topic Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Shared TurboTax files between two computers

GGBJr — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:18:08 GMT

My wife and I both work on the same tax returns. I have a Mac laptop; she has a Windows--based laptop. The files that I save include the file name and "Macintosh HD......cloud storage" in them, and are saved automatically to the cloud. When she saves a file it goes to OneDrive with just the file name. The latter is the process we have used for years.

Are we asking for trouble by both of us working on the same file? We never work on a common file at the same time, but I don't understand why the Mac no longer uses just the file name.

Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers

CarissaM — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 02:47:52 GMT

This should not be an issue, as long as you both ensure that you are working on the latest edition of the return.

Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers

VolvoGirl — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 02:54:36 GMT

Yes it could cause problems. How are you moving the file between computers? I didn't follow your post. You need to copy the .tax2021 file back and forth each time to use it.

By the way, how did you get Turbo Tax installed on both Windows and Mac? Did you have to call in to get the other download? I hope you didn't buy 2 programs. You didn't need to buy 2.

Shared TurboTax files between two computers

GGBJr — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 15:54:52 GMT

Many thanks for your post. For some reason I thought that my account was set up to receive email notifications when someone replied to a post, but this did not happen.

We keep the TT data files stored on OneDrive, so we can access them from almost any location. We have done this for many years. Obviously, we have to ensure that we are both not working on the same file at the same time, but this has not been a problem. Currently, in the OneDrive folder, we have two data files for each person for whom we are doing returns (e.g., children, grandchildren, etc.). This is a first. The ones created (or saved) by my wife's Windows-based laptop are named as usual. The file names of the ones created by my Mac contain the extra verbiage, described in my original post. I have not taken the time to place a token change in one of the Mac files that I have been working on to see if it gets saved in both files on OneDrive. Since we have never had this problem before, I am tempted to delete all of the Mac-created files on OneDrive, and then load, edit and save one of the Windows-based files to see if the issue disappears. I believe that the Mac naming of the files occurred during setup when the previous year's files were being loaded into the 2021 format.

We have always bought the CD version of TT Premier, which enables us to load the main version onto both computers in their respective formats. Then, we download three states via the Windows computer, but contact TT Support to have Mac-based state software downloaded by TT to my TT account, which I then download to my Mac. If I attempt to duplicate the Windows download process on my Mac, the software wants to charge me a second time for the state software.

Thanks for your time and effort!

Houston, Texas

Shared TurboTax files between two computers

GGBJr — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 16:02:27 GMT

Hi, Carissa --

Thanks for your response. I won't repeat my previous post. I believe the Mac file naming occurred during the setup of my 2021 TT Premier edition, when the previous year's data files are transferred into the 2021 software. I don't know why this occurs; it has not in previous years. I am tempted to delete all of the Mac-named versions to see if I can eliminate the problem, loading only the Windows-based versions created by my wife's Windows laptop.

Again, thanks!

Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers

VolvoGirl — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 17:28:08 GMT

Hi GGB, just me again asking another question. Did you install the CD on both the Mac and Windows? Or did you have to call in and get the other os version? I ask because once you install the actual CD you can't install it anywhere else again. It's been a big problem this year. Thanks

Shared TurboTax files between two computers

GGBJr — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 17:54:01 GMT

Hi, Me Again -

For years we have never had a problem loading both computers from the same CD. As you know, the CD software assesses what platform to load to your computer. I would have to look at the shipping box, if it is disclosed, but doesn’t TT permit you to load up to five (?) versions of its software onto related computer?

Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers

VolvoGirl — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:10:50 GMT

Yes but it doesn't work right this year. That's why I was asking how you got it loaded on 2 computers. There's been lots of posts from people who can't get it installed on another computer and had to call in and get another license code.

Shared TurboTax files between two computers

GGBJr — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:20:34 GMT

Volvo Girl --

From Google:

I would say that TT has (or had) a software glitch. Has it been corrected, do you think? We bought our CD package back in January.

"TurboTax 2021 software can be installed, authenticated, and activated on up to 5 different computers per the TurboTax Desktop Software End User License Agreement for Tax Year 2021."

Can I install TurboTax on more than one computer?

Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers

VolvoGirl — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:29:49 GMT

Yes you are allowed to install it on 5 computers. But this year and maybe even last year there is a problem installing the CD. Ever since they started using this License Code 2 years ago. Last year I installed the CD. Then I tried to install it on my laptop and couldn't. I had to call in and get the download put in my online account. This year I was ready for that. Even though I bought the CD at Costco I used the Download method to install it. Then I could download it again to my laptop. That's why I was curious how you got the CD installed on the second computer. See the second sentence on this FAQ

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/i-bought-the-cd-but-my-computer-doesn-t-have-a-cd-drive/01/26450

Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers

Mike9241 — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:32:37 GMT

i had no problem installing the deluxe CD on 2 windows 10 computers. however, both computers have the same user account with admin privileges. i even networked the computers so I can use the TT file on either computer but obviously not two computers at the same time.

Shared TurboTax files between two computers

GGBJr — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 19:42:52 GMT

Madame --

Perhaps the reason that I have gotten around this problem is that I have used the CD to install the basic software on both computers. We downloaded the three states (one is free, as you know) onto just one of the computers. I have had to go the download route to download the states onto my Mac. This turned out to be a major hassle this year, going through five TT agents. The first knew nothing about the process; the second gave me some login instructions, which didn't work; and it took three more calls to obtain the downloads. I would guess that the pandemic has reduced the TT supply of qualified agents.

All of this to enjoy the process of preparing tax returns?

Shared TurboTax files between two computers

GGBJr — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 19:48:59 GMT

We set up a OneDrive account with Microsoft many years ago. Too lazy to integrate the TT files into a network, I guess, since we use them only once a year. But, we're accomplishing the same thing, I suppose.

Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers

robtyates99 — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:21:14 GMT

How to change TT to save results on my OneDrive rather than on my desktop's hard drive?

Re: Shared TurboTax files between two computers

TiffanyL — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 16:47:37 GMT

@robtyates99

To save your Tax return to your OneDrive, you would need to log back into your TurboTax account, click on the year you want and just save it from there.