Costco TurboTax vs. Online: If you’re a Costco member you are probably used to getting fabulous deals in bulk on just about everything.
Come tax season you also undoubtedly see the aisles of the store lined with boxes of tax software on CD including TurboTax Deluxe, Premier, and Self-Employed(aka Home & Business) So, is it better to buy TurboTax at Costco, or download it online? (with a coupon!)
- 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. Additional fees apply for e-filing state returns ($25). E-file fees do not apply to New York state returns. Prices subject to change without notice.
- TURBOTAX GUARANTEES. TurboTax Free Guarantee: $0 Federal + $0 State + $0 To File offer is available for simple tax returns with TurboTax Free Edition. A simple tax return is Form 1040 only (without any additional schedules) OR Form 1040 + Unemployment Income.
In order to answer that question, let’s look at the differences between Costco and online download including features and prices:
The TurboTax Premier is designed for people with investments such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. The TurboTax Premier cost is slightly higher than the Deluxe plan but it supports more tax schedules (from A to E with the exception of Schedule C).
TurboTax Pricing: Costco vs. Online Download
Before getting into differences in features and functionality, let’s look at the cost. In this case we compared the price of TurboTax at Costco with the discounted online price (after applying this coupon). Here is a price comparison TurboTax Deluxe, Premier, and Home & Business editions at Costco and online: Die bybel 1983 vertaling download.
- TurboTax Deluxe at Costco: $59.99
- TurboTax Deluxe Online: (w/ coupon)$55.00
- TurboTax Premier at Costco: $87.99
- TurboTax Premier Online: $80.00
- TurboTax Self-Employed at Costco: $109.99
- TurboTax Self-Employed Online: $105.00
Wow, the prices are surprisingly similar! Factor in the time it takes to drive to the store plus the price of gas, and you really aren’t saving much buying TurboTax at Costco.
*State efile costs an extra $34.99 for both Costco and online. However, if you file your taxes before March 15th, you may be able to avoid this state fee by filing online.
Usually Costco is the lowest price on just about everything, and their discount price on TurboTax usually rivals or beats the online price. Note that the pricing for TurboTax Costco and online change during the tax season. The best prices are early in the season, and as the April tax deadline approaches the prices go up!
OK, should you buy TurboTax at Costco, or use the online version?
Why Buy TurboTax Online?
- Convenience: The main difference in my opinion is that TurboTax online offers more flexibility and convenience. Specifically, by being online-based, you have the ability to access your tax return from various computers and devices, or even your phone
- Peace of Mind: Online saves your work in the cloud. No need to worry about technical failure that might result in the loss of your progress or documents
- “Free Edition” Option – If you have simple taxes (1040EZ) you can file with their free edition online
- Online Coupon? There’s always a coupon or discount available online, and the best deals are early in the tax season. when you may be able to file State for free. You also might be eligible for a discount on TurboTax if you buy it through groups or financial institutions like AAA, AARP, Bank of America, or Chase bank.
OK, those are the best reasons to download TurboTax online. Now, let’s look at advantages of buying TurboTax software at Costco.
Turbo Tax Costs 2019
*Related: Did you know that TurboTax offers special discount editions for students and military?
Why Buy TurboTax at Costco?
Turbo Tax Cost 2019
- Multiple tax returns – The desktop version / CD allows you to file up to 5 federal efiles from one program. That is significant if you need to file multiple tax returns, and would make buying TurboTax at Costco cheaper if you have 2+ tax returns to file (Like parents filing returns for their kids)
- Forms Mode – The Costco / desktop version of TurboTax allows you to view the forms associated with your tax return as you are working on your taxes. This is more flexible compared to online, which is more of a linear process.
- Work offline – If you’re in an area without a secure internet connection, then you won’t be able to use the online version of TurboTax.
- TurboTax Costco coupon? You’ll have to check your local Costco store flyer or warehouse savings for potential discounts on individual products
Turbotax Premier 2020 Cost
*Related: Discount Nutrisystem Gift Cards at Costco? Numark idj3 controller.
In conclusion
Think of the two platforms of TurboTax online and desktop as being entirely separate. In other words, while you can decide to use online one year and desktop the next, the two don’t work together in a single tax year. (Using desktop this year? Here’s how to access data from web version)
The price difference seems to be negligible between the two, with both Costco TurboTax and online offering a better price and coupons early in the tax season.
I’ll sum up the differences as saying that the online version offers convenience, while the desktop version has some more functionality, and might be preferable to those filing multiple tax returns.
Personally I like the convenience of filing online as my laptop has a lot of miles on it, and it would make me nervous to depend on it for something as important as my tax return.
Tip: Not sold on buying TurboTax at Costco? We also have coupons for H&R Block, Quickbooks, and TaxAct!
Thanks for visiting Mighty Taxes; your source for Costco turbotax premier 2020 and turbotax deluxe 2020 Costco!