I am done with TurboTax

[Marty A]

I have been using Turbotax for over 25 years as well.  I always use the CD.  Last year, I had a problem with the CD being corrupt.  Tech support told me to use the online version as it "is the same."  However, once using it, I discovered it is NOT the same.  The online/downloaded version does not have a Forms option!  (When I called back to tech support, that next person said, "it is not the same and the previous person should have told me that.")   I often go from the interview back to the Forms to review and see the finished product.  I could NOT do that.  It was so frustrating.  I am looking at switching to HR Block or something else that has those features.  At this point, if I have to use a downloaded version, I'm not going with Turbotax as I could not navigate it the way the CD works.  Their own people know that, too.

[VolvoGirl]

@Marty A   The confusion is that the Online version is NOT the Download program.    The Download program is EXACTLY the same Desktop program as the CD.  You buy it the same way directly from Turbo Tax or in stores like Costco.   You know when you installed the CD you still had to go online to update it.   It's only the method you use to install it.    Even when I bought the CD I used the download method to install it.  So come back to Turbo Tax.   

If you used the Online version for 2023 you can Transfer it into the Desktop program.   So log into your account and save the .tax2023 file to your computer NOW so you can transfer it.  

Save the tax file
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/saving/help/how-do-i-save-my-turbotax-online-return-as-a-tax-data-...

[Marty A]

Thank you for your reply.  I just finished a call with Turbo Tax tech support that was outstanding.  She said basically what you did, that the website version and downloaded version are "completely different and separate products."  She said if I want the Forms option like the CD has provided, I should still purchase the product in a store (but, it won't have a CD.)  It will have a license code and I will download the program.  Just as when I would use the CD and then download updates.   That is a significant piece of information that TT has not communicated.  I assumed going to the "website" is just like getting the CD (or future license code in the store) and "downloading" updates from the website.   But, they are different.   I told her thinking "website" and "download" seem the same to me since I'm downloading from a website and that is why this is confusing.  Again, the company needs to make that clearer.  Best news is that I can stay with TT.  

[VolvoGirl]

Glad you confirmed my post.  So when you had to use the Online version you would have had to pay again for Online?  Did you get a refund for the bad CD?  They should have just put the download in your account.  Maybe they did but you ended up in the Online version by accident.

[poncho_mike]

I'm not happy with some of the changes TurboTax has made in recent years, and I've been a user since at least 2008.  I ran into issues a couple of years ago where you had to pay extra to get questions answered through experts.  TT charged my credit card and said I would be sent an email when I could use the service.  I never got the email, later found out TT cancelled the transaction.  I finally got help through TT, but it was a major chore getting there.  I had to escalate the situation to a manager.

Anyway, I am OK with downloading the software from Amazon or one of the reputable online sources.  But I will not do my taxes online.  I still print my forms out and mail them to the IRS via snail mail.  I also store my tax files on an encrypted flash drive that is only installed in the computer when I'm working on TurboTax.  I don't like having my 1099s and W2s and other data stored in the cloud.

So for now, I continue to use TT.  If it becomes too much of a hassle, I will look at alternatives or pay a CPA to do my taxes (assuming he doesn't store my data on the cloud).

[Marty A]

I don't believe I was charged for the online version.  I was not able to return the CD to the store as it had been opened and there was no verification that it was not working.  But, it worked out ok as I paid for TT (store) and was able to complete my taxes using TT (online.) 

And, you are correct; the person put me in the online version not the download version and that is why I was not pleased with how it functioned.

[VolvoGirl]

Hmmmmm,  did you have a refund? If you don’t remember paying for the Online version maybe you had the fees deducted from your refund.  Or support might have given you a service code to enter.  Doesn’t really matter, I’m just curious.  It’s all in the past, what’s done is done.

[Oldlady]

So I always buy my Turbo tax at Sams club but would love to buy on line and get started earlier HOWEVER I am getting a new computer for Christmas.  And I want the cardboard to show I bought the dang thing, otherwise if there are issues all I have is exactly nothing.   Can I buy something physical for you to mail me?

[VolvoGirl]

You don't have to worry about that anymore.  Since you now have to log into an Intuit Account when you install it all your downloads and licenses are listed there (even if you bought it from somewhere else) so if you need to download to install it again or install on another computer, even on the other operating system (Windows, Mac).

I bought the download from Costco for 2023. Since you now have to log in to a Turbo Tax Account, the License Code and download are listed in my Turbo Tax account. Access your downloads here
https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/commerce/account/secure/login.jsp?pagecontext=download