What is the difference between the cd download and online download and are they compatible?

Hello myonkoski,

Surely you can transfer from your 2012 desktop TurboTax to 2013 Online TurboTax.

Which one better fits your needs? You decide! Here are the major differences between TurboTax Online and the TurboTax CD/Download software.

No matter which one you go with, you'll be getting the same quality product that has made TurboTax is the #1-rated, best-selling tax software year after year!

TurboTax Online

• Try before you buy – you don't pay until you e-file or print your return.
  • For this reason, our unconditional 60-day money-back guarantee does not apply to TurboTax Online.
• TurboTax Online Free Edition lets you file your 1040EZ or 1040A for free!
• TurboTax Online Military Edition is free for pay grades E-1 through E-5.
• State return preparation fees are extra for all versions of TurboTax Online.
  • However, the cost of e-filing the state return is built into the state preparation fee.
• E-file 1 federal return and up to 5 state returns per unique User ID/Password combination.
  • Generally, the TurboTax CD/Download software will save you money if you're filing multiple returns.

TurboTax CD/Download software

• Buy before you try – covered by our unconditional 60-day money-back guarantee.
• One free state product is usually included with TurboTax Deluxe, Premier, and Home & Business versions.
  • However, the cost of e-filing the state return is extra.
• E-file up to 5 federal returns, and up to 3 state returns for each federal return you e-file.
  • If you're preparing returns for other family members, or if you're filing an RDP or civil union return, the CD/Download software usually costs less than Online.

For current, direct-from-TurboTax prices for both Online and CD/Download software, click here.

TurboTax Online

• System requirements are usually lower than the CD/Download software.
• Prepare and file your return from virtually any computer or device with Internet access.
• Updates are automatic and require no action on your part.

TurboTax CD/Download software

• System requirements are usually higher than TurboTax Online. Windows Requirements | Mac Requirements
• Install the TurboTax software on your computer.
• The software must be updated regularly.
  • The automatic (background) update option is enabled by default.

TurboTax Online

• TurboTax Online is available from early December through mid-October for the current tax year only.
  • Outside of that timeframe, TurboTax Online shuts down to get ready for the upcoming tax season.
• Completed prior-year Basic, Deluxe, Premier, and Home & Business returns in PDF format are available by signing in to your account.
  • Incomplete prior-year returns are not available (however, the data will transfer to next year's Online return).
  • Prior-year returns, completed or not, are not available to Free Edition customers.
  • For more information on how TurboTax Online handles prior-year returns, click here.
• TurboTax Online requires a unique User ID/Password combination to access your return.

TurboTax CD/Download software

• Available from many retailers November through April, often at a discount, or year-round at TurboTax.com.
• The program is available for as long as you own the software and a computer to run it on.
• Tax returns are stored locally, on your hard drive (or other storage device of your choosing).
• No password is required, unless you choose to set one up.

There are some things TurboTax Online doesn't currently handle. In these cases, you must to use the CD/Download version if you:

• Need to file a corporation, partnership, or other return handled by TurboTax Business;
• Need to prepare, amend, or file your 2009 through 2012 taxes;
• Want to import data from Quicken or QuickBooks; or
• Want to view or prepare your taxes in Forms mode.

Although TurboTax Online and the personal tax software support the same tax forms, in rare situations we recommend the software over the online version (for example, if filing Form 982).

Also, if you need to import more than 500 stock transactions, we recommend using the TurboTax software. More info

• TurboTax Online Product Guide
• TurboTax Software Product Guide

Hope this helps.

Thanks for using TurboTax.

One important difference is that the Deluxe version in CD form can to stock transactions while the online version can't.    Is Download and CD identical in this sense?  How many computers can use the download version?