I would like to use Turbotax for tax scenarios in 2020. This would be seperate from usual filing of 2019 return. What is the best way to do this?

[Critter]

There are 2 answers to your question, depending on if you use the On-Line version of TTax or if you use the Desktop version (which is installed on your computer).  Hint: Desktop version gives you more flexibility and options.

For DESKTOP version ONLY
Select 'Forms Mode' - (upper right corner of Step-by-Step screen)
Select 'Open Form'  - (upper LEFT corner (just above "Forms in My Return" click on icon)
Enter "What-if" (without quotes) in the Search field (at top under 'Search or Browse ,,,' heading)
'Double Click' on the "What-if" entry listed in the list of forms below (under 'US Form 1040 ...')

NOTE: Be sure to type the search phrase SLOWLY, and to use a '-' and not a space between the words entered.  The search will auto-complete generally by the time 'wh' is entered.

For safety, to protect your return, whenever you are doing things like a 'what-if' compare, it is a good practice to make a COPY of your return and do the 'what-if' exercise on the COPY.

For On-Line version
You appear to be using the TTax On-Line version.  Unfortunately the on-line version does not support a 'what-if' scenario (that is only available with the desktop version).

Once you make ANY changes to the online version the previous information is overwritten and is PERMANENTLY deleted.  You will have to manually re-enter/re-create your return.

You might want to try to create NEW dummy accounts for your various scenarios and then simply abandon them when you are finished.

Create New On-Line account:
turbotax.com and look for the 'New to TurboTax?" 'Start for Free' BLUE button near the top center of the screen.
How to Clear AND Delete

How to clear an on-line return and start over
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900891-how-do-i-start-over-in-turbotax-online
(Please note that the link may 'appear' to be truncated, however it will
work (if you hover your mouse over the link you will see the full link.)

How to delete tax return in TTax On-line
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899886-can-i-delete-my-tax-return-in-turbotax-online
(Please note that the link may 'appear' to be truncated, however it will
work (if you hover your mouse over the link you will see the full link.)

Note: This will also clear/delete and data your have transferred from last year or downloaded from a Financial Institution.

CAVEAT:
While you can clear the information in a return in an account, you CANNOT delete an account.

If you still want to use TTax On-Line, TurboTax's TaxCaster may be of some help

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/taxcaster/ 

[Andy-P]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Would Taxcaster be treated separately from my on-line filing of my 2019 return? 

Andy

[Critter]

Taxcaster is a separate tool. 

[Andy-P]

Thanks for your reply.

I've done some tests scenarios, but I find it very limited and frankly next to useless.  And no way to save or print scenarios.

I hope Turbotax is listening.  An on-line version that allows for various scenarios seems like a nice add-on feature.  I'm constantly testing various combinations buys and sells of stocks for an optimum tax benefit.   I currently use Quicken, but frankly it's difficult to understand and it makes the wrong assumptions  Perhaps Turbotax could offer it for little extra fee. 

Are you listening turbotax?

Cheers,

Andy

[Critter]

There will never be such an add on to the ONLINE version ... if you want the bells you have to use the Downloaded version ... once you use it you will never settle for the inferior online version again. 

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

• >>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy: 
•  Open your return in TurboTax. 
•  From the File menu, choose Save As. 
•  Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name). 
• Click  Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original. 
• https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

• >> use the WHAT IF tool: 
• - Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view) 
• - Click on the Open Form Icon 
• - In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form 
• - You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form 
• - To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

1. From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
2. Browse to where you want to save your backup.
   • Tip:If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
3. In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
4. Click Save and then close TurboTax.
5. Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:                             

• Retrieve a Tax File from a Portable Device
• What's the difference between the tax data file and the PDF file?

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?
• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Mac?

AND protect the files :

• How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

[Critter · Accepted solution]

And FYI ... if you use the downloaded version you ONLY need the Deluxe for all tax situations (Basic if you don't need a state return)  so you actually can save money using the superior product ...

Online premier $70 + state $40  ( 90 + 45 after discount period ends) =$110

Downloaded Deluxe $70 (includes state) + $20 to efile each state = $90

And if you shop around you can even get the program cheaper.