For state taxes, you have to purchase each state program
separately and install the program as an add-on to the federal program. Then
you will pay again to e-file the state return. You can avoid the cost of
e-filing a state return if you instead elect to print and file the state
return. With the desktop version only, there is no additional charge to print
and file the state return via mail. There is only an additional charge if you
elect to e-file the state return.
