What is the difference between all the different Turbo Tax products? What are the individual prices?

[robtm · Accepted solution]

see the following link for product and pricing information:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/where-can-i-find-turbotax-prices/00/25708

[VolvoGirl]

ONLINE vs DESKTOP

The Online web version is different than the Desktop CD/Download program you install.  The pricing structure is totally different.  

Online you pay to prepare the return whether you efile or print and mail.  Efiling is free and included in all versions.  And state is a Separate Additional charge in ALL Online versions including the federal Free Edition.   Oh and Online is only good for 1 Account and 1 return.  In the Online versions you have to use a higher versions to enter certain types of income like investments and self employment.  Online you can’t see the actual forms like the Desktop program.

You can access an online return from any computer and device.  Your return is stored at Turbo Tax.  So be sure to download the pdf and .tax files to your computer when you are done or you may not be able to access it when you need a copy.  Or if you ever need to amend.

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 19.99/24.99 to efile or you can print and mail the state for free.

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.  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.

Window System Requirements

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/minimum-system-requirements-for-turbotax-...

Mac System Requirements

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/minimum-system-requirements-for-turbotax-...

Online version system requirements

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/turbotax-online-system-requirements/00/25...

And the Mobile App which is just a portal to the online version.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/mobile/

You can buy the Desktop CD/Download program now here,

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

You can start an Online return here, 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/ 

[HatCat1989]

I wish I had understood that there was a difference between the two products.  Why one would want one version over another.  If you change computers (due mostly to software/hardware issues caused by Microsoft) then the CD version is basically lost for the years and years you did it that way.   I honestly thought my data was held by TurboTax and found out the hard way.  

Transferring the information from computer to computer is basically having to connect/read the cd from prior years so you have to have them, as well as the product code that comes with it.   Without both items, you are out of luck.   NOW I understand.  Susanne 

[VolvoGirl]

@HatCat1989   Nothing should be lost.  You can move your prior returns to a new computer.  And you don't need to install the prior years program or CD.  You can transfer from the prior year into either the Online version or the Desktop program.   But you should be making your own backups of the .tax files and pdf files.  

TO MOVE TO ANOTHER COMPUTER 

You only need the file ending in .tax2021 to transfer into 2022.

Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2017, .tax2018 or .tax2019 or .tax2020 etc.  They should be in your Documents in a Turbo Tax folder.  You should also have the pdf files of each year.  Or search your computer for all files ending in .tax.  Also if you haven't done it,  I would open each year in the program and save it as a PDF file, go to File-Save to PDF so you don't need the program installed to view or print your return in the future like to get a mortgage or loan, etc.

What I would do is just copy the whole Turbo Tax folder that is under your Documents.  That should be where the .tax files and pdf files are stored.  Copy that folder to a flash drive or best yet is to burn it to a CD or DVD and then you will have a backup of them.   Then on the new computer copy the folder (or files) from the flash drive to your Documents folder.

The programs need to be installed from the CD or download them again.  You don't need to install them unless you need to amend or open a return.  They only support the last 3 years so you might not be able to update older years or download any state programs you need.

See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-compu...

[SteamTrain]

SAVE every Year as a PDF file....as soon as your tax file has been "Accepted"....and back them all up to a USB flash drive.  (Printing and saving in a lockable file drawer is also recommended.  Putting a second USB-flash drive, with everything important,  in your bank safe-deposit box every year is up to you...but I do it, switching out the older one to update and put in the box next year.)

________

You are usually not able to fully install the desktop tax software for any year beyond 3-4yrs old.  So having the .taxyyyy datafiles older than 3-4 years may be useless to you on the new computer.  The PDF will likely be readable for many years into the future.