TT H&B Desktop vs TT online

[shabuboy]

Hello

I've always used the TT Home and Business Desktop app, wondering if this year I should use the online version instead.

Can it be done? If so, what version or how much would the cost be?
Does it cover the following:
Rentals income, stocks, capital gains, IRAs, W2s, home office, home purchases/sales, HSAs, IRAs, 401k, etc.

[xmasbaby0]

If you use online software you will need Premium.

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

And just so you know—online prices go up in March—Pay your fee before then to lock in the discount

When you use Online TurboTax, you get one return per fee.  Each return needs its own account and user ID.   If you use the same account and user ID for a second return, you overwrite the first one and lose it forever.

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-onli...

 When you use Desktop TurboTax, which you install from a download to your own hard drive, you can prepare and e-file multiple returns for the cost of the software.  You can e-file up to 5 Federal returns—more if you mail the additional ones.  If you have multiple returns to prepare for family members, Desktop is more cost effective.

Desktop --unless you specifically buy federal  Deluxe only from a retailer-- will include the software for one specific state.   You can prepare as many returns for that state as the number of federal returns you prepare.  E-filing state returns is an extra fee which can be avoided by printing and mailing the states.   Additional--other--state software is an additional fee for the software.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901306-how-many-times-can-i-e-file-using-the-turbotax-cd-or-downl...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2750704-what-are-the-advantages-of-the-turbotax-cd-download-softwa...

[DoninGA]

The equivalent to the TurboTax desktop Home & Business edition is the TurboTax online Premium edition - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/premium/

If you used the TurboTax 2023 desktop editions and want to use the TurboTax online editions for 2024, see this TurboTax support FAQ for how to transfer the 2023 tax data file from your computer to the 2024 online edition - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-y...

Note - The state program when using the online editions is an additional charge that is currently $34.  There are no e-file fees, federal or state, when using the online editions.  The online editions do Not have direct access to any forms, schedules or worksheet compared to the desktop editions using Forms mode.

[VolvoGirl]

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

Online is only for the current year.  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 Deluxe and above.   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 until you pay.

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.

[VolvoGirl]

You can Transfer the prior year from the Desktop program into the current Online versions.  You need to have the file ending in .tax2023 on your computer.  So be sure you know where it is.  But if you already started an online return you will have to clear it out and start over or set up a new online account.  How to clear and start over

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-onli...

How to transfer into the Online version, expand the link if you used the CD/download last year........

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900883-how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-in-turbotax-online

And How to switch from Desktop to Online

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-cd-download-to-turbo...

If you used the Desktop program before you may not like the Online version.  It has less features and no Forms Mode.  All the Online versions do not have the same forms so you may need to upgrade to a higher version.  You can only do 1 return.  Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2024 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done.  In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something.  You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.