TurboTax: how access forms?

You've probably found it by now, but in case you haven't:

Select View -> Forms (or enter Ctrl+2) then click the form you want from the list in the right-hand pane. Click Close Form at bottom center when done.

Oops!, it's the left-hand pane; the selected form appears in the right-hand pane. [Dyslexia strikes again!]

Thank you, Jerry! You're a lifesaver! I was even getting to the forums using their cutesy menu and after all the grilling it would not let me enter any numbers. This is just like old times. John

Just to make sure you understand [because my prior response couldn't possibly have helped on this issue]:

General Rule: If you can't change a number on a form, double-click it.

There are some form entries where you can't enter a number because the number comes from a worksheet or another form. In these cases you double-click on the number to get to the form that affects that entry. For example double-clicking on line 9a of Form 1040 (which you can't change directly) takes you to Schedule B where you can add, change or remove numbers that then automatically change the number on 1040 line 9a.

Jerry

Thank you for your interest and helpful advice. This 2010 deluxe version has annoying features, such as upon opening up this morning it presents a page size interview form to be filled out, apparently ignorant of the fact that I have the return partly done already, and on several occasions it wants to know if I want to spend $30 more for a really good program. Thank you.

You appear to be new to TurboTax and using the basic menus located at the top of the screen.

It only prompts the Interview Screens if you bypassed the very beginning question about how you wanted to process the info - Interview vs Fill In The Forms - At the very end - it will run thru all the data fields and make sure they are completed, if not - it will let you know where and what to fix.

Beating it with a hammer doesn't make it work any better... It's just a computer program with logic flows from one field to another...

TT could use some fixing. Opening up it invites you to "Tell us about TurboTax", "where did you buy it". Pressing "continue" brought up a schedule E form. I have never seen it ask whether I want to use their interview method or forms. I just checked again, the return having been completed, and on exiting they ask the treacherous question: Do you want to save this file? I think they should be asking whether I want to save the (possible) changes in this file. I answered no, but with qualms, because I definitely want to save the file but I don't want to re-save the file. Incidentally, I was able (with trepidation) to enter the charity total by using the right click override option and mailed in about four sheets of Quicken charity listing. I have used TurboTax for years but when they change the tabs and the style it takes getting used to-I don't think there are any more hotkeys. The "help" should contain some kind of navigation advice-instead it's pretty worthless. JP

John,

I've been following this thread with interest. I have concluded a number of things.

1. If you did not "save the file" when finished, the input you made since the last save is gone. I cannot understand why you chose NOT to save or why you say that "I definitely want to save the file but I don't want to re-save the file." Why would you not want to "re-save" after making changes or inputting new data?

1. Your first post is dated 04/16/2011. Even if I owe the government money, I don't wait until the last minute to prepare the return. You just never know what may arise, i.e. missing documents, computer problems, family situations etc. I always prepare my return early and if I have a refund, I file immediately via e-file. If I owe money, I file as late as feasible. Prior to TT including e-file in the price, I would print my return and file via "snail mail, if I owed more tax.

2. I too have used TT for many years, going back to 1994. Even though I'm a retired accountant, I always use the interview process rather than direct form input. This at least gives me assurance, that I've covered everything. It may take more time, but I like the comfort level. If I make an input error, I can always go back to that point in the interview process and make the correction. At that point, I continue on or skip forward in the interview process where I was previously.

1. "Patience is a virtue" :) I monitor this newsgroup daily. My recollection is that you are the first poster to complain about the flow of TT. My experience is that if you go "with the flow", it is pretty intuitive. Sorry, but I have to agree with PS56K, "Beating it with a hammer doesn't make it work any better... It's just a computer program with logic flows from one field to another..."

I should have stated that I just opened the file to be sure about what I was saying in complaining about the file opening. I made no changes, yet I find it disconcerting to have to decide whether to save it or not. It would be clearer if they asked if I wanted to save the changes. Thank you for your kind attention. This is a very helpful newsgroup.

Quicken has a parameter to "remind" you to do a manual backup after a configurable number of executions, whether you've changed the file or not.

Since TurboTax is likely a product of the same folks, it probably does the same thing, apparently minus the configurability.

That said, I don't recall TT ever asking me to save a file I hadn't actually changed.

Bert, I sure TT asks me to save when all I've done is poke around. Since I don't want the file dates form a prior year's return to change (because it's just one more item to throw my off track if I'm browsing around looking at tax returns), I have to be very careful when I check something old out not to save the file because it always asks me.

Jo Philadelphia, PA

John,

Thanks for the clarification.

While I don't necessary agree with your position, I at least understand it.

I also find this newsgroup very helpful. It has a number of excellent posters that respond timely and positively. I'm glad that you find the same.

If you've updated TTax after you've submitted your return (and why wouldn't you as you'd want to know if your tax amount changed), TTax would have recomputed your return. Even if the numbers haven't changed, that would be enough to make it ask you to save the file.

Sorry about so many typos in the above. I'm really not illiterate.

I never update TTAX after I've submitted my return. I really don't want to find out that I have to submit an amended form, although I realize that may be silly and self defeating. Guess I should try it for a couple of old returns but there are too many other things on my plate these days and my return doesn't get into anything esoteric just very tedious on the investment tracking side..

I did realize that if the program changed, it would ask me to save the file.

I use it once a year for the last 10 years and I expect to see a tab called forms. Apparently it has been replaced by one called view-and in my Quicken, view is nothing of the kind-it asks how you want the data sorted.

hmmm - used TurboTax for the last 10 years ? the menus at the top area are the basically the same for 2009 and 2010, so if you did it for 2009.... it's the same for 2010...

Also, the icon and word "FORMS" is located in the upper right menu area... along with the pretty obvious VIEW -> FORMS in the menu area.