[2019 OS X Download] Deactivate License Code

[AluminumJim]

Hello fellow TT users,

QUESTION: Is there a way to deactivate/deauthorize a license code for TurboTax?

BACKGROUND:

I didn't know this year Intuit was going to implement a license code scheme on the desktop version of TurboTax 2019 so it was a quite a surprise when I installed it a few months ago and was prompted for a code. I understand why they'd want DRM and am glad that they're okay with 5 installs.

What I'm not okay with is if there is no way to deactivate the license code. I've already installed TT Premier on my Macbook but cracked the screen. I've got a newer notebook that I can install TT on and sell the older notebook - therefore, I need to deactivate all licensed software on it (Adobe, Microsoft, iCloud, and TurboTax). I can see what I'm doing by using a borrowed external monitor.

It'd be great if I could log into my TurboTax Online or Intuit Online account and see all the licenses attached to devices. That way I wouldn't even need access to my broken computer. If there is a way to deauthorize the software from within TurboTax.app (like iTunes deauthorization), I don't see it.

[Carl]

I agree there should be a way to do this. But the fact is, there isn't. At least not this year. But it's really not the program you need to be concerned with. You need to delete your tax data file from the computer before you go giving or selling it to someone else - or before you throw it away if it comes to that.

I don't know much about MACS. But I do know there's a way to do what I call a "factory reset" that removes all programs and data, reformats the HD and reinstalls the OS to the way it was when you originally purchased it. So aside from physically removing and destroying the HD before you dispose of the computer, I'd suggest you seek the "factory restore" route first.

[AluminumJim]

Thank you Carl for confirming what I have feared. 😫

Apple has a tutorial on what to do before getting rid of one's Mac

Apple.com - What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac ...

Yes, deleting personal data is important AND easy on a Mac, as I would just need to delete the user's home directory when deactivating the account. The old notebook uses a SSD, so it would be theoretically unrecoverable even without doing a random-overwrite secure-erase. Yes, reformatting and reinstalling Mac OS X is super easy too with Internet Recovery Mode. Essentially, a "factory-refurbished-reset" will be done with the newest version of the compatible Mac OS X.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't tell you to deauthorize 3rd party software so you can re-authorize them on a new computer. I've learned the hard way when Adobe Photoshop used to be $500. Since then, I always go through my Applications folder and check to see if each app needs to be deauthorized before wiping the drive.

[ff2021]

If you did not use the code yet to file, you might just need to re-enter the license key on a new installation.

Another possible way to get it working is if you can move the qt.dat file onto a new computer (might be difficult with the cracked screen.. did you try a second monitor?).  I say this because I was trying to file a second return and I had to remove that qt.dat file to trigger the software to ask me for a new key (since I already filed with the first key).

On windows it is C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QTBInc 2020\qt.dat

I imagine you would have a similar directory on a mac for program data (maybe ~ /Library/Intuit ?)