Product selection help when doing taxes for myself and one family member

[kimoleahi]

Hello,

I have read several times which product to buy but am still a bit confused so would appreciate advice on which product to purchase and use.  My situation is rather simple I think.

My end goal is to e-file the Federal and State tax returns (same State both MA) for myself and my Sister.  I already settled that I need the Premier product level.

My questions are

1. Should i buy the CD version or the Online version.?

2. Under either the CD or Online solution will Turbo-tax pre-populate my Sisters State return with her Federal info once I get to that point?

3. Last year we both had separate Online Turbotax accounts - will this confuse or complicate things as i see even for the CD version you need to create an online account (should I create new ones if the CD product is the right solution?) 

Thanks to anyone willing to take the time to guide me.

Peter

[NCperson]

@kimoleahi - with the Online version you pay for each tax return that is submitted.

with Desktop, yuou can submit as many tax returns as you want for the cost of the original software.  

So Desktop is much cheaper if you are doing multiple returns.  You can efile both federal returns at no extra charge (the limit is 5 per IRS rules) but there is an additional charge of $20 per return to efile (but you could always print the state return and mail it in).  The state software normally comes bundled with the price of the original CD.  

Yes, both your return  and your sister's return will pre-populate the state information as you enter information into the federal return. 

one of other benefits of the desktop version, is since you have already paid for the software, you can review the return as you populate it.  with the online version, you can't do that until you have paid for the service. 

[Critter-3]

From the online program simply download both of your .taxfiles so you can transfer the prior year info for each of you.  

[kimoleahi]

Thank you so much.  It was not clear to me that since only one State tax return was included whether or not my Sisters info would seamlessly populate into the MA tax form from her Federal.

It looks like the CD version for sure.

Thanks again

Kimo

[kimoleahi]

Thank you that is good info to know.  I was resigned to starting fresh

[VolvoGirl]

It is one state PROGRAM download, not returns.   The CD/Download Desktop you buy and install the program, which can do unlimited returns. The returns are only saved on your computer and can not be accessed from anywhere else. And not saved at Turbo Tax. So Be sure to save Frequently and make backups. You get 5 federal efile for free. In Deluxe and above you get 1 state PROGRAM download to prepare unlimited state returns (in that state). Each state return including the first one is $20 early or $25 to efile or you can print and mail the state for free. The Desktop programs do not have the expert help that is available to add to Online versions.

Desktop also has many other features and advantages over the Online version. You can do more than 1 return. You can see and enter into the actual forms. It has a What-If worksheet. And you can use a lower version because all the Desktop versions have ALL the same forms. You just get more help in the higher versions. In online you have to upgrade to enter certain kinds of income. Like Premier for investments.

And the Desktop program is always available even after the year ends. Which is good if you ever need to amend your return after online website is closed or get audited and need your tax records.

TO TRANSFER FROM 2021, for each person.........

If you used the online version last year and need to transfer your info to this year's Desktop version there are 2 ways depending on what you have.

1. If you saved the actual .tax2021 file (not just the pdf file) to your computer before online was shut down in Oct. then start a new return and the very first thing you do is Transfer from .tax file. You can only transfer at the very beginning. You should be able to download the .tax2021 file from online. How to Access prior year online returns
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/00/270...

If you can't get the side menus to open up to access the prior year..... You need to start entering some basic Personal Info in 2023 for the side menu to open up. Just continue a little ways into 2022.

2. If you didn't save the .tax file to your computer or lost it, there is a way to do it by starting a 2022 return in the Online version, transfer to that and then continue in the desktop version. You won't have to pay for Online.

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

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

How to Transfer into the Windows Desktop program
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-fo... 

Oh, and if you buy the CD it is better to use the Download option to install it.