I think I understand your question.
Desktop Version of TurboTax:
The TurboTax End User License Agreement (EULA) for the Basic, Deluxe, Premier, and Home & Business CD/Download versions allows you to install TurboTax on all computers owned by you. You may use your TurboTax software to prepare tax returns for you and your immediate family.
In accordance with IRS guidelines, TurboTax allows you to prepare and electronically file up to five federal (that is an IRS rule not TurboTax) and related state tax returns. Additional returns must be filed on paper and Mailed.
The CD version of TurboTax allows you to prepare and e-file up to five federal returns. You can prepare more federal returns with the CD version, but they must be mailed in to the IRS. The ONLINE version of TurboTax only allows ONE return per user ID. This is a significant difference, make sure that you are aware of it when purchasing the TurboTax software.
I see that you can do up to five federal returns with the CD software. How many state returns can be filed? Five?
@Driftless51 wrote:
I see that you can do up to five federal returns with the CD software. How many state returns can be filed? Five?
Five state returns can be e-filed. Once the 5 e-files have been used then any other tax return, federal and state, have to be printed and mailed.
Using desktop software you get up to five federal e-files. You can actually prepare more than five, but the additional ones have to be printed, signed and mailed. You also get the software to prepare returns for one specific state. There is a fee to e-file a state return ($19.99 and mid-season it goes up to $24.99) --you can avoid the state e-file fee by printing, signing and mailing in the state returns. There is not a limit to how many state returns you can prepare for the one state you have the software for--but information flows from the federal return to the the state. You cannot prepare "stand alone" state returns.
If you need to prepare a return for a different state, you have to purchase the additional state software.
It says 1 per ID, does that mean I can't do myself and 2 other family members on the downloaded version ?
@2020taxtax wrote:
It says 1 per ID, does that mean I can't do myself and 2 other family members on the downloaded version ?
You can create, complete and file as many tax returns you want using the CD/Download desktop editions. The software is only licensed to the purchaser of the software. You can only be install the software on computers that you own.
The premium comes with 1 state for free. E-file cost varies by state I think? And for my state (IL) it is $20.
Early bird discounts are over so now state e-filing for desktop software is $24.99. You can avoid that if you print sign and mail the state instead of e-filing the state.
I verified the first answer in this thread by reading the EULA but don't find that you can prepare returns for "family". Where does it state that?
Thanks
@jeffstorm wrote:
I verified the first answer in this thread by reading the EULA but don't find that you can prepare returns for "family". Where does it state that?
Thanks
You can complete and file tax returns using the TurboTax software for anyone, it is not limited to family. However, you cannot use the software if you are being paid to prepare the tax returns as the software is not licensed for paid tax preparers.
Could I sell my computer to my father for $1, use his TT software on it, prepare the return myself, have him proof it and sign it as preparer then submit it electronically, then buy the computer back from him for $1?
He likely won't go for this way of "cheating" but would it satisfy the EULA?
That sounds silly and unnecessary. Further--when you use TurboTax no one signs as the "preparer"-the return is Self-Prepared. Paid preparers are not allowed to use TurboTax or sign a return as such on a return prepared using TT.
I told my dad it shouldn't be a problem for me to use his software because: how can TurboTax know whether or not I'm using one of his computers or mine? Isn't that the only way he'd be violating the EULA by letting me use it?
I own 2 computers but they are at different locations can I use the same code for each user? Does the second person have to have the actual cd or will the lic. code do.?
You can use the same license code for up to 5 computers/returns.
The second person can download from the Turbo Tax website, using the code from your CD.
To clarify about the Desktop program. You can install the Desktop CD/Download on 5 computers you own. You can do unlimited returns and efile 5 federal for free. The rest you can print and mail. In Deluxe and above you get 1 free State Program download which can prepare unlimited state returns in that state. Then each state efile including the first one is currently $25 to efile. Or you can print and mail state for free. If you nee to file a return for a different state you have to buy another state program download.
To file an additional return with TurboTax Online you would have to start a new account, with a new user id and password, and you would have to pay separately for each one.
If you have several returns to file, the TurboTax Desktop version may be better because you can prepare as many returns as you would like and can e-file up to five for free. Any additional returns would have to be mailed.
You can also get one free state program with the TurboTax Desktop version, but will be charged to e-file every state return.
It also depends of the platform that you use Window or Mac computer . TurboTax requires, specifically Mac OS Mojave 10.14 or advance , If you don’t have it, the change to use the desktop version is zero ! You will have to use the online version that can be used only one time per register account with my TurboTax Intuit !
You can prepare returns for 1 state at no additional cost. Multiple states require a fee per state.
While you can e-file state returns, there is a fee with this. We prepare our state return with turbotax and then print it and mail it in as postage is cheaper than the fee to e-file.
what happened when I purchased a wrong program and must convert to a CD download to file my children tax returns? How do I make this happen?
What did you buy? Did you pay for an Online return and want to switch to the Desktop installed program?
You can move your Online file to the Desktop program and continue without paying for Online or needing to reenter your info. If you already paid for the Online version you can ask them for the Desktop program. And you can buy a lower version Desktop program. All the Desktop programs have the same forms. You just get more help and guidance in the higher versions.
To continue in the desktop version see this…….
Download the .tax2022 file for free
How do I save my TurboTax Online return as a tax data file?
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). Just enter some basic personal info like your name and address then click on the State tab at the top and it should ask if you want to download the state program.
You can buy the CD/Download here or in stores. You need a full Windows or Mac computer to install it.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download