Using Forms Mode in TurboTax

In TurboTax CD/Download software, you can prepare your tax return using either Step-by-Step or Forms mode.

• In Step-by-Step mode, TurboTax asks about you and your tax situation using easy-to-understand language.
  • TurboTax automatically determines which forms you need and fills them out for you.
  • We recommend the default Step-by-Step method to ensure you don't miss out on credits or deductions you may not be aware of.
• In Forms mode, you can enter information directly onto your tax forms as you would when filling out a return by hand.
  • In Forms mode you're on your own; TurboTax provides little guidance in completing your return.
  • However, Forms mode comes in handy if you want to see how TurboTax filled out a particular form or schedule "behind the scenes".

To switch from the default Step-by-Step mode to Forms mode, simply click the Forms icon (in the upper right (Windows) or upper left (Mac) area of your screen.

This will open the Federal Information Worksheet.

• To open a particular form, click its link in the left pane.
• To add a new form to the list, click the Open Form button near the top of the left pane, select the desired form (you may need to click the + signs to expand the list), and then click Open Form.

To switch back to Step-by-Step, click the Step-by-Step "footprints" icon near the top of the TurboTax screen or select Step-by-Step from the View menu. (The Close Form button merely closes the form on top if you have multiple forms open.)

To view the tax form underlying the Step-by-Step screen you're on, click Show Relevant Form in the gray bar at the bottom of the screen. (You'll see No Form if no specific form is associated with that screen.)

This opens the associated form in the lower part of the screen. You can adjust the form window's size by clicking and dragging the narrow "dividing line" between the form and the interview screen.

To go back to full Step-by-Step mode, click Hide Relevant Form in the gray bar at the bottom.