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Level 3
posted Dec 12, 2023 6:13:29 PM

Can I share turbo tax 2023 product key with a family member if we have different turbo tax log in accounts?

In the past I have purchased Turbo Tax with a family member to share costs.  They have their own Turbo Tax user ID and password.  We plan on only using on 4 computers total.  With the new Product Key System  we want to conform it will work for us or do we need to purchase our own Product Key?  We only file 3 returns in total.

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24 Replies
Level 15
Dec 12, 2023 6:19:12 PM

The License Code is for the Desktop CD/Download program.  You can install it on 5 computers you own.   Sounds like they were using the Online version before?  You can only install it from your account.  They should use your computer.  If you only file 3 returns why do you need 4 computers?

Level 3
Dec 12, 2023 6:34:57 PM

Thanks for responding.  So you are saying that the product key is tied to the turbo tax account and will fail if the same key is used with 2 accounts.  Do I have this correct?

I use 2 computers when preparing, filing and backing up my work.  Other family member uses only one.  And I prepare 3 returns.   Thanks again,

Level 15
Dec 12, 2023 6:39:07 PM
Level 1
Dec 28, 2023 10:44:57 AM

I'm curious too.  Can we still e-file taxes using our own intuit account even though the license key is linked/logged in to a different account?

 

Edit:  Figured it out, this year's setup is dumb.  After you install turbo tax, signed in and activated with the account that purchased the license key, sign out of that account and login to your own and it stays activated.

New Member
Jan 1, 2024 1:26:54 PM

I'm running into the same issue and this (The [Edit] method) seems to work for me. Just curious whether we will have any issues if we file the return with an account that is different than the original account linked with the license key.  

New Member
Jan 10, 2024 10:14:37 AM

I installed v. 2023, signed in, input the key but says this key is in use by someone else (who I know) but cannot use the software

 

Level 3
Jan 10, 2024 10:25:11 AM

Because the Key is now associated with the other person's login credentials.  The only way to install on your computer is to have that other person log into their account on your computer.  What is unknown to me is what will happen when filing.  Hope this helps.  BB

Expert Alumni
Jan 10, 2024 12:17:08 PM

Correct. The Product Key is only used once, when TurboTax is initially installed on a computer.  

 

If another person wants to use it on another computer, they will need to sign in to the owner's account and download it to their computer (or the owner will need to sign in to their account on your computer).

 

@seahusker1 

Level 1
Jan 18, 2024 11:10:58 AM

Thanks but that still doesn't answer the question "Can family members file (submit) their tax returns using the software downloaded onto their computer by the original key code holder, but using their own TT account/log in?" 

Level 15
Jan 18, 2024 11:17:50 AM

@FilingEarlyThisYear The answer to your question is NO.   TurboTax changed the rules and made it stricter this year for 2023 software.   You can link that license code to only one TT account, not multiple accounts.  So......if you are trying to share within the family, everyone needs to use that same TT account to get the download.   The deal is that the license code is only for up to five computers that YOU own, not computers owned by multiple people.

Level 15
Jan 18, 2024 11:20:52 AM

But I think after you install the program when you go to efile a return you can use your own log in info.  

Level 1
Jan 18, 2024 12:26:34 PM

Thanks - I was aware of the downloading using my account info part. My question is about after the computers have the software downloaded and installed under my account, can my family members sign in using their own account, then e-file under their own account using the TT I installed on the other computers. 

Level 15
Jan 18, 2024 12:28:04 PM

I believe so.  Post back and let us know if you can or can't.  

Level 2
Jan 18, 2024 4:04:40 PM

If I understand correctly, I heard that you can not do efiling in different TT accounts. All efiling needs to be done in the same TT account that TT was originally activated in. Say if you share TT account with your other family members for efiling, everyone will be able to see each other's filing history and details. That sucks. TT basically just made this change to have everyone buy their own software unless you're ok sharing your efiling info with whom you're sharing the account with and vice versa. This is just what I heard since I have not done it myself to prove this is the case yet.

Level 2
Jan 18, 2024 4:07:33 PM

I hope TT people who have this knowledge in the TT 2023 software can clarify exactly how this family sharing thing works.

Level 15
Jan 18, 2024 4:11:31 PM

When you use desktop software (the CD/download) your own tax file is only stored on your own hard drive.  Your tax return is not stored in an online account.  No one can see your tax return by going to the online account you would use for just downloading the software.   And...even if you share the same computer with a family member, you can always password protect your tax file so that no one else can look at it.   

Level 2
Jan 18, 2024 4:19:53 PM

That is correct until efiling so my point is about efiling. If you're not doing efiling, that is ok and everything is stored on your computer locally. 

So, you meant family members can do their efilings in their own TT accounts or they have to use the original owner's TT account but still no tax detail is visible in the account other than the efiling history?

Level 15
Jan 18, 2024 4:24:00 PM

E-filing  from desktop software does not put your tax return online into your online account.   Only tax returns prepared using online software are stored online.   If you use the CD/download no one else can access your tax return.  It is only stored on your own hard drive or any back up device you use like a flash drive.

 

 

I think you would benefit from a real time conversation with customer support.

 

To call TurboTax customer support

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number

Level 15
Jan 18, 2024 4:32:00 PM

You just have to log into the same account to INSTALL the program.  You should be able to efile with each person's account.  And even if you use the same account to efile no one can see any other returns or history done on the Desktop program.  The returns are only kept on the computer that filed it and in a separate file, even if you efile though Turbo Tax . 

Level 2
Jan 18, 2024 6:33:27 PM

Using the same account to install the product is fine since it's just a one time thing.

Being able to do efiling using family members' individual TT accounts is great. Are you sure about this since that's not what I heard? If so, that would be perfect.

Expert Alumni
Jan 19, 2024 9:03:50 AM

Once TurboTax is installed, when you open the program, you are asked to Register your account by filling out a form.

 

So each person using the program registers and Efiles separately.   This would apply even if several people are using the program on the same computer, as each person 'starts a new return' and has a separate registration. 

 

You don't need a User ID and Password to prepare/efile a return in TurboTax Desktop. Your TurboTax Account is not being accessed. 

 

Here's more info about Installing TurboTax on more than one computer.

 

@psltax145 

 

New Member
Jan 20, 2024 9:20:39 PM

may i please have the code also it will continue to work\

Level 15
Jan 20, 2024 9:22:33 PM

Only you have the License Code.    Where to find the License Code
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/i-can-t-find-my-license-code/01/852973

Not applicable
Jan 21, 2024 3:04:11 PM

This is false information. If you log into to Intuit then TurboTax online via the web, you can download a copy of your return that was created by the desktop version in a previous year. I did it. So the comment “not stored in an online account” is completely false.