eFile Form 4868 with TurboTax Premier?

[dscott1980]

I see lots of instructions (and here) for e-filing extensions (Form 4868) for TurboTax online, but that feature doesn't seem to be available for Deluxe or Premier. Premier only provides the script to prepare and print a physical 4868 for mailing to the IRS. 

These instructions generally seem to direct users to the "Easy Extension" website, which is anything but easy. One site seems to require lots of steps to prepare my taxes online from scratch--when I already have a printed Form 4868 ready to go. Ridiculous. And another link (provided in the instructions at the beginning of this question) leads to a page saying "This feature isn't ready yet, but we're working on it." Seriously? It's ~40 days before the filing deadline! Even the IRS link at the bottom of that page seems to lead back to an Intuit site (freefillableforms.com) that wants me to create yet another account. Ridiculous.

So...how can I eFile my 4868 via TurboTax??? And why are the links so confusing and leading to dead ends? And why is there so much better support for TurboTax Online vs. the PC applications?

[MichelleLO]

Per the TurboTax Forms availability schedule, Form 4868 is not supported for e-filing, you are only able to paper file the form In TurboTax CD/Download software. Please see How do I file an IRS extension (Form 4868) in the TurboTax CD/Download software? for more information. 

[stan-the-man]

Totally agree. Why are the purchased PC apps second class to the online version. I just spent an hour trying to figure this out and will probably end up on the IRS site, re-entering all the info turbotax already has on me. 

At least fill out the form for me and let me print and mail. easy. At least let me print out the blank form!

[stan-the-man]

That link takes you to instructions that are titled for CD/Download but are actually for the Online version. They entire thing does not work. disgusting.

[DoninGA]

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@stan-the-man wrote:

Totally agree. Why are the purchased PC apps second class to the online version. I just spent an hour trying to figure this out and will probably end up on the IRS site, re-entering all the info turbotax already has on me. 

At least fill out the form for me and let me print and mail. easy. At least let me print out the blank form!

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IRS Form 4868 which can be completed online and then you can print and mail the form - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf

Or you can make a extension payment on the IRS website and you will automatically get the extension - https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay

[stan-the-man]

It would be nice if the software we paid for actually did this very SIMPLE and very COMMON form. Especially since the Online version does.

It would also be nice if the instructions were correct.

[DoninGA]

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@stan-the-man wrote:

It would be nice if the software we paid for actually did this very SIMPLE and very COMMON form. Especially since the Online version does.

It would also be nice if the instructions were correct.

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Also forgot to mention -

You can also complete an extension request for mailing using the desktop editions.

Click on Federal Taxes

Click on Other Tax Situations

Under Other Tax Forms

On File an extension, click on the start or update button

[stan-the-man]

WOW, that worked - Thanks.

May I suggest 

  1. include that option when searching using the software, instead of pointing to the online version.

  2. Fix the incorrect help topic, https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/extensions/help/how-do-i-file-an-irs-extension-form-4868-in-the-tu...

Thanks -Stan 

[dscott1980]

I just want to remind stan-the-man (and the community in general) that my original issue had nothing to do with printing and mailing this simple, one-page form. It was about eFiling the form, which appears to be available in the online version but not in the desktop version. Lest we lose the plot and think Intuit has actually addressed my issue.

[stan-the-man]

Yes, it is disappointing that the Desktop version does not have same capabilities as the Online version. 

It has been my overall experience with Intuit (Quickbooks, TurboTax) that the emphasis and probably development money has been pushed to the Online version of everything. They REALLY want that subscription revenue. 

[dscott1980]

Unfortunately, QuickBooks (online) also has lots of issues. I've been very disappointed at the poor execution of that software--I had assume that, since it's been around for so long, it would have been a more "mature" product. And that bugs/significant issues would be fixed quickly, since it's online. But that's not been my experience. A story for a different forum thread.