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New Member
posted Jan 29, 2021 1:40:16 PM

How can I download CD version of Turbotax Premier on multiple computers with different accounts?

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22 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jan 29, 2021 7:38:48 PM

Please click this TuboTax FAQ to learn how to download the CD version of TurboTax to multiple computers. 

 

  1. Go to InstallTurboTax.com.
  2. Set up a TurboTax account if you don't already have one. If you do, sign in. (If you don’t remember your credentials, you can walk through our Account Recovery page to see if you already have an account.)
  3. Enter your license code in the pop up window.
    • It’s a 16-character combination of letters and numbers (XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX) that can be found on your CD box insert, envelope, or packing slip. (Note: The 2019 product has a 14-character code that looks like this: XXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX)
  4. Select your operating system, and select Get Download.
  5. Download your software and install.
    • When you get to the Your product is installed, now let's activate it screen, enter your license code in the License code box, and select Continue to complete installation.

If you need help installing, we can help with Windows and Mac.

Returning Member
Feb 11, 2021 11:13:30 AM

This did not address the question at all. It asks about "multiple computers". Neither the response or link helped with this.

Level 8
Feb 11, 2021 1:11:07 PM

You should be able to, in Chrome, "sync" all devices if you are using a decent fraud protection software system. It should have given you a "multiple devices" alert. If you go onto your browser account and click on the three dots at the top right, provided you purchased "multiple device" protection, it will give you the option of the sync mode I mentioned. I believe 5 to 10 for Norton is around $49/yr right now. I hope it works! Please let me know if it does not.

 

Level 2
Feb 14, 2021 4:11:09 PM

My problem is, I used the CD version on an apple computer. I purchased the Turbotax Premium edition so that I can use the CD and have my son download the version for his Windows laptop. This solution does not help for that. He is unable to download, any ideas on how to get the Premier edition download???

Intuit Alumni
Feb 14, 2021 4:52:13 PM

You're able to download to multiple computers, but you must use the same TurboTax account.

 

@praemart Refer to the instructions in the following Help Article to see if you're able to get a Windows copy of the download:  I bought the CD, but my computer doesn't have a CD drive  If not, you'll need to speak with someone on our phone support team for further assistance:  What is the TurboTax phone number?

 

 

Level 15
Feb 14, 2021 5:01:16 PM

Is it your son's computer?  Do you own it?  Actually you are not suppose to share it.  The License is to install Turbo Tax on 5 computers you own.

 

There is a problem if you first installed the CD.  It doesn't connect you to an account you can find.  You have to call in and ask for the download and a new License Code.  Hopefully you get a customer service person who know about it.

 

This guy explained it good

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/cannot-reinstall-download-cd-product-on-second-computer/00/1770119

Level 2
Feb 14, 2021 5:37:53 PM

I have tried signing in with the same user account, but have not been successful in downloading the Windows version on a different laptop. So frustrated, any other suggestions on how to activate the download Premium  software after using the CD ?to activate on a different computer

Intuit Alumni
Feb 14, 2021 6:24:44 PM

@praemart You will probably need a new download pushed to your account.  However, as @VolvoGirl explained, the purchase of TurboTax CD Download software is to use on 5 computers you own.  I cannot definitively say if you will be able to get a free Windows download when you purchased the Mac software. 

 

Please call and speak with someone in phone support:  What is the TurboTax phone number?

Level 2
Feb 15, 2021 3:13:33 AM

I will try to contact support as per @DaraLO and @VolvoGirl . Also, the laptop my son uses is owned by me. That was the whole reason we bought this edition, for the advertised multiple uses in our family. Still very frustrated with this process. Thanks to @DaraLO and @VolvoGirl  and @WendyN2  for the help.

New Member
Feb 3, 2022 5:07:02 PM

Am I able to use download version on a mac and a windows PC using different accounts

Level 15
Feb 3, 2022 5:10:32 PM

Yes.  But you don't need different online accounts.   You don't log in online to use the Desktop CD/Download program.  But if you download to one os you will need to call in ask ask for the other download to be put in your account.

Level 3
Mar 25, 2022 5:50:16 PM

I've read through many of the previous posts. I'm in a similar situation--bought the CD version and used it to install TT on my Windows PC. Now I want to download on a Mac without an internal CD drive. Got the error message about the license code already being associated with an account. Just called TT and was told I can't use the CD and the download! Rep said I have to choose--so since I used the CD already I'm stuck using that on other computers. And she also said I could connect an external CD drive to the Mac and install from the CD onto my Mac. Is this really true? Thanks.

Intuit Alumni
Mar 26, 2022 1:34:30 PM

Yes. Please see this Help Article for instructions on how to install the TurboTax software on your Mac.

@deb46

Level 3
Mar 26, 2022 2:17:46 PM

Thanks for the info. Can you show me where in the license agreement that it says I have to choose download or CD? 

@MoniqueLO_ 

 

 

Level 15
Mar 26, 2022 2:30:10 PM

Did you see this help article?  If you installed from the CD it seems you can not download it from online now.  You can't do both CD and download.   See the info on this FAQ

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/i-bought-the-cd-but-my-computer-doesn-t-have-a-cd-drive/00/26450

 

So you need to call in to get the download pushed to your account.

 

Or try copying the CD to a usb flash drive.  See SteamTrains post here. But this might only work for Windows.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/why-can-t-i-install-turbotax-on-my-laptop-via-download-after-once-installing-on-pc-via-cd/00/2460054

Level 3
Mar 26, 2022 3:05:16 PM

I did see that article. The rep gave me the same info when I called yesterday (see my earlier post) and she would not push the download to my account. She said I had to connect an external CD drive to my Mac and use that to install from my CD. 

@VolvoGirl 

Level 15
Mar 26, 2022 3:15:24 PM

I know.  Some reps will give you the download and some won't.  I would keep calling to get someone who will put the download in your account.  

 

Keep us posted if you get it installed and if the CD worked (if you get a drive).  Last year I had trouble installing on my Windows laptop after installing the CD on my Windows Desktop even using an external CD drive.  I had to ask for the download.  But the CD might work for installing on another OS.  Good luck.  

Level 3
Mar 28, 2022 1:37:36 PM

I was able to borrow an external CD drive and install the Mac version. I also did the updates, but I haven't had a chance to start a return yet. I will update when I do that. Thanks for the help!

@VolvoGirl 

Level 15
Mar 28, 2022 1:44:23 PM

So you got it installed?  And activated with the License Code?  Good going!  Thanks for posting back.

Level 3
Mar 28, 2022 2:05:56 PM

Yes, I installed with the license code that came in the box with the CD. And did the updates. Haven't started a new tax return yet.

Level 3
Mar 29, 2022 10:42:56 AM

One more update:  I was able to do both state and federal returns without any problems. For others with the same problem, buying an external CD drive (looks like they cost about $25) could be a less expensive solution than buying another copy of TurboTax. And then you have the drive for other uses (or next year's tax software).

@VolvoGirl 

Intuit Alumni
Mar 29, 2022 3:23:37 PM

Thank you for providing the solution that worked for you @deb46.