How can i tell if I am working online or on my desktop software

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

If you are using desktop software you open the program from your own hard drive.   You do not "log in" or need to use a password to work on your return.   If you are using online software you have to log in each time using exactly the same account and user ID.

[Carl]

From what I see on my screen, you are using the online version. But that just means that when you logged in to post your message, that's the selection you made *for this forum*.

Physically unplug/disconnect your computer from the Internet. If it still works, you're using the CD/Desktop version that you physically installed on your computer.

Assuming you installed the CD on your computer, there will be a TurboTax 2021 icon on your desktop. Double-click that icon to start the program.

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

Using the TurboTax desktop software installed on your personal computer, you start the program on your computer by clicking on the TurboTax icon shown on your computer display.  You complete and file the tax return using the desktop software.  At no point would you ever have to access the TurboTax online editions website when using the desktop software.

Using the TurboTax online editions you Must access those editions using a web browser and sign onto the online account with a User ID and Password you created for the online account.

[VolvoGirl]

When you filled out your return did you go online and log in?  The Online version has a black column on the left side with the menu items, Federal, State, File etc.

The Windows Desktop program is blue across the top (Mac is black) and the menu items like Federal, State, Review, File go across the top.

[VolvoGirl]

If you accidentally started in the Online web version....

I see people all the time that have bought the CD/Download Desktop Software but then somehow ended up using the Online version and didn't know it.  If that happened to you,  you can move your Online file to the Desktop program and continue without paying for Online or needing to reenter your info. Post back if you need to know how to move it to your Desktop program.

To continue in the desktop version see this…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-th...

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW).