Can I switch from TurboTax Desktop to online?
A: Yes, you can transfer your previous year's Desktop tax data file (with a filename extension . tax[year], such as . tax2019) into TurboTax Live Online Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed for tax year 2020.
Sign in to TurboTax Online and start a new return, or open or continue a return you already started. After the screen has loaded, select the TaxTools drop-down menu in the left column, and then select Tools. In the pop-up window, select the Transfer last year's TurboTax return from your computer link.
As long as you haven't already mailed your 2022 paper return, you can switch to the e-filing method (through April 18, 2023). However, some states now require e-filing, which means the federal and state must be e-filed together.
If you originally selected TurboTax Free Edition, Deluxe, Premier, or Self-Employed, you can add TurboTax Live. You can do this at different points while working on your return, but to add it now: Sign into your current account and open or continue your return. Select the Live Tax Advice button.
For most people, the best option is using TurboTax online, where you do your taxes on your computer, or using the TurboTax mobile app. There's a free version of the software available, but it only works for the simplest tax returns. The most popular version is TurboTax Deluxe, for $59 plus $49 per state.
That's OK — you can download your software directly from TurboTax. But, keep in mind, you can't use both the CD and the download. You must use one or the other.
- Make sure you're signed into TurboTax and have opened your return.
- Select Upgrade from the menu.
- Select the version you'd like to upgrade to.
- We'll prompt you to pay if you want to print or e-file your taxes. You can also prepay at any time: Select File from the menu.
- Sign in to TurboTax and open or continue your return, if you haven't already.
- Select Tax Tools from the left menu, then Clear & Start Over.
- Answer Yes to confirm.
Click Online in the black menu in the top left-hand side of the TurboTax screen.
Returns can't be e-filed if they: Contain overrides. Have no taxable income. Contain a W-2 where box 1 is blank or the box 16 amount is greater than the box 1 amount.
Can I change my tax return from mail to e file?
Yes. If you need to amend your 2020, 2021 or 2022 Forms 1040 or 1040-SR you can now file Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return electronically using available tax software products. Additionally, amended Form 1040-NR and amended Form 1040-SS/PR can now be filed electronically for tax year 2021 and 2022.
To that end, eFile gets the job done for a lower price than TurboTax or H&R Block. Its menu of services is slimmer and more streamlined than the industry heavyweights, making the platform less overwhelming. While it does include a free option for federal returns, there are some notable limitations.

You upgrade to TurboTax Live.
For a premium price, you can pay for instant, live access to a tax expert. You opt for TurboTax Live Full Service: For about double the cost of filing yourself, you can hire a tax expert to take care of it all for you. The all-in cost is between $0 and $389 for a federal return.
If we detect that your tax situation requires expanded coverage, like deductions for owning a home, unemployment income, or self-employment income, we'll prompt you to upgrade to a version that supports the forms you need so we can maximize your tax deductions and ensure you file an accurate return.
If the option to upgrade is grayed out, you're already in the version you're attempting to upgrade to or in a higher version. Your window isn't maximized. If that's the case, the Upgrade option might be located in the upper-left menu. You haven't filled out your personal information and started your 2022 return yet.
- You can snap a photo of your W-2 in the mobile app, which will automatically enter it on your return.
- The mobile app doesn't have Print Center or Tax Tools.
Prices. If you must pay, prices for online software are usually higher than software download. When you do a state return online, the prices automatically include state e-file. The software download with state return only includes the preparation part of it.
What's the difference between TurboTax Online and TurboTax CD/Download? TurboTax Online offers the convenience of preparing and e-filing your tax return from virtually any computer or mobile device with Internet access. There's no software to install and nothing you'll need to save on your computer.
To download TurboTax with the license code, enter your activation number in the License code box on the activation screen and select Continue to complete installation. You're free to use the same license code to install the software on up to five computers; you'll need to purchase another license if you need more.
A license code is not entered on or used with the TurboTax online editions. It is only used with the TurboTax software that you install on a personal computer from the TurboTax CD or Download. Install the software on your personal computer and do NOT use the TurboTax online editions since you purchased the software.
How do I download TurboTax that I already purchased?
- Go to Access my downloads and sign in with the same user ID you used to purchase your software.
- On Your TurboTax account, select the Downloads tab.
To switch to a cheaper TurboTax Online product, you must clear and start over. This will erase all the info you've entered so far. If you already paid with a credit card or had the TurboTax fee taken from your refund, it's too late to switch products.
If you want to "downgrade" in TurboTax Online, you will have to Clear and Start Over. Each version of TurboTax is designed to handle different tax situations and their associated forms.
To downgrade the version of the software you are using, you must clear and start over. This will reset the software to your original version. Be sure that the forms you need to complete your return are available in the software version you are using.
Since you have already paid, you cannot use the option to Clear & Start over. If you haven't filed your return, you can go back through each section to make any changes. If you already filed your return & it has been accepted, to make any changes you would need to amend your return. Amended returns must be mailed.
You sure can! TurboTax 2021 software can be installed, authenticated, and activated on up to 5 different computers per the TurboTax Desktop Software End User License Agreement for Tax Year 2021.
Use the Where's My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund online. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund. The systems are updated once every 24 hours.
Intuit closes
Tax year 2020 and 2021 individual returns will not be able to be e-filed until the IRS re-opens for the tax year 2022 filing season. Tax year 2020 and 2021 business returns will be able to be sent to the Intuit servers but will not be forwarded to the IRS until January 12, 2023.
If your return is in that backlog unprocessed, the IRS system doesn't recognize your legit AGI. This can cause your e-file to be rejected. A lot of people have no idea that's why they can't file electronically.
This is also referred to as the e-filing shutdown or cutover schedule. See Related Links for scheduled outages in addition to the annual maintenance period. The individual shutdown for tax year 2021 began on Saturday, November 26, 2022. MeF opens for production at 9:00 a.m. Eastern on January 23, 2023.
Is it better to efile or mail taxes?
E-filing is safe, faster, and generally more convenient than paper filing. Filing by mail can be cheaper, but it takes the IRS longer to process refunds that are due on these returns.
- Go to the File tab.
- Finish Step 1 Review your order.
- Proceed to Step 2 Your refund/payment Info.
- Verify that the box stating "I want my refund deposited into this account" is unchecked.
- At the bottom of the page, click Continue.
- Enter your new bank account information.
Errors and mistakes are frustrating, but the good news is yes – you can amend your tax return after filing. You'll need to wait 72 hours after filing before making a change, plus there's a deadline for making changes.
Filing your tax return online is a safe and secure way to send your taxes. Returns filed online are more secure than mailed returns because your online return is submitted using encryption and does not pass through human hands.
Which tax software provider gets the largest refund? Generally TurboTax and H&R block provide the largest refund!
To switch to a cheaper TurboTax Online product, you must clear and start over. This will erase all the info you've entered so far. If you already paid with a credit card or had the TurboTax fee taken from your refund, it's too late to switch products.
You sure can! TurboTax 2021 software can be installed, authenticated, and activated on up to 5 different computers per the TurboTax Desktop Software End User License Agreement for Tax Year 2021.
If I purchased software can I still use TurboTax online without paying twice? No, the CD purchase does not allow use of TurboTax Online. You will need to decide which one to use. Be aware that the CD version is more fully-featured than the Online version.
TurboTax Federal Tax Year 2022. Software Minimum System Requirements. Download option requires a free online Intuit account. Product activation requires internet connectivity.
Here's how to clear and start over: Sign in to TurboTax and open or continue your return, if you haven't already. Select Tax Tools from the left menu, then Clear & Start Over.
Do I need to keep old versions of TurboTax on my computer?
No, you do not have to keep previous years of TurboTax installed on your computer. As long as you have your CD it can be reinstalled. Or, if you purchased it from TurboTax and downloaded it to your computer, it can be downloaded again.
TurboTax Home and Business 2022 Federal +E-File and State software can be installed and activated on up to 5 different computers per the TurboTax Desktop End User License Agreement.
You might not have filed your taxes yet. If you see options like My Info, Federal, State, Review, and File in the 2022 Taxes menu, you haven't filed your taxes yet. Select File to do so. You'll be able to print a copy of your return when you file them.
TurboTax CD/Download Products: Price includes tax preparation and printing of federal tax returns and free federal e-file of up to 5 federal tax returns. Fastest Refund Possible: Fastest federal tax refund with e-file and direct deposit; tax refund time frames will vary.
TurboTax is the most expensive option for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It's especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration.
If you have a simple tax return, you can file for free with TurboTax Free Edition or TurboTax Live Assisted Basic. You can also file with TurboTax Live Full Service Basic at the listed price.