There is simply no comparison. Desktop as you only have to pay once for the software and can do unlimited tax submissions with the one software paying once for the software. You can also install it on up to 5 computers/laptops. With the online version everybody that uses the software each have to pay the full price every time which makes no sense as the CD download install doesn't charge more than once. Online is a total ripoff. People will say yeah but I only will be using the software so it doesn't matter. Well if you and a family member or friend share you can split the cost of the CD with 1 or more people and save even more money for each people. Also you can access your tax returns anytime you want without no sign ins or access to the internet. With the online version you need to sign in and you can be locked out of your own account as your no longer have access to your old phone number or email to reset your password or your account was hacked. Also software install you can click on certain tabs that can take you directly to certain sections of your tax returns and see the actual forms being used and filled out and breakdown cheat sheet that you wouldn't be able to with the online version.
@@SskRed-up3pc He clearly means "once" for unlimited users/tax submissions. Of course you have to buy the software every year, but you also have to pay the online version every year.
The comment about the Desktop version being compatible with Windows computers only is simply wrong. I have been using a Mac computer for years to do my taxes with the Desktop version.
The desktop version allows you to go into the actual worksheets and change numbers and it will recalculate. The online version does not allow you to do that. If you use the desktop version for years and then decide to use the online version one year down the road, the online version will not have any of your previous years history or carryover amounts. So it is best to stick with one or the other and not jump back and forth. Remember, the desktop version stores all your information locally on your computer drive. Make backup copies of the data, in case your drive decides to stop working one day. Having to go back and try to re-create data from years gone by would be a nightmare.
I thought if you save your data in their ".tax" format (vs.pdf) it will allow you to import the prior year(s) so you can switch between online or desktop without having to worry about prior history or carryovers, though I haven't tried it (yet).
@@joncastor1999 You may be right about that. I have not tried it either. But if you for sure need to get into the worksheets to do some changes and see the results recalculated, you will need the desktop version.
There is simply no comparison. Desktop as you only have to pay once for the software and can do unlimited tax submissions with the one software paying once for the software. You can also install it on up to 5 computers/laptops. With the online version everybody that uses the software each have to pay the full price every time which makes no sense as the CD download install doesn't charge more than once. Online is a total ripoff. People will say yeah but I only will be using the software so it doesn't matter. Well if you and a family member or friend share you can split the cost of the CD with 1 or more people and save even more money for each people. Also you can access your tax returns anytime you want without no sign ins or access to the internet. With the online version you need to sign in and you can be locked out of your own account as your no longer have access to your old phone number or email to reset your password or your account was hacked. Also software install you can click on certain tabs that can take you directly to certain sections of your tax returns and see the actual forms being used and filled out and breakdown cheat sheet that you wouldn't be able to with the online version.
Thank you. I was looking for this answer.
You need to buy a Windows computer for the CD/download option. If you’re a Mac user you can only use the Online version.
Pay once for software mean if you pay for 2023 you need not do again for following years 2024, 2025 etc as we paid in 2023 already?
@@Deepster1 This is simply wrong. I have been using the desktop version on a mac for years.
@@SskRed-up3pc He clearly means "once" for unlimited users/tax submissions. Of course you have to buy the software every year, but you also have to pay the online version every year.
The comment about the Desktop version being compatible with Windows computers only is simply wrong. I have been using a Mac computer for years to do my taxes with the Desktop version.
The desktop version allows you to go into the actual worksheets and change numbers and it will recalculate. The online version does not allow you to do that.
If you use the desktop version for years and then decide to use the online version one year down the road, the online version will not have any of your previous years history or carryover amounts. So it is best to stick with one or the other and not jump back and forth.
Remember, the desktop version stores all your information locally on your computer drive. Make backup copies of the data, in case your drive decides to stop working one day. Having to go back and try to re-create data from years gone by would be a nightmare.
I thought if you save your data in their ".tax" format (vs.pdf) it will allow you to import the prior year(s) so you can switch between online or desktop without having to worry about prior history or carryovers, though I haven't tried it (yet).
@@joncastor1999 You may be right about that. I have not tried it either. But if you for sure need to get into the worksheets to do some changes and see the results recalculated, you will need the desktop version.