I know I can install TurboTax on up to 5 computers based on the license terms. This year I had to reformat my SSD and perform a fresh install of Windows OS on my laptop twice - and TurboTax 2023 as well. I want to reinstall TT2023 once again - so this will be the 3rd install on the exact same system.
Thank you
@pkand everyone,
I just verified that the MAC address is NOT what they go with! and in fact it is per each and every install based on my experience today. A Reddit post verified this as well and I wish I had found it sooner. I used up 5 of my 5 licenses on the same laptop today. How do I know this? after an install, one must login to their profile, and it shows how many licenses you have used and today I went from 2 to 5 (I know, I should've stopped and that's on me!). See screenshot for reference and note that you can x-out at this stage if you change your mind.
In all cases I made a note of all of my MAC addresses (Wifi and Ethernet) and all were the same (as they should be of course). I will be able to accomplish what I want but if I ever have to reinstall again, I will have to purchase a new license.
In conclusion to all users:
If you have to reinstall the TurboTax Windows desktop program, even on the same PC, every install will count against, and deduct from your 5 allowed licenses. This is from my actual personal experience - Windows 11 Pro 24H2, TurboTax Deluxe 2023.
Regards
@BK2000 re-installing on the same computer / laptop / ? ( same MAC address ) would not count as another installed device -- MAC address is unique.
Is there more I can do for you ?
Thank you @pk . That makes sense. I will wait to see if there are any other responses just in case and then will mark your answer accordingly. Regards
UPDATE: Please see my note below
@pkand everyone,
I just verified that the MAC address is NOT what they go with! and in fact it is per each and every install based on my experience today. A Reddit post verified this as well and I wish I had found it sooner. I used up 5 of my 5 licenses on the same laptop today. How do I know this? after an install, one must login to their profile, and it shows how many licenses you have used and today I went from 2 to 5 (I know, I should've stopped and that's on me!). See screenshot for reference and note that you can x-out at this stage if you change your mind.
In all cases I made a note of all of my MAC addresses (Wifi and Ethernet) and all were the same (as they should be of course). I will be able to accomplish what I want but if I ever have to reinstall again, I will have to purchase a new license.
In conclusion to all users:
If you have to reinstall the TurboTax Windows desktop program, even on the same PC, every install will count against, and deduct from your 5 allowed licenses. This is from my actual personal experience - Windows 11 Pro 24H2, TurboTax Deluxe 2023.
Regards
@BK2000 interesting. IRS measures the five returns per machine by using a similar devise ---- I am surprised because the MAC address of your NIC etc., are each unique and after you remove all the encapsulation of the messages , ultimately points to the interface adapter. I am assuming that you used cmd. ( ipconfig /all compartments /all ) to get all the details. Each of the adapters should have an unique 12 digit ( HEX ) MAC address.
What would explain your situation would be for TurboTax to use your TurboTax account as the unique use identifier. That would be a cheap trick to play when saying five installations. I apologize for my mistake.
No worries - the reason I maxed out was that I thought I missed something and tried it again. As I said it's on me being a curious techie person. And yes, I used ipconfig to verify all details of my system.
My objective for posting my findings was purely to help and inform other users as my little contribution to this great community that I have benefited from experts like you many times. Hopefully I won't need to use the 2023 version in the future after another future OS installation or a new system. Cheers.