My wife and I file separately, do we need two turbo tax accounts or can we purchase one program and use it twice.

[TomK2023]

In TurboTax Online, you can prepare and e-file one federal and up to five associated state returns under the same account login (your account is your username, not your e-mail address). And you can file up to five federal returns under the same email.

You also have the option to use the TurboTax Desktop product which allows you to e-file up to five federal returns. If you don't want to file for yourself and instead want to file your family members' returns, this is usually the best option.

For each unique federal tax return, you will be required to create a new TurboTax Online account. Each account must have a separate login, and each return should have a unique Social Security or Tax ID number.

All accounts may be subject to TurboTax fees depending on the complexity of each federal return, and the number of state returns.

The IRS prohibits using the same email address to e-file more than five federal returns with an online personal tax return preparation product.

@reil403173 

[Edited 3/01/24 | 2:28pm PST]

[xmasbaby0]

When you use Online TurboTax, you get one return per fee.  Each return needs its own account and user ID.   If you use the same account and user ID for a second return, you overwrite the first one and lose it forever.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-onli...

If you were legally married at the end of 2023 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $27,700 (+$1500 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit. 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return.

 Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice since with online, you get one return per fee.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...