Does reinstalling TT on the same PC count toward the 5 license limit?

[BK2000]

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.

1. Does each install on the SAME computer count against the 5 limitation? Meaning after this I will have two left?   or
2. Does the Intuit server recognize some identifier specific to my laptop, knows that this is a reinstall on the SAME laptop, hence I have only used 1 or of 5 allowed licenses? (edited to cross out a typo and made the correction)

Thank you

[pk]

@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 ?

[BK2000]

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

[BK2000 · Accepted solution]

@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

[pk]

@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.

[BK2000]

@pk 

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.