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New Member
posted Jun 7, 2019 3:29:59 PM

Why does turbotax always try to sell me the online version when I want the download version???

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3 Replies
Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 3:30:00 PM

Don't know why you think that.  You can buy the Desktop CD/Download program in stores (maybe cheaper) or here <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/">https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/</a>

Level 13
Jun 7, 2019 3:30:02 PM

This is just a guess, of course, but I expect the marginal cost of providing you an online version of TurboTax - a few minutes of very cheap server time - is way less than the marginal cost of cranking out another CD, packaging it, shipping boxes of programs to retailers and so forth.  

Plus, and here's the hidden kicker, with the purchase of one CD you can produce income tax returns for everybody in your extended family.  Alternatively, TurboTax can sell an online version to every member of your extended family.  No wonder the online version is pushed so hard!

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 3:30:03 PM

Well, the website defaults to TT online, most likely because more folks use that than the desktop version, and this is the only place to buy it.

Desktop can also be purchased at stores, and many online retailers.