topic Re: failed validation in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

failed validation

johl — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:00:08 GMT

Hello,

I am trying to efile both fed and state,at the very end I am getting Failed Validation... I have updated many times and still getting an error. Please help.

Re: failed validation

greg loken — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 06:04:09 GMT

I get the same message. Any resolution yet?

Re: failed validation

CatinaT1 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:06:28 GMT

We'd love to help you complete your tax return, but need more information. Can you please clarify your question? Where are you seeing this?

Re: failed validation

greg loken — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 20:23:16 GMT

When I clicked transmit, after 10 seconds or so the following message appeared:

“FAILED VALIDATION. There is an update available for your version of TurboTax. Before you can file electronically, you'll need to get this update. To do this, go to the Online menu and select Check for Updates.
A Federal return that matches this state return could not be found. The IRS requires that all linked state returns be filed after or in conjunction with the Federal return.. Please verify that your Federal return has been e-filed and has not been rejected by IRS.”

Did update & was told TurboTax was up to date. Uninstalled and reinstalled. Even though I had installed the included state, TurboTax instructed me that I needed to download the state which I did and was charged $20!

Attempted to transmit and got same error message. Uninstalled and reinstalled again with same result although I wasn’t prompted to download the state again.

Based on some other message threads, I did an update on my Lenovo laptop. The pending updates were for graphics card and a firmware update. I did those (it’s now after $20, a couple hours, and past midnight). Thankfully after doing the computer update, my taxes were successfully transmitted and accepted by federal and state.

As you can see, the incomprehensible error message had nothing to do this actual problem.

I have used TurboTax since it first came out many years ago and this is the worst problem I have had. Disappointing. I expect products to undergo continuous improvement. Do better.

Re: failed validation

CatinaT1 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 21:17:10 GMT

Here are several troubleshooting steps that you can try:

If you are using a downloaded version, uninstall and reinstall the program from your MyDownloads folder. How do I find my TurboTax for Windows software download?
If that doesn't help, or you downloaded TurboTax from a CD, try a manual update. What is a manual update?
Turning off your VPN and anti-virus software during the update can help as well.

Re: failed validation

greg loken — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:47:44 GMT

Did you even read my reply? I solved the problem myself and successfully filed my taxes.please avoid making any more nonsensical replies. Thank you.

Re: failed validation

mesquitebean — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 23:28:56 GMT

@ greg loken wrote:
Did update & was told TurboTax was up to date. Uninstalled and reinstalled. Even though I had installed the included state, TurboTax instructed me that I needed to download the state which I did and was charged $20!
Attempted to transmit and got same error message. Uninstalled and reinstalled again with same result although I wasn’t prompted to download the state again.

Based on some other message threads, I did an update on my Lenovo laptop. The pending updates were for graphics card and a firmware update. I did those (it’s now after $20, a couple hours, and past midnight). Thankfully after doing the computer update, my taxes were successfully transmitted and accepted by federal and state.

Sorry you had so much trouble. Something is confusing about your extra fee. $20 is not the price of a state download. I suspect that $20 fee you mentioned could be the state efile fee. You say you have the product that includes 1 free state program, but there is still a fee to efile the state return. For others, a purchased state (i.e., not included state like yours) would have been $40, not $20; and in any case, it should not charge again to re-download. So the $20 you were charged should not be for a state program download . A $20 fee is typically the state efile fee. In the desktop products that include a state program (like you apparently have), the program download should be "free" (included in product price) even if re-downloaded, but there is still a $20 fee to efile a state return (except New York state which has no state efile fee.)

If you were charged $20 for a state efile fee, and another $20 for re-downloading the state program again (which I can't understand), you need to have one of those $20 charges reversed. If you were charged only one $20 fee, however, and do not live in NY state, then that should be the state efile fee.

In any case, if you think you were double-charged the $20 and need to discuss your fees with TurboTax Support, here's how.

Support hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific, 7 days.

FAQ: What is the TurboTax phone number?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

Re: failed validation

CheeseHead12 — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 18:28:15 GMT

I turned off all security and I'm still getting the Failed Validation error when trying to efile. And I've updated the software.

Re: failed validation

greg loken — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:23:51 GMT

Did you check for software update on your computer and install latest? That worked for m. Nothing TurboTax suggested worked.

Re: failed validation

CheeseHead12 — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:41:11 GMT

Thisi is the error message I receive after about 10 seconds after selecting transmit:

FAILED_VALIDATION. There is an update available for your version of TurboTax. Before you can file electronically, you'll need to get this update. To do this, go to the Online menu and select Check for Updates.

Because of my setup, I need to update manually. I had done that multiple times and no change. I also removed all firewall and other security and still no.

Is TT thinking I've not updated? If I go into the screen that shows Updates, it shows none. Also, something changed since February 19 because I was able to e-file on February 19 using the same computer, installation, etc. I'm guessing one of the Updates I installed between 2/29/24 - 3/5/24 caused this issue.

Re: failed validation

CheeseHead12 — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:41:53 GMT

Tried all - not fixing the issue.

Re: failed validation

CheeseHead12 — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:43:16 GMT

Multiple times, yes. No fix.

Re: failed validation

CheeseHead12 — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 15:32:30 GMT

UPDATE 3/6/2024 II - the sequal!

Re downloaded and reinstalled the state and was able to successfully TRANSMIT!! Yeah!!!!!

UPDATE 3/6/2024

Just tried again to Transmit Returns and again, error:

I manually downloaded the update this morning and installed it before even opening TT. When I look at View Installed Updates, Updated Currently Installed: (none) I did update, but outside of the program. If I can't efile returns, what good is TurboTax. Can't believe I'm the only person having this issue. Again, I successfully submitted Fed & State returns from TurboTax 2023 on 2/19/2024. Something in one of the Updates screwed this up.

Re: failed validation

JBeckett1 — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 15:51:07 GMT

just spent an hour and a half trying to file Federal only. For me after multiple failures and manual updates, I completely uninstalled TTX 2023 Home and Business - (and all the leftover files from the install that were not removed), re-installed clean from disk, applied the most recent update patch and it worked. Nothing else worked. Happy now, but very frustrated for the past 1.5 hours. Seems to be an issue for the past several years where TTX believes there is a patch available and there is none. Not Windows related, 100% TTX related. Good luck!

Re: failed validation

Nestle7277 — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 13:09:32 GMT

I also received the message "FAILED VALIDATION. There is an update available for your version of TurboTax. Before you can file electronically, you'll need to get this update. To do this, go to the Online menu and select Check for Updates."

I have TTX 2023 Home and Business with an Oregon State return. I also did the Check for update, which seemed to work, but did not, including multiple attempts at this update process.

What worked for me after calling into support was to completely UNINSTALL TTX 2023 Home and Business (at the windows program level so there is no TTX program for the year 2023 in your system) and then go to your "Products and billing" in your INTUIT ACCOUNT (which can be found at https://accounts-tax.intuit.com/app/account-manager/productsBilling/turbotax?aid=tt&prgn=US&rgn=US&account-scheme=ind ), and redownload a new clean version of these combined products

TY2023 TurboTax Desktop Home and Business
TY2023 TurboTax Desktop State Individual WIN

After the install of the TY2023Home and Business, you will be asked again to get an update for the Individual State. From this point all works and able to do a successful transmission without problems. Cheers.

Re: failed validation

FailedValidation — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 05:27:31 GMT

You tell em Greg. This is an absolute DISGRACE. This joke of a company needs to get it together and stop putting out broken software.

Re: failed validation

menelson90277 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 01:57:37 GMT

I have the home and business. It's a buggy piece of junk. I'll be looking for another product for next year. WHAT A MESS. Of course no support at Turbotax. I wonder if they're just trying to get revenue by SELLING support to frustrated clients? I'm disgusted. I'm going to reverse all the MasterCard charges and move on to a product that WORKS.

Re: failed validation

menelson90277 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 01:58:54 GMT

It's incomprehensible that you have to explain a common error to the Tech Support.

Re: failed validation STILL HAPPENING IN 2025!!!!!!!!!

menelson90277 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 02:02:00 GMT

OMFG! This still happening in March of 2025. WTF?

Re: failed validation STILL HAPPENING IN 2025!!!!!!!!!

trailgirl33 — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 01:33:28 GMT

I have spent all day unsuccessfully trying to get around this error/problem and am finally at this forum with still no luck. I cannot believe it is YEARS of this issues. I agree with you - WTF

And to think the TTX support I just spoke to had the audacity to tell me I was the only one with this problem... unreal