How to e-File Fed Extension using TT - Home & business - CD version?

[scottjohnson277]

There is a reason why TurboTax recently had to pay a huge fine for false advertising and making things confusing.

[scottjohnson277]

unfortunately, the Intuit people monitoring this chat do not read the pages they reference, because if they did they would understand that what they say is not entirely true

[scottjohnson277]

that link takes you to a page that looks like it was made by a 3rd grader. Lots of stupid junk and pictures and very little substance.

[scottjohnson277]

please let me know what you find - looking to leave TT forever

[scottjohnson277]

and if you dont owe taxes, then TT makes it extra hard for you

[scottjohnson277]

please explain WHY you cannot do this via TT. Why do you have to type everything in and then it shows the info and tells you that you cannot send directly through desktop version. You should WRITE THAT ON THE BOX. 

Also, the site you have to go to to file the extension does not work properly. After 30 minutes of trying, I had to print eveything out, fill it in, and then go to post office.

[scottjohnson277]

that link is WORTHLESS

it is a FAQ site, it is not for e-filing

Intuit people need to explain to their supervisors that people hate their BS system

[AnotherDrone]

Well, upon further reading of the 4868 instructions, if you make a payment for an extension at irs.gov/payments you automatically get an extension. So, no need to file the form in that case.

[isamom1982]

FILING EXTENSIONS DIRECTLY WITH TAX AUTHORITIES CREATES ISSUES: While filing directly with federal and State authorities on THEIR website is decidedly faster than the TTax solutions* as one of the forum members remarked, there are two significant issues that this will cause when you actually submit your taxes:

1) As another community member found out, The software will keep thinking you are filing LATE and calculate penalties and interest to pay.  That is because TT has failed to enable telling the software that u filed for an extension. 

2) Some states - like New York - specify that extensions "have to be electronically filed through the tax preparation software with which the return will be filed later".*  If you don't e-file the extension (or can not, as in the case of TT), then the state might not allow you to/reject your state tax to be filed electronically later!  In other words, you will have to print your state tax forms out and mail them in!

TorboTax must be aware of this as complaints on the subject date back many years.  But it seems like the issues does not upset enough filers to warrant their attention. (Just like the Form 1116, Depreciation table, 401k contribution and other ongoing, known issues)

(*The solutions are: 1) Filling out form using your downloaded TT software -print- physical mailing Or @) R-entering your key personal data on Intuit online site and e-filing from there.  It defeats the purpose of having a CD version, of course, if that (also) was to not giving Intuit permission to use your personal date (including SSN, age, income, address, etc.) in perpetuity for any purpose Intuit sees fit - Read the fine print in the conditions of use around page 36!)

** Link to that specification for New York State as an example: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/file/ext.htm#:~:text=How%20to%20request%20your%20extension,we%20received%.... 

@TurboUser4 , @stuart ng , @Victor21 

[Victor21]

Thanks @isamom1982 - Not sure about state extension issues (like NY you point out) but for Federal (and states that automatically honor Federal extension), could one do the following:
1. use the desktop version to create paper form for extension but do not send it, instead,

2. Go to the irs.gov website and pay estimated tax + file for extension
This way the software is happy (it knows extension was requested) and you can still file for extension online.

[HopeS]

You can file Federal and NY Extensions using TurboTax Home and Business.

To file an extension using TurboTax Home and Business:

1. Select FEDERAL TAXES on the top bar menu.
2. Then choose Other Tax Situations.
3. Scroll down to Other Tax Forms.
4. Click the Start button after File an extension and follow the prompts.

Some States offer automatic extensions to file your State income tax return without having to file additional Forms. Other States such as NY will grant an extension but you must request it.

State Extension

@Victor21