Turbotax switch from online to desktop

Thanks for the contact info, but that only takes me to a phone robot, who directed me to a refund request form. I have requested a refund, because I haven't been able to find any other options.

What I'd really like to do is just clear the stupid return and start over. Now I have to wait 7 days for someone to review this request, and there's no guarantee that there's a refund coming. I know you can see that I haven't filed my return, because the robot said so. So why can't I clear my return? Or why isn't there a human somewhere who would allow me to switch to the desktop version? I can't submit this tax return as is, because Form 1116 is missing.

You bought the 2019 Desktop program? Then you should use that this year. Next year when you do 2020 you can use the Online version and transfer the .tax2019 file from your computer to the online version.

If you want to use online for 2019 you need to get a refund for the Desktop program and pay for online separately. Online and Desktop are completely separate and have different pricing and features.

If you used the Desktop program before you probably won't like the Online version. The Online versions are only good for one return per account. And you may need to upgrade to a higher version to enter certain things. You can't see or enter into the actual forms.

You can access an online return from any computer and device. Your return is stored at Turbo Tax. So be sure to download the pdf and .tax files to your computer when you are done or you may not be able to access it when you need a copy. Or if you ever need to amend.

First of all, if you are only going to file one tax return (your own), you probably won't save any money by switching to TurboTax Desktop. The way you save money is if you file multiple tax returns, say for yourself and several other family members. I will address your questions:

1. You can create tax data file in Online, and open it in Desktop. You won't lose any information, and won't have to re-enter any data. For instructions on how to make the switch see the following TurboTax Help Article: How do I switch from TurboTax CD/Download to TurboTax Online?

2. You have to purchase TurboTax Desktop each year. The software isn't "updated", it's a new program each year.

3. You can import 1099-DIVs and 1099-INT using any version of Desktop

4. Desktop comes with one free state, you can download others for a fee. Desktop also includes five free federal e-files, state e-filing is $20 (currently). The e-file process is pretty much the same as with Online.

Desktop has some features that I (being a CPA) think make it worth the cost, even if you only file a single return. Desktop has a "Forms" view where you can enter data directly on forms, schedules, and worksheets. You can see your return without having to print it. But you can't access your return from any device with an internet connection. It resides only on your hard drive.

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Is this what you want?

You can move your Online file to the Desktop program and continue without paying for Online or needing to reenter your info.

To continue in the desktop version see this…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-the-turbotax-software/00/26129

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW).

@MadCAD Yes you can transfer from Online to Desktop program. You can download the .tax2020 file from online without even paying for 2020 or 2021 online.

If you used online last year.......

One way is to start a 2021 Online return and transfer into that. Then you can download the .tax2021 file from online for free and just OPEN it in the Desktop program.

If you used the online version last year and need to transfer your info to this year's Desktop version there are 2 ways depending on what you have.

1. If you saved the actual .tax2020 file (not just the pdf file) to your computer before online was shut down in Oct. then start a new return and the very first thing you do is Transfer from .tax file. You can only transfer at the very beginning. You should be able to download the .tax2020 file from online.

How to Access prior year online returns
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/00/27010

If you can't get the side menus to open up to access the prior year..... You need to start entering some basic Personal Info in 2021 for the side menu to open up. Just continue a little ways into 2021.

2. If you didn't save the .tax file to your computer or lost it, there is a way to do it by starting a 2021 return in the Online version, transfer to that and then continue in the desktop version. You won't have to pay for Online.

First transfer into the Online version

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-turbotax-online/00/25953

Then to switch to the Desktop program

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-the-turbotax-software/00/26129

How to Transfer into the Windows Desktop program

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-for-windows/00/26145

How to Transfer into the Mac Desktop program

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-the-turbotax-for-mac-software/00/26062

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