What is the difference between turbotax home and business version, and turbotax self employed version

[VolvoGirl]

No it's 5 efiles for different people for the same year.  Like if you do returns for your children or parents, etc.  You can do unlimited returns and efile 5.  The rest you can print and mail.  Also if you do a state return it is $25 to efile each state return including the first one.  Or you can print and mail state for free.

You have to buy a new program each year.

[wongkcus]

Oh thank you!

Do you think the extra $20 on that Self-Employed is worth it if you're never going to use the one-to-one?

I am transitioning from the online (free version) and have no knowledge whether the desktop software is as easy as you would use the online version.

Your insight is appreciated.

[VolvoGirl]

The Desktop program has more features AND you can buy a lower version.  All the Desktop programs have the same forms. You just get more help and guidance in the higher versions. 

And the Desktop program can do unlimited returns and efile 5 Federal for free.

You can see and enter directly into the actual forms.

There is a What-If worksheet.

Basic does not include a free state program and has some other limitations like doesn’t import from It’s Deductible.

Deluxe and above include one free state program download to prepare unlimited returns for the same state.  Then each state return is $20 to efile (goes up to $25 in March).  Or you can print and mail state for free. If you need to also file a state return for a different state it is $40 to buy an additional state program.

If you buy Deluxe in the stores it comes 2 ways, Deluxe with State and without state for states that don't have an income tax.  So watch what you buy.  It should say Federal+Efile+State.

You can transfer from online into the Desktop program.  Transfer from Online into the Windows Desktop program.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-fo...

One way is to start a 2020 Online return and transfer into that.  Then you can download the .tax2020 file from online and just OPEN it in the Desktop program.

In the Desktop program be sure to save frequently.  Your return is only saved and stored on your computer.

[wongkcus]

Thank you for your sharing.

So it all points to the desktop better than the online. 

So I already are halfway thru the online Self-Employed version for 2020.

I should get it done short to submitting (because that's where you are charged) and at that time transfer it to the desktop version?

that'd be most ideal to avoid me doing the online stuff over again on the desktop.

[VolvoGirl]

Yes or download the .tax2020 file now and continue in the Desktop program.