Opening Returns

[reyesway]

Is there a way to open multiple instances of TT at the same time or view multiple returns side by side?  Or view multiple forms of the same return side by side?

I'd like to be able to view my return and my child's return without switching back and forth. 

I'd like to view multiple forms from the same return side by side.

[VolvoGirl]

No.  Are you using the Desktop program or the Online version?  

[robtm]

To do that you would need to be able to access both returns on the same computer and be in split-screen mode on your computer.

[reyesway]

@VolvoGirl I am using the desktop version.

[reyesway]

@robtm I know how to use split-screen mode (good thought), but I am unable to open a second instance of TT.  When I try to open TT again, I end up back at the instance I already have open.

Maybe my question should have been a little clearer:

I want to open two returns that I am currently working on at the same time so that I can compare and/or change values in either one without switching back and forth between those returns using File -> Open Tax Return.

I don't want to save each return as a PDF to compare then have to keep switching in TT to make changes then save it as a PDF again.

[squidlady]

Every year I prepare my return 3 different ways, simultaneously. I have all 3 files open on my computer at the same time. No split-screen mode needed. I'm starting with my previous year's return (and there are 3 versions of each one. What I suggest you try is to just copy your current return and change the name of the copy, and open both that copy and the original one together. In other words, open the original one, and whilst that is still open, open the copy. I can't imagine this not working, but if not, then you would have to try something else like doing a "save as" in the 1st one and changing the name for the 2nd one.

In other words, YES it is possible to have more than one return open at the same time! I've been doing that for at least13 years now.

[VolvoGirl]

@squidlady   Are you on Windows or Mac?  I think it maybe possible on a Mac.  Are you opening the actual tax files .tax2023 in the program or the pdf files?  

[VolvoGirl]

Oh, you can have 2 returns open at the same time  FOR DIFFERENT YEARS.   

[squidlady]

I'm on a Mac (I should have said, sorry.)

Of course I'm talking about the .tax2024 (not 2023) files in TT. (Not talking about the .pdf files at all). 3 different returns with different names, open side by side on my Mac.

I actually work on 3 different versions of the return at once and have done every year for several years. (This is necessary for me the way my husband and I have our assets and liabliites divided, we each have a different percentage so I use 3 returns to figure out how much each of us owes or gets back. We keep our money separate. This is for anyone questioning my sanity in running 3 returns at once (Only one will get filed. The other 2 are for calculation purposes and since I am self-employed, the returns are extensive and run to over 100 pages).

[squidlady]

I have 3 returns open for the SAME YEAR on my Mac, and have done for several years. As I said in an above post, 2 of them are "dummy" returns for me to figure out hubby's and my situations separately. Only the "real" return with all of our info gets filed. But again - THREE instances of TT for the SAME TAX YEAR are open at once on my Mac.

[reyesway]

@VolvoGirl I am on a Windows10 PC.

I have multiple returns, just can't see them at the same time.

From within TT, if I File -> Open Return, it switches to the return I selected.  And I can switch returns by opening it, but I can't see them at the same time.

I also tried going to the File Explorer and opening the .tax2024 files from there.  The first one launches TT with the selected return.  When I do the same for the second return, the TT window opens again with the first file I opened.

[reyesway]

@squidlady I just can't seem to get that to work.  I also tried selecting both .tax2024 files in File Explorer and opening at the same time but TT gets launched with only one.  It doesn't matter if I do a Save As from within TT or make a copy with a new name from within File Explorer.

[reyesway]

@squid I also like to have several versions to figure out which one is the best to file.  This lets me experiment with the numbers.  I just can't seem to see them at the same time in a side by side format.

I'm on a Windows10 PC.

[squidlady · Accepted solution]

Darn! So sorry. I guess it is a Windows thing! 😯

I just googled and found other people asking the same question and it just doesn't look possible in Windows...

I can't imagine why.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/how-to-work-on-multiple-returns-in-parallel/00/32...

[squidlady]

It is a shame that you can't do that on your Windows computer. I never realized that, having been using Macs for many years now. Sorry!