Accessing State Tax Software

[csoper]

I purchased Turbo Tax Premier and loaded it onto my desktop and I purchased Turbo Tax Deluxe and loaded it onto my laptop.  I prepare returns for multiple family members. I downloaded my one free state software (Oregon) on my desktop and have already filed two returns, both federal and Oregon.  On my laptop I downloaded my one free state software (Montana) and have filed one return.  

I am now attempting to file a third return on my desktop using the Oregon software, but I am being asked to pay the $40 fee to download the software even though I already downloaded it for my one free state software. I get the message that I can download the Montana software for free even though that was under a different version of the Turbo Tax software, the Deluxe version.

Shouldn't I be able to prepare an unlimited number of state returns with each version of the software once I have downloaded my one free version?  I am not talking about filing the returns, but simply preparing them.

[MonikaK1]

If you use TurboTax Desktop, you can file five federal returns with up to three state returns each. No more than five Intuit accounts and five corresponding federal returns (for example, for a family of five) may be created, purchased, and filed using any one email address.

Per IRS rules, you can only e-file up to five federal returns using the same email address or phone number with personal tax return preparation products.

Our license agreement doesn't allow TurboTax to be used for commercial or professional tax preparation. See this help article. 

You might try these troubleshooting steps regarding the Oregon download issue. If, after trying these steps, you are still experiencing this issue, I recommend that you contact TurboTax Support for assistance.

[csoper]

Thank you for your response.  Just to clarify, this issue is about accessing the state software, not efiling a state or federal return.  I live in Washington State but also have Oregon income.  So, I downloaded the Oregon software as my one free download on my desktop.  I prepared my Oregon return and mailed it in, I did not efile.  For my sister, who lives in Oregon, I prepared her returned and efiled it with no problem.  But, when I went to prepare my son's return, who also lives in Washington, but also had Oregon income, I could not access the Oregon software with paying the $40 fee.  

All I could see at the top of the screen was Washington listed, which also does not make sense since Washington does not have any income tax, so why would it even be listed?  I did talk to Turbo Tax customer service twice, but they could not help me, and I was forced to pay the $40 to complete the return.  Shouldn't I be able to prepare an unlimited number of state and federal returns with the same software so long as I do not e-file them?

[AnnetteB6]

The answer to your question is yes, you should be able to prepare an unlimited number of state and Federal returns using the TurboTax program on each of your computers with the respective state tax programs downloaded on each computer.  The limitation is tied to electronic filing of those returns.  

That being said, I do not know of or have a solution for the problem you have experienced.  

@csoper 

[csoper]

Thank you for your response.  I appreciate your insight and to confirm my understanding.  I think that I just got ripped off by Turbo Tax, but at least I got the taxes done.