How to apply an unused desktop license to an existing online account?

[j_liu21]

Someone purchased a TurboTax Premier 2025 Federal + E-file & State Desktop version from Costco for me.  Unfortunately I'm still on Windows 10 and the the desktop forces me to the online site.  I have an previous online TurboTax account (purchased directly from Intuit if that matters) and when I try to login, I get the following message: 

"That account is already linked to a tax return. To use your license code, sign in to a different account or create a new one" with the option to sign in with a different account or create a new account:

Questions:

1) Is there any way to keep my existing account or do I need to create a new account?

2) If I need to create a new account,

 a) any issue importing the old .tax2024 file into the new account?

 b) are there differences between Intuit vs Costco license.  In other words should I be concerned about purchasing a specific license next year?

[j_liu21]

That's odd, I went through the install process again and this time it worked.

[VolvoGirl]

Did your Desktop License Code work in Online?

2025 Migration to Online Offer

TurboTax Desktop to Online Migration Offer Terms (Tax Year 2025)

The offer is good for 1 federal and state returns.    If you used the Desktop program last year here’s How to transfer into the Online version, expand the blue link if you used the CD/download last year

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-...

If you used the Desktop program before you may notice several differences and not like the online version.  It has less features and no Forms Mode.  You can only do 1 return per account.    Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2025 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done.  In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something.  You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

[j_liu21]

Yes, my desktop license code did work for TurboTax Online

[j_liu21]

I've not used the desktop previously and the 2024 information does show up for my 2025 return, so everything seems to be working as expected.