TurboTax

File with experts
File your taxes
Experts at your fingertips

An expert helps with your taxes, or does them for you
TurboTax Expert Full Service

TurboTax Expert Assist

TurboTax Self-Employed
Prior year taxes
File myself
File myself
Do it yourself

We'll guide you step-by-step
TurboTax Do It Yourself

TurboTax Self-Employed

TurboTax Desktop
TurboTax Free

Activate your product

Prior year taxes
Business
Business
Business taxes

Get your T2 corporate return done right, your way
TurboTax Business

TurboTax Business Desktop
Tax situations
Tax situations
Tax situations

Find extra guidance for your big life moves
For investors

For 25 and younger

For self-employed

For new to Canada

For life changes
Resources
Resources
Resources

Explore tax tools, get tips, and read reviews
Personal income tax calculator

RRSP savings calculator

Learning hub

TurboTax support (FAQ)

TurboTax community
Pricing

Level 1

Solved

Failed validation error

43 replies
371 views

I'm getting the failed validation error last night trying to e-file both federal and state. It asked me to get an update but the program showed all the latest update are done.

CatinaT1Answer

Alumni - Intuit

Here are several troubleshooting steps that you can try:

Make sure your Windows Software is up to date.
If you are using a downloaded version, uninstall and reinstall the program from your MyDownloads folder. How do I find my TurboTax for Windows software download?
If that doesn't help, try a manual update. What is a manual update?
Turning off your VPN and anti-virus software during the update can help as well.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

CatinaT1Answer

Alumni - Intuit

Here are several troubleshooting steps that you can try:

Make sure your Windows Software is up to date.
If you are using a downloaded version, uninstall and reinstall the program from your MyDownloads folder. How do I find my TurboTax for Windows software download?
If that doesn't help, try a manual update. What is a manual update?
Turning off your VPN and anti-virus software during the update can help as well.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Mestisoboy

Level 2

Still getting Failed Validation Error.

Opened TurboTax to e-file this morning. Mon 2/17.

It downloaded an update and then restarted.

Went to e-file and got Failed Validation Error.

Re-booted PC. : Failed Validation Error

Did manual master update. : Failed Validation Error

I was able to e-file Federal but not State.

This is not fixed and is a global issue at least for California as validated by the replies.

I'm not going to uninstall and re-install something that I paid for that should work.

Who's going to pay me for having to do I.T. work on an Intuit product because they can't get it together?

Location: California

FailedValidation

Level 3

You're not alone. What state? I've seen several people have this same issue and weve all been California.

Turbotax needs to GET IT TOGETHER.

dianade

Level 2

I am having the same issue with California. Any updates Turbotax?

knguyen44

Level 2

No update, use MacOS 13 or above

ToanPhan

Level 2

Same here. Able to e file federal but failed on CA state.

Mamabearbigfoot

Level 2

Same here. Updated windows and turbo tax with no resolution. Still says validation error. California

knguyen44

Level 2

Recommend to use MacOS 13 or above

KGS5N

Level 2

My State Tax is in California as well, had the same issue. If we are paying for the software, TurboTax needs to do a better job.

Jim558

Level 2

I encountered the same problem trying to efile my SC state return so I turned off my virus protection and downloaded TurboTax again. Prior to installing, I uninstalled the current TurboTax program and verified Windows was up to date. Then after restarting my laptop, I installed the new downloaded version and turned virus protection back on. Thankfully, TurboTax transmitted the state return after the reinstall.

GS202502

Level 2

I have the same issue. Cannot e-file California taxes.

GS202502

Level 2

I disabled my Norton antivirus/firewall protection, downloaded the latest CA update, and was able to efile my CA taxes.

Mestisoboy

Level 2

How did you get "just" the California update?

I'm in the same boat as you.

paligas

Level 2

What a shambolic product from Intuit. This is surely the last year I use TurboTax to file.

JM1183

Level 2

Same problem here with SC return. Says to update but all updates are done. Very frustrating!!

aimlessolive318

Level 2

Just tried to submit fed and state last night. Got this same error. Was on the phone with TT support for a while last night. My computer needed updates. They thought that might be the issue. I did the updates, but didn't help. Reading stuff on here, I hadn't even thought about trying to only submit fed. I did that this morning, and it went through. I then tried state (Ohio), and got the validation failed error 😞 Still waiting to see/read how to fix this. I've already paid the $25 required to submit state electronically.

CatinaT1

Alumni - Intuit

Ok, so now go through these steps and you should be able to file your state. State install/e-file update loop: State not installed after installation or TurboTax needs to update prior to e-file

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

aimlessolive318

Level 2

It's not giving me the option to "Run As Administrator."

I had the downloaded version (purchased from Amazon). Is the 2nd option even valid? If so, do I lose all of the info I've completed for 2024?

1040cpa

Level 2

I am having the same issue as of 03/06/2025 - trying to e-file Federal & NJ 1065 forms. Is there a fix in the works? I tried all of the trouble shooting suggestions. I also uninstalled and reinstalled the TT software - still to no avail! Repeated all of the steps with Anti-virus disabled, still no luck.