TurboTax Online Tax Filing

Turbo Tax Online can be accessed from December through mid-October. When it is shutdown, Turbo Tax prepares for the upcoming season. All of your returns from the prior year are available in PDF. However, your incomplete returns are not, yet they do transfer to the current years return. The Free Edition does not provide any return saving though. Keep in mind you will need to know your username and password to access returns.

Availability Turbo Tax CD/Download Software

Various retailers sell Turbo Tax CDs and Download Software’s from November to April, which usually are on discount or you, can purchase them from TurboTax.com. You will have access to the program as long as you are the owner. You can put your tax return on your hard drive or anywhere else, you like. You also do not have to make a password unless you want to.

Deal Breakers

Turbo Tax online does not cover all tax situations though. Sometimes, you will have no choice but to use the CD/Download version. Below are reasons you would not be able to use Turbo Tax Online:

·    Filing corporate, partnership, or any other unique situation that only Turbo Tax Business covers

·         You need to amend or file 2009-2012 taxes

·         You want to import information from Quicken or Quick Books

·         You want to view or prepare in Forms mode

Even though Turbo Tax Online and CD/Download versions support the same forms, we usually would ask you to use software for rare tax situations. For example, if you needed to import more than 500 stock transactions.

Computer Stuff - Turbo Tax CD/Download Software

When using a CD/Download Software you will have to meet more system requirements. You will have to install the software on your computer. You will also be responsible for keeping track of updates. However, it does automatically update based on the default settings.

Cost - Turbo Tax CD/Download Software

With the Turbo Tax CD/Download Software, you have to buy it before you try it yet you do get an unconditional 60-day money back guarantee. If you purchase the Deluxe, Premier, or Home & Business version, you can get one free state return.

However, there is an additional fee when you can file your taxes. You do get to file up to five federal returns free though and up to three state returns for each federal return that is filed electronically. This is great for those who file others returns because it saves you more money than using the online version.