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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 10:52:12 AM

How do I know if the website SoftwareDiscountUSA.com is selling valid, licensed copies of TurboTax? It looks like it may be a scam.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Nov 27, 2020 12:14:09 PM

This link Where can I obtain authentic TurboTax software? has a list of authorized TurboTax resellers.

24 Replies
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:52:13 AM

It is not licensed to sell TT.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 10:52:14 AM

Why doesn't Intuit shut them down?  I search Google for TurboTax download and their Ad is the top result.  Can I report this?

Level 1
Jul 29, 2019 1:34:11 PM

This is a rip off company, when you buy from them they will repeatedly keep charging your credit card and they fight the credit card companies will not fight for you the charges just keeep coming to haunt you till you close the account

Level 1
Nov 27, 2020 11:37:14 AM

I just purchased a digital version of TurboTax Premier 2020 with one set of activation key. It works fine on our iMAC machine and start software update ( Turbo tax premier) right away. I will be watching on my credit card charge regularly to make sure there is no repeated multiple charge of the same purchase.

Not applicable
Nov 27, 2020 11:51:59 AM

from what website? some are legit some aren't. if they aren't at best you get counterfeit software at worse you may get faulty software or even worse your identity may be stolen.  they have your Credit Card number 

Level 15
Nov 27, 2020 12:14:09 PM

This link Where can I obtain authentic TurboTax software? has a list of authorized TurboTax resellers.

Not applicable
Dec 11, 2020 7:12:01 AM

I just ordered the TTax 2020 and it's working fine. The code I received worked fine. But others stated that they charge few times on credit card. I'm not sure if this is right but I will keep checking..... 

Level 15
Dec 11, 2020 7:24:55 AM

Buying from unauthorized resellers can be risky ... even thou the program may work correctly your CC or personal tax return info can be harvested and used/sold    and/or   spyware/malware can also be installed in the background.  Use at your own risk.  

Not applicable
Dec 11, 2020 7:26:49 AM

Maybe but not in this case.... Everything went fine. If something would go wrong I would Said so.

Not applicable
Dec 11, 2020 7:32:11 AM

They can't get your personal info like that. If you worry about that you should not install or run Any software that connects to internet. Including your Emails or Browser and other stuff.....

 

Level 15
Dec 11, 2020 9:24:18 AM


@Anonymous wrote:

They can't get your personal info like that. If you worry about that you should not install or run Any software that connects to internet. Including your Emails or Browser and other stuff.....

 


At best, you are helping the vendor steal from turbotax and making the product more expensive for everyone else.  Are you the sort of person who would buy a $100 power tool for $50, out of the trunk of someone's car at the Home Depot parking lot, knowing they just shoplifted it from the store?  If you would not do this in the daylight, why do it in the privacy of your home?

 

At worst, the software might be compromised, your personal information might be misused, or the activation code might not work as expected.  (For example, if they sell the same code to 5 people, all 5 people will get one installation, and won't know anything is wrong, until they need to install it on a second computer.)

 

Best of luck.

Not applicable
Dec 11, 2020 10:15:20 AM

Do you know what you talking about. They are selling legal software. They did not steal the software or give a pirate Licence. They got it from dealers just like Amazon, Best Buy and so on. So no I'm not helping them steal and sell pirate software. Get your information straight before you accuse someone of Stealing.......

And yes I would buy a Tool for 50% off. From the web side not from truck.....

 

 

Level 15
Dec 11, 2020 10:24:32 AM

Who are "they"?  If you buy a download or CD from a non authorized place or website they can put a virus on it that will steal your Personal Info or scam you or mess up your computer, etc.  Or give you a used or fake activation code.  Lots of things can happen.

Level 15
Dec 11, 2020 10:39:00 AM


@Anonymous wrote:

Do you know what you talking about. They are selling legal software. They did not steal the software or give a pirate Licence. They got it from dealers just like Amazon, Best Buy and so on. So no I'm not helping them steal and sell pirate software. Get your information straight before you accuse someone of Stealing.......

And yes I would buy a Tool for 50% off. From the web side not from truck.....

 

 


 

No, you’re just being willfully blind. If an unauthorized site can buy copies from Amazon, they won’t make a profit unless they sell for more than Amazon charges. Which they must not be doing, otherwise you would be buying from Amazon instead of the unauthorized site. The only way the unauthorized site can undercut authorized vendors and still make a profit for themselves is if they are doing something underhanded.  The most common complaint that we have seen over past years is that the unauthorized site cells activation codes that have already been used. An activation code can be used up to five times. Suppose they sell the same code to three people. Odds are, their customers won’t need to reinstall the program and so won’t have reason to complain, but buying one copy and reselling it three times is clearly stealing.  And we do see complaints here later in the season of people who need to reinstall the software and their activation codes won’t work, and customer service won’t provide a new activation code without proof of purchase from an authorized reseller.

 

Regardless, you’ve obviously made up your mind and everyone else reading this can make up their own minds and take their own risks.

Not applicable
Dec 11, 2020 1:20:01 PM

I'm not going keep argue with you.. You don't have to be authorized reseller to sell things. I don't know where you got that Stupid Idea that you can't sell... I told they did not stole the software and is no Pirate.. It has legitimate Licence so it came from TurbiTax it self and not that they make it the licence.

 

So stop saying stupid things that you don't nothing about it....... 

The TurboTax shows Authorized sides that are Big but smaller can sell it too......

 

Not applicable
Dec 11, 2020 1:27:51 PM

This is Authorized dealers - Amazon, Best Buy, BJs, Costco, Dell, Newegg, Office Depot Max, Sam's Club, Staples.

 

 

I can buy it at Walmart, Target, and other stores. Are you want me to tell that Walmart will sell me PIRATE TurboTax..

Be Real and stop talking stupid stuff........................

Level 15
Dec 11, 2020 1:46:15 PM

Hey, we are talking about non authorized places!  Not legitimate websites and stores.  The places you listed ARE Legit.

Level 15
Dec 11, 2020 2:04:48 PM


@Anonymous wrote:

This is Authorized dealers - Amazon, Best Buy, BJs, Costco, Dell, Newegg, Office Depot Max, Sam's Club, Staples.

 

 

I can buy it at Walmart, Target, and other stores. Are you want me to tell that Walmart will sell me PIRATE TurboTax..

Be Real and stop talking stupid stuff........................


Guy, Target is listed.  And Sam's Club is the same as Walmart, I expect not listing Walmart is an oversight.

 

Look, here's how it works:

An authorized reseller gets their boxed copies, or their authorization codes, in bulk at a discount off the "suggested" list price.  The reseller can then sell the boxed copy or license code for any price they want.  It so happens that Costco usually sells at or below their bulk wholesale price, because Costco makes most of its operating profit on their annual membership fees.  Everyone else sells for a price that is higher than the wholesale price, but usually lower than the official "list" price, so they can call it a discount.

 

Any other reseller must get their copies from someone else, because they can't get them from Turbotax.  So maybe the reseller goes to Costco and buys 100 boxed copies.  And then lists them for $10 less than the Costco price.  How exactly do they make money?

 

Which is why they don't sell boxed copies, only downloads with activation codes.  Do you really think they buy the activation codes from legitimate vendors for $49.99 (Turbotax Deluxe Fed+State PC download) each and sell them for $39.99 each?  No, they sell the same activation code 2, 3 or more times.  Now that's $120 revenue off a $50 purchase, and most customers never know the difference. 

 

There's a reason that web sites like this are registered anonymously through registrars like "www.namecheap.com" (actual registration data for this site) and serve their software copies from Dropbox or Google Drive instead of legitimate servers.  

 

Nearly all consumer goods are like this.  You go to a street vendor and by a"Gucci" handbag, you know the vendor didn't get it wholesale from the Gucci factory.  It's most likely counterfeit, or stolen, or used.  But as long as it looks real enough to fool your friends, you don't care.

 

What you are essentially saying is, "I trust that this anonymous company more than I trust multiple volunteers with 100+ years of combined experience".  

 

So good luck to you, and happy Christmas or whatever else you celebrate. 

Not applicable
Mar 26, 2021 8:43:18 AM

Purchased TT 2020 from them.  Worked fine but....  license says I can install up to a 3rd(?) computer.  When I tried to install on a second machine, message returned that my activation/license number was invalid.  So maybe they sell the same license number several times?  No unauthorized credit card charges so far.

 

Needless to say, I'm not going back to this outfit ever.

Level 15
Mar 26, 2021 8:45:54 AM

For USA returns you can install it on 5 computers you own.  Canada might be 3.  

 

But 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.

 

Contact Customer Service
5am-9pm Pacific Time
7 days a week
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

What is the Turbo Tax phone number
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

Level 1
Dec 31, 2021 2:41:38 PM


@Opus 17 wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

Do you know what you talking about. They are selling legal software. They did not steal the software or give a pirate Licence. They got it from dealers just like Amazon, Best Buy and so on. So no I'm not helping them steal and sell pirate software. Get your information straight before you accuse someone of Stealing.......

And yes I would buy a Tool for 50% off. From the web side not from truck.....

 

 


 

No, you’re just being willfully blind. If an unauthorized site can buy copies from Amazon, they won’t make a profit unless they sell for more than Amazon charges. Which they must not be doing, otherwise you would be buying from Amazon instead of the unauthorized site. The only way the unauthorized site can undercut authorized vendors and still make a profit for themselves is if they are doing something underhanded.  The most common complaint that we have seen over past years is that the unauthorized site cells activation codes that have already been used. An activation code can be used up to five times. Suppose they sell the same code to three people. Odds are, their customers won’t need to reinstall the program and so won’t have reason to complain, but buying one copy and reselling it three times is clearly stealing.  And we do see complaints here later in the season of people who need to reinstall the software and their activation codes won’t work, and customer service won’t provide a new activation code without proof of purchase from an authorized reseller.

 

Regardless, you’ve obviously made up your mind and everyone else reading this can make up their own minds and take their own risks.


I did buy from them last year before I knew about their business model. Indeed, when I tried to install on a second machine a month or so after the first install, the activation code would not work. When I contacted them, they provided me with a different activation code which did work. But I know better now and will pay a few more $ in order to get a valid, authorized version this tax year.

We all want a great deal but I'm willing to pay for nice, clean oats. If, on the other hand, you're willing to pay for oats that have already been through the horse, that's your call.

Level 1
Dec 31, 2021 10:39:51 PM

Just in case there's interest: Costco has the Home & Business "download" for $70 + sales tax.

Not applicable
Jan 1, 2022 8:44:07 AM

"

I did buy from them last year before I knew about their business model. Indeed, when I tried to install on a second machine a month or so after the first install, the activation code would not work. When I contacted them, they provided me with a different activation code which did work. But I know better now and will pay a few more $ in order to get a valid, authorized version this tax year.

We all want a great deal but I'm willing to pay for nice, clean oats. If, on the other hand, you're willing to pay for oats that have already been through the horse, that's your call."

 

This got nothing to do with the DiscountUSA but TurboTax security. So you can't share with others like friends, Family and so on.

Level 1
Apr 27, 2022 6:10:39 PM

I've been buying from them for the last 3 years and it always work and their customer service always answers my questions and resolves any problem when I have.