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Turbotax CD or complete on website?

I purchased the Home & Business already but my son told me to do it via the website.  Should I download the cd or take it back to the store?  
I have 3 returns to do.  1. Personal and self employed  2. Trust B from deceased husband    2.  Simple return for cottage that's in an LLC with no income. The cottage is in Massachusetts but it's a Connecticut LLC.
 Can I do all of these online?  Cost?
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DDollar
Expert Alumni

Turbotax CD or complete on website?

Let's start with the Trust.  For a Trust you will have to use TurboTax Business.  It is a desktop program that you install on your computer either by download or CD.  There is no Online version with which you can prepare a Form 1041 for a Trust.

For the LLC, if it's a single member (only one owner) then by default the IRS considers it a disregarded entity unless you choose for it to be taxed as a S-Corp (which is rare for rental property).  If it is a disregarded entity you would report it as a part of your personal tax return using Schedule C (Self-Employed).  If the LLC is a multi-member LLC, then you would either file as a partnership using Form 1065, or as an S-Corp on Form 1120-S.  Both the partnership and S-corp returns are prepared using the Business program - the same program you would use for the Trust.

For your personal return I recommend you use the desktop if you are going to use TurboTax Business to prepare the returns for your Trust (and perhaps) the LLC.  The desktop version has functions that the Online version does not have, the most significant being a Forms mode where you can see the forms and worksheets in the return and in many instances make entries or changes directly on the forms.  You can complete as many returns as you want (and can e-file up to five) in Desktop.  There is no charge for additional returns.  It all resides on your computer, so you can't access it from any device with an internet connection, and TurboTax does not save your .tax files and returns in the cloud.  You are responsible for maintaining back up copies. 

When deciding between Desktop and Online, it's a matter of personal preference.  I prefer the desktop version because I like to be able to see the forms and schedules.  Lots of people have no desire to do that and prefer the Online.

See the following links for product information, comparisons, and pricing:

Desktop Products and Pricing

Online Products and Pricing Guide

Purchase TurboTax Business




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1 Reply
DDollar
Expert Alumni

Turbotax CD or complete on website?

Let's start with the Trust.  For a Trust you will have to use TurboTax Business.  It is a desktop program that you install on your computer either by download or CD.  There is no Online version with which you can prepare a Form 1041 for a Trust.

For the LLC, if it's a single member (only one owner) then by default the IRS considers it a disregarded entity unless you choose for it to be taxed as a S-Corp (which is rare for rental property).  If it is a disregarded entity you would report it as a part of your personal tax return using Schedule C (Self-Employed).  If the LLC is a multi-member LLC, then you would either file as a partnership using Form 1065, or as an S-Corp on Form 1120-S.  Both the partnership and S-corp returns are prepared using the Business program - the same program you would use for the Trust.

For your personal return I recommend you use the desktop if you are going to use TurboTax Business to prepare the returns for your Trust (and perhaps) the LLC.  The desktop version has functions that the Online version does not have, the most significant being a Forms mode where you can see the forms and worksheets in the return and in many instances make entries or changes directly on the forms.  You can complete as many returns as you want (and can e-file up to five) in Desktop.  There is no charge for additional returns.  It all resides on your computer, so you can't access it from any device with an internet connection, and TurboTax does not save your .tax files and returns in the cloud.  You are responsible for maintaining back up copies. 

When deciding between Desktop and Online, it's a matter of personal preference.  I prefer the desktop version because I like to be able to see the forms and schedules.  Lots of people have no desire to do that and prefer the Online.

See the following links for product information, comparisons, and pricing:

Desktop Products and Pricing

Online Products and Pricing Guide

Purchase TurboTax Business




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