TurboTax

File with experts
File your taxes
Experts at your fingertips

An expert helps with your taxes, or does them for you
TurboTax Expert Full Service

TurboTax Expert Assist

TurboTax Self-Employed
Prior year taxes
File myself
File myself
Do it yourself

We'll guide you step-by-step
TurboTax Do It Yourself

TurboTax Self-Employed

TurboTax Desktop
TurboTax Free

Activate your product

Prior year taxes
Business
Business
Business taxes

Get your T2 corporate return done right, your way
TurboTax Business

TurboTax Business Desktop
Tax situations
Tax situations
Tax situations

Find extra guidance for your big life moves
For investors

For 25 and younger

For self-employed

For new to Canada

For life changes
Resources
Resources
Resources

Explore tax tools, get tips, and read reviews
Personal income tax calculator

RRSP savings calculator

Learning hub

TurboTax support (FAQ)

TurboTax community
Pricing

Level 4

Solved

License Code Multiple Request by TT 2019 Desktop App

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
December 14, 2019
29 replies
50 views

I am one of the lucky folks receiving multiple requests to input the 2019 Turbotax license code. 2019 Turbotax Deluxe desktop CD on Windows 10. I tried all of TT’s suggested actions to correct the problem. I finally uninstalled the software and then reinstalled the software. I again entered the license code. It is now working. At least for the time being. I am afraid to close the application for fear it will not launch next time. Does this mean I have used 2 of my 5 available licenses? Are there any other updates from TT on resolving this issue? Thank you.

Best answer by PMH54

1-2-2020: Well, my hopes have been dashed for an easy resolution. TT is again asking for the Activation Code. Since I re-activated TT on 12/18/2019, I have opened and closed the app more than 50 times with no problems. During that time TT updated three times OK.

I received the following updates before TT asked me again for the Activation Code:

12-18-2019: Critical Program Updates (Release 12/11/19), Fed Tax Forms Updates (Release 12/17/19), Wisconsin (Release 12/18/19).

12-25-2019: Help and Support (Release 12/24/19)

1-2-2020: Fed Tax Forms Updates (Release 1/2/20), Critical Program Updates (Release 1/2/20).

Later on 1-2-2020 TT loaded the following updates prior to again asking for an Activation Code on restart: Wisconsin (Release 1/2/20)

I have spent way too many man-hours trying to get a $50 piece of software to function correctly. This is not an isolated problem as can be seen by reading multiple comments on Amazon and also on this Community Discussion Blog. There are way too many folks fighting this problem for it to be an anomaly. I’m done. After 20 years with TurboTax, it is time to move on.

1-27-2020: The following has worked for me... So far…

I am using a Lenovo T530 Laptop with Windows 10 Home, Version 1909. Intel i5-3210M CPU, 500 GB Hard Drive. 8GB RAM. Norton 360 Antivirus software. Spectrum ISP.

Since my last post on 1-2-2020, I have been able to open and update TT with no problems. However, I have turned off my Norton Antivirus and Smart Firewall before each attempt. As TT refuses to publicly admit there is an issue with the TT software, it is impossible to determine if my issue has apparently (maybe) been resolved by turning off the Norton software, or if TT has made a ‘Behind the Scenes’ modification to their software via one of the updates. I keep seeing posts saying those folks fighting this problem are in the minority. But I am betting the minority is large enough to put a dent into TT’s sales numbers if TT does not find a solution. It may take another 2014 situation to get Intuit’s attention.

Show previous replies

besson1998

Level 2

I had to bump up to a supervisor to solve the problem. If the tech rep puts you on hold it means he/she doesn't know how to solve the issue. The supervisor gave me a new activation code - problem solved!

nothappy18

Level 2

In past years loaded and activated 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 TurboTax on my laptop. Laptop had a problem, sent for repairs. After repairs, all the years work fine. But 2019 TT claims it wants to be re-activated again. When I use the original activation code from the Box, it says all activations have been used up Error 603.

Seems like a common problem.

TurboTax software developers rely on HardDisk data, or Motherboard, Ethernet, Wifi etc. identifiers. Like uuid, Serial number etc. It calls for a complete re-activation if any of your Card or Hard disk changes.

Now Intuit knows this as a problem. But doesn't train its Support staff. They kept trying to blame me as a thief, and insisted on paying all over again. I had raise up the ante and demand a Specialist. Even then, it is not easy to get Intuit to fix this.

nothappy18

Level 2

In case of successful activation, TT can store this somewhere. In future if TT attempts to reactivate because some hardware component changed, then it can compare with previous activation on same computer.

It can even prompt the Customer to inquire what changed, and automatically open a support case and resolve.

But this requires treating fully paying Customers with respect. Not with disdain, and not treating them as potential thieves.

richardreed2104

Level 2

This program sucks. I have lost it multiple times and it wants the code again. Just about to change to something else and lose my money,,,

VHAADEE

Level 2

Mi license code does not work and i cannot access my files

stevekayak

Level 5

@VHAADEE

I turned on my USB-connected Canon printer to print out a Quicken Tax Summary and TT started asking me for an activation code. I've been using TT all day doing different returns and jumping between different returns; I'll bet I've opened and closed TT thirty times today alone, with no problems. Then, all of a sudden, it starts asking for my activation code. Panic....., did some research online and low and behold......

Turned the printer off and got in to TTax again with no problems.......

TT appears to be using the age-old method of hardware footprint in determining how many computers you load the software on (a method Microsoft quit using decades ago). When you first install the software, TT takes a 'picture' of your connected hardware. Any deviation from that setup, TT assumes it is a different computer. If, after successfully getting in and working in TT you suddenly start being asked for the activation code again, look at your hardware!!! What printers or thumb drives or external hard drives, etc.; ANY USB DEVICES; were plugged in / turned on / not plugged in, etc. when you loaded the TT software the first time. Get your pc back to that original configuration and you should have no trouble getting back into the software.

Larry_CA

Level 2

NOT HELPFUL. THESE ARE ALL RELATED TO 2019 TURBOTAX ITEMS. MINE IS THE 2021 TURBOTAX DELUX AND AT THIS POINT I NEED TO TALK TO A TURBOTAX ASSOCIATE. CALL ME AT [phone number removed].

MY ORDER NUMBER IS QSTCA152202980. AT THIS POINT I FEEL I HAVE WASTED $74.90.

DISSATISFIED,

LAWRENCE CASEY-ALLEN

DoninGA

Level 15

@Larry_CA wrote:

NOT HELPFUL. THESE ARE ALL RELATED TO 2019 TURBOTAX ITEMS. MINE IS THE 2021 TURBOTAX DELUX AND AT THIS POINT I NEED TO TALK TO A TURBOTAX ASSOCIATE. CALL ME AT [phone number removed].

MY ORDER NUMBER IS QSTCA152202980. AT THIS POINT I FEEL I HAVE WASTED $74.90.

DISSATISFIED,

LAWRENCE CASEY-ALLEN

Contact TurboTax support about this issue -

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

Or -

Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

fg2001gf

Level 5

I've been using 2021 TurboTax Home and Business on the same computer since Dec 2021, it was activated and worked fine until today, Jan 26, 2022.

Today I tried using it again and asked me for activation again. It is the same computer, but the stupid activation process of Intuit cannot remember the S/N of a computer and assign a Digital License.

This whole activation method is a joke.

The only thing that was changed yesterday on this computer was the Driver for the Storage controller, switching from IDE/RAID to AHCI, but all the disk drives are exactly the same and there is no other change in the configuration, no other external USB drives or Flash drives connected.

Why is TT still asking for a new activation?

I have Windows 11 with latest Updates to Build 22000.469.

Please fix this annoying activation bug! ☹

This bug is ridiculous, and it has been going on for 3 years now, TT 2019, TT 2020, TT 2021.

Is Intuit ever going to fix this nonsense?

Now I'll have to call in to get a new activation code, this really sucks.

Note that at the same time, I also lost the activation for the 2020 Turbo Tax Home and Business on the same machine.

Lori2020

Level 2

@fg2001gf I am very sad to learn this is still happening in the 2021 tax year version of Turbo Tax. I spoke with an assistant to the president of Intuit last spring about the 2020 tax year version (after I had the same problem with 2019 tax year software) and he assured me they would update their process to verify the user has a license. I am done with Turbo Tax and will switch to another company's software - they do not deserve our business.

Ploera59

Level 2

i used turbo tax and by error i have multiple client aldo I buy turbo tax premier 2021 i add in my old computer and i buy a new laptop mac and said that with the same code could you please desblock the code

Ploera59

Level 2

i buy turbo tax premier and i install and my old laptop but is not working right now i buy a new laptop and i want to install my turbo tax and said that i used alrealdy in my old laptop could you please help me

George18

Level 2

This is a community page. We are not Intuit employees and can't help directly with this. You will have to contact Intuit. Sorry.

Ploera59

Level 2

my old laptop is macbook pro and i used my license code in my new laptop S3LH-WUVH-6NAF-AJHT

Mike136

Level 2

@Ploera59 This is a public forum, not Turbotax support ! You should not post any secure information here such as your license code, and I recommend that you delete your post immediately. If you need assistance with your installation, contact Intuit Turbotax customer service directly.

Ploera59

Level 2

could you please help me or can i return the turbo tax product

Mike136

Level 2

Lord have mercy ! You're barking up the wrong tree. Go to the top of the page and select Support then Turbotax, and contact customer service. Nobody on this forum can help you with this !