File Extension from Desktop Version

[Jasmith63]

right?  I thought I had lost my mind.  I knew I had done this seamlessly in a prior year and this year took me so much time to try to find something that wasn't there.  and it screwed up the state form in the process.  took me 90 minutes last night to deal with this.  

[StonecoldMike]

That's what they're griping about....the fact that you even HAVE to file a form manually and mail it in.  We're supposed to be living in a time where convenience is a priority and yet this seems like a really simple task for the software programmers at intuit to create, and yet they've decided to leave that feature to be completed like you had to do back in the 90s.  It would be really easy for them to digitize that feature and have us do it electronically.  It's like it's a punishment for filing late.  Sometimes **bleep** happens, or you receive a statement in April or some other form comes to you on a tax issue that you weren't aware of and it's one week from the 15th so you have no choice.  That's why this is BS.  File it electronically!  Do it!  Do it now!!

[meh234]

Worked perfectly. Thanks!

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

I will try that.  Sure sounds like a hack, but sometimes hacks work!

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

Just about works...still have to print out the form and snail mail it.  But it does keep all your accounting information in one place.

Thanks for the tip!

[Jasmith63]

I ended up just generating the extension form on TT desktop and selecting print so i could save it as a PDF and TT would understand I did do an extension for later updating. Then doing the "free file" extension on IRS website (no income limit when you are just doing an extension) to avoid snail mail (I don't have a printer at home so that was yet another issue!) and similarly logging into my home state tax website and doing the extension and payment directly on their website to avoid 3rd party sites and printing.  Got immediate acceptance emails from both so I knew they were done.  What should have taken 5 minutes took me 90 minutes last night.  I know I did this seamlessly in a prior year - unclear why it was removed from TT

[sheila95521]

It used to be one click from desktop to request an extension. Now it's total bull**bleep** having to go re-enter stuff on the web.  I will do everything I can, as a 35 year user of Turbo tax, to ditch this app

[TCT9]

Thank you for actual instructions on finding and printing the form. TurboTaxes instructions are terrible. But, I agree with others, why do I have to mail this?

[MarilynG1]

If you file using Easy Extension you can file your extension online.

If you prepare if from TurboTax Desktop, yes, you have to mail it.

@TCT9 

[blessed614]

Because youre using software meant for one person. If you want to file extensions for several people, buy the pro series.  The desktop allows you to file for family members in your home, but its not meant for any more. They only allow 5 efiles in case you get rejected too. Not for doing business for others. 

[sheila95521]

Hi "blessed". I am only filing for myself.

[jorgen]

I have been sitting here for an hour trying to file an electronic extension.  BUT WHAT DO  YOU EXPECT FROM THEM???  I am so disgusted with them, trying to force me into online filing so they can charge me a lot more after a year or two  It is not that I am not familiar with paying intuit a lot of money for software. For 20 years i bought the commercial tax software Lacerte from them  for more than $5,000 every year when I did tax returns for others. But of course they bought that software, and when they took it over prices went way up

The turbo tax web site is un -intuitive and hard to navigate.   And they are simply not spending any time and money on updating, and never will while they try to sell their online stuff.  I WOULD quit Turbotax in a second if there was an alternative.   Other countries have government sites to file your tax return for free

Jorgen

[DoninGA]

@jorgen See this for e-filing an extension request - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/internal-revenue-service/file-irs-extens...

So what is the issue you are having when trying to e-file an extension?

[JohnB5677]

You can file an extension from our website Free federal tax extension is now available,

• You will need to file by October 15, 2026.
• However, you must estimate and pay the taxes you owe now.
  • You can make payments electronically through the Direct Pay system 
  • Or you can pay by check or money order through the mail to specific locations based on your residence. 
  • Cash isn't an accepted form of payment.

 You can view the TurboTax article Need More Time? File a Tax Extension

Or you may wish to file for an extension here.  
 

1. On the left rail menu in TurboTax Online Select Tax Tools  (You may have to scroll down on the left rail menu.)
2. On the drop-down select Tools 
3. On the Pop-Up menu titled “Tools Center,” select File an extension
4. Follow the instructions to start the extension process 

Also, you may have to file your state taxes:

 Do I need to file an extension for my personal state taxes?  

Remember, an extension gives you more time to prepare your taxes, but it doesn't extend the time to pay your taxes.  If you indicate that you will owe taxes, you should make the payment by the original due date of the tax return to avoid additional interest and penalties. 

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

That is a really bad answer.  Read the thread above, for more information.

What you are suggesting is keeping two sets of books.  The question (OP) from me was referring to the Desktop version.

In the desktop case,  Turbo Tax leads you file a paper extension, which is also keeping two sets of books.

It is a pretty decent accounting practice to only have one set of records.  That is, not a separate paper record and electronic record of tax filing.  Just a single consistent set of financial records.

Seems simple to fix, but it has been dragging on for years.

JBP