File Extension from Desktop Version

[psberg0306]

I'm going to have to agree that OP has it right.  I tried to file for an extension on Form 4868 for 2024.  There is no way on TTax to do it electronically.  You have to MAIL it in.  With snail mail, figure on a minimum of 1 week to get there (I'm in Hawaii).  It's just a hassle and one never knows whether the IRS even received the extension request.  It doesn't particularly disturb me that I have to mail it in, because I have pre-figured my taxes and know I will receive a sizable refund.  

TTax has an online lure where they claim you can file an extension for free by going to their website.  But once you are informed that you can file for an extension, they want to sell you a TTax program!  This is really ridiculous.

[mldkvn]

The word EXTEND doesn't work in the help menu on desk top, which TurboTax needs to fix!

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

Repeating....

Does anyone from Turbotax/Intuit even monitor these boards?  Seems like a pretty straightforward feature request.   You have 10,000 other features.  Why not allow filing an extension from the desktop version?

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

@turbotax @intuit 

Does anyone from Turbotax/Intuit even monitor these boards?  Seems like a pretty straightforward feature request.   You have 10,000 other features.  Why not allow filing an extension from the desktop version?

[mldkvn]

https://easy-extension.turbotax.intuit.com

 I used the link above it was pretty fast under a free account.  Was able to e-file it at the end.  Do wish this was on the desktop version.  For state you usually just need to send in an estimated payment, the federal extension is good for state too, until Oct 15th.

[DawnC]

You don't have to have 2 sets of books.   You had to create a TurboTax Online account to install the desktop software.   Use this link - Easy Extension website and sign into that TurboTax Online account.   

You have to enter name, address, and SSNs and then your estimates, see the only data (amounts) entry page below.   You can skip past the TurboTax payment screen and choose to pay your tax bill at the IRS website.   TurboTax will e-file your extension.  

@WapellaTaxQuestions    @psberg0306   @mldkvn 

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

That is literally keeping two sets of books.  One set, with Turbotax Desktop and the other set with Turbotax Online.

Terrible accounting practice.  Things should be consistent and traceable.  

[Cincolo]

I just go to the website and file it.  It's just a form to extend and doesn't require all your tax info.  Then you get into your desktop TurboTax and complete and file when you're ready. 

If you made a payment when you extended, make sure you enter that  (from TurboTax Community):
To enter the amount you paid with an extension (including state extension)  go to

Federal Taxes (or Personal for desktop H&B version)

Deductions and Credits

Then scroll way down to Estimates and Other Taxes Paid

Other Income Taxes - Click the Start or Update button

Next page second section Payments with Extension

Either Visit All or Click Start or Update by the extension you paid

Pay attention to which year you are entering for a State Extension payment.  A prior year state extension payment is also deductible on the federal return so be sure to enter it here.

To get the amount paid on a state extension to show up on the state return……

When you are done updating your federal return, you need to transfer the new federal information by going back through the state tab and the state return. Nothing will change until you transfer the fed info to the state again.

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

That is keeping a second set of books and exactly what I am trying to avoid.  

No reason that customers paying for Turbo Tax shouldn't have a single, consistent record.  

[Cincolo]

I guess I don't consider it a big deal or a separate set of books.  It's just a form.  I have the PDF copy as proof I filed an extension.  It asks for 2 figures from taxes.  If you owe, then you do have to go back into the desktop version and add that payment.  Nothing else is done in the online version.  If I recall, if you select the option to do it in desktop, it only has you print the form, but it reminds you to enter any payments. If doing the extension on the website, you have to remember to add those payments.  I agree though that it seems odd not to have the electronic filing option in desktop. However, to me it's not a big deal to spend 3 minutes to file it online.  In fact, I just did it for my sister's taxes I am filing for her for the first time this year.

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

So why even use an electronic filing system then, if you have a second set of paper records floating around disconnected to your digital records?

There are thousands of fields that Turbotax does a good job consistently maintaining.  Why  not add a couple more with filing extensions and estimated taxes?

[OrishaAye]

Hello,

What the original poster is suggesting is that within the desktop version you include the ability to electronically file an extension. This was an option in previous versions. For some reason now, within the desktop version (of home and business at least), when you choose to file an extension it sends you to the paper form which must be printed and mailed out. However you can e-file an extension through your site online. Easy fix is to link the e-file online system to the desktop version (or at least include the link) instead of forcing paper extension filing as the only option.

I had to do several searches online before I was directed to the e-file site. It shouldn't be that difficult once I've purchased the software and am trying to file the extension from my desktop version.

[DoninGA]

For future reference - You can get an automatic extension from the IRS if you make an extension payment on the IRS website for Direct Pay on or before the due date of the federal tax return - https://directpay.irs.gov/directpay/payment?execution=e1s1

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

Not to sound like a broken record, but why even use an electronic filing system then, if you have a second set of paper records floating around disconnected to your digital records?

There are thousands of fields that Turbotax does a good job consistently maintaining.  Why not one add a couple more with filing extensions and estimated taxes?

[packman]

One additional note on this that people seem to be ignoring, is that often the request for extension ISN'T JUST THE REQUEST.   It can ALSO include (and in my case did include) a payment towards expected tax bill.   So it's not just a "form to fill out" - it's literally part of your tax accounting itself.    As mentioned - forcing people to do electronic via online version is keeping your books in two different places - one online (which people who buy desktop generally want to avoid), and one in desktop.

So I ended up doing the snail-mail thing.   Intuit - please fix this!   I wouldn't even consider this a feature request even - IMO it's a defect.   Anything that's supported in the online version should also be supported in the desktop version.