Release notes?

Forum|Forum|24 days ago
July 3, 2026
4 replies
128 views

Have a copy of Home & Business - 2025 - didn’t use it to file but started it and just got an update. Can’t figure out what changed. Are there release notes anywhere? What did they update?

DoninGA

Level 15

Sorry. TurboTax does not issue any type of release notes when a software update is avaialble.

Hi PalmsAuthor

Level 7

So no way to know if any of the updates change tax due or refund amounts. Great.

SteamTrain

Level 15

I always install a second copy of my Desktop TTX on a laptop …..along with the final accepted copy of my original tax return that I filed on my main desktop (Labelled as a test copy with my name and SSN and BDate modified to cover my vital statistics on the laptop)

Then, I check for a software update on each Friday on that laptop, and if my Fed/State refund or balance due doesn’t change on the test copy, then I know I can update my main desktop copy too.

IF the refund/balance due changes on the laptop...then you need to investigate on the laptop before updating the desktop version to see what changed. One year for me, the State $$ amount changed by a couple $$ about a month or so after I had filed, due to a late state calc change on the state’s part. I didn’t do anything about it, and state didn’t complain…. but if anything really changes with a significant $$refund or $$ due, then one might need to start an amended tax return on the main desktop system...and then update the main program to the current version, such that the change is recorded as an amended file. (at least, that’s the way I think one would proceed). But even if that is done...could get messy.

____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*

pk_

Level 15

@Hi Palms , while , in theory at least, you are correct that things can indeed go south for the “tax preparation service “, Intuit/TurboTax, ----IRS generally is quite aware of such possibilities . It takes at least the following steps ( that I am aware of --having served as a member of one of the advisory boards ):

bulk of the software is tested by the IRS using sample cases before the start and during the tax season;
each return submitted is processed using IRS’ own equivalent of preparation software
claims of deductions are run for consistency ( and credibility/plausibility etc. ) using statistically generated gates ( which are themselves based on models and audit data)
human intervention on all returns flagged by the automated processing

Can one still getaway with errors or purposeful mis-statements ? yes, of course

Would a detailed “release / change” note help ? Probably , but only those quite aware of the tax laws. And for these stalwarts, with or without “release/change” log, the missing data/ error in computation would be obvious anyways. I would not file a return that appears to be wrong ( with or without “release notes”).

So my “two cents” is that a release note ,for the bulk of users , is a luxury that will be read by few and understood by even fewer --- it is not a panacea for “bad” returns. IMHO

SteamTrain

Level 15

@Hi Palms

OK...I’ve tired 5 or 6 times now to post more info...maybe it’s the URL Link that’s getting blocked...so I’ll try something different.

____________

TTX does have an “Accuracy Guarantee” where TTX pays for Penalties and Interest resulting from Software Errors.

But...Only for actual software errors, not for a user’s failure to enter some data, or if they mis-entered in the wrong place. Any actual tax increase is still the user’s responsibility to pay..

If you search the Community for the “Accuracy Guarantee”, there should be some links presented that lead you to it.

____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*

VolvoGirl

Level 15

I’ll try. How to submit a claim under the Accurate Calculation Guarantee
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-do-i-submit-a-claim-under-the-turbotax-100-accurate-calculation-guarantee-or-100-accurate-expert/00/26065

VolvoGirl

Level 15

Also….End User License Agreement for Desktop Software
https://turbotax.intuit.com/corp/license/desktop.jsp

Hi PalmsAuthor

Level 7

Read parts and found,

failure to file an amended return to avoid or reduce an applicable penalty/interest after Intuit announces updates or corrections to the Software in time for you to file an amended return, then Intuit will reimburse the amount actually paid by you to the IRS or state in penalties and/or interest as levied against you in such first notice – but not any amounts, penalties or interest due, payable or paid by you as a result of a payment plan you may enter into (or have entered into) with such tax authority.

If they don’t announce updates, like no release notes published, that’s a problem.

Then I found,

The Platform is otherwise provided “as-is,” and we do not make any other warranties about the Platform. Unless required by law, we do not provide implied warranties, such as the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose

Disclaiming fitness for a particular purpose kinda gives them an out for anything and everything that goes wrong with their software so I guess they’re covered.