I have the desktop version of turbotax and have 2 children who need to file taxes.
Do they have to sign into my account in order to start their returns?
In the past, I think I have given them my code to download and they made their own account and used their own computers to do their taxes.
The TurboTax user license allows one user to install copies of TurboTax on up to five computers that the user owns. You can also prepare multiple returns, including returns for other people. But the license does not allow, and has never allowed, one copy to be shared among different people. This year, that license is being enforced by requiring users to log into their TurboTax online account when they install the program for the first time. This locks one particular copy of the program and one license code to one user account. The only way you could install the program on a computer that you do not own, would be to give the other person your online username and password. And even though that workaround might allow the installation, it’s still a violation of the license.
The TurboTax software license only allows you to install the software on up to 5 computers that you own. You would need to sign onto your TurboTax account for each new installation.
If using the same computer to start another tax return all you need to do is click on the File menu in the upper left of the desktop program screen and click on New Tax Return. There is no need for you to sign onto your TurboTax account for another tax return using the same computer.