Sort of.
For online, there is only one seller (turbotax), and they can change the price at any time.
•Each tax return, if you have more than one, requires a separate user account and separate fee, unless you qualify for free filing.
•There are separate charges for federal and state returns. State returns include e-filing as part of the price.
•Direct access to forms and worksheets is restricted.
•You can't print a full copy of your actual return until after you pay.
•Your tax info is stored securely online, but you have to pay each year (like a subscription) to maintain continued access. (You can download your tax information to your computer for free until October 15 of each year.)
The desktop version is available as a CD or download, either direct from Turbotax or from authorized resellers. You must pay up front. That locks in the price so you don't get any last minute increases, but you can't "start for free". If you buy from a reputable reseller like Staples, Costco or Amazon, you can usually get a discount.
•Each copy can e-file up to 5 federal returns for the original price, and you can print and mail an unlimited number. (It's not licensed for professional use but you might have teens with jobs or siblings or parents that you help out with taxes.)
•One free state preparation module is included in the price for Premier and Home & Business. Deluxe is sold both with a free state and with federal only (because some states don't have income tax). If you want Deluxe with the free state, look for Deluxe + State + E-file.
•Each state e-file is $20-$25 extra, but if you prefer cost over speed you can print and mail in your state returns.
•Desktop allows direct access to all forms and worksheets at any time. You can print a draft for comparison with other services or past years, or use the direct access for troubleshooting, or if you prefer manual entry.
•Desktop Deluxe + State + E-file includes all the forms for investments, rental and small business that are restricted to the higher priced online versions, although with less in-program help and advice.
•With desktop, your tax return is only stored on your computer. It is not posted online and so not vulnerable to hacking if you use a dumb password, but if your computer crashes and you don't have backups, your file is gone forever.
I only recommend online to taxpayers who qualify to file for free.
If your income is less than $31,000, you can file using the Tax Freedom edition, which includes complicated forms not normally included in the free version. It's a different web site for contractual reasons and you need to make a new account to use the Freedom version. https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/
