I am done with TurboTax

During the years that you have been using the CD, have you been aware that every update was being downloaded, and that the state software was being downloaded?   The CD that was released in the beginning of the tax season always required lots of updates---all downloaded-- to provide you with the updated forms from the IRS and states.  Fewer and fewer users have computers with disc drives, so downloading the software is more efficient.

Or—-Use this IRS site for ways to file for free.  There are 8  free software versions available from the IRS Free File site

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

Or—if you live in certain states you may be eligible to use the new IRS Direct File

( AZ, CA, FL, MA, NH, NV, NY, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY )

https://directfile.irs.gov/

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@Jimnkim wrote:
....I feel more comfortable with the CD. I have been ripped off too many times on downloads that didn't finish and could not get a refund or download a second time. TurboTax, you just lost a customer....

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I understand your concern, but there is a problem; absolutely no other DIY, consumer-level, income tax preparation software is available on CD or other type of media. 

Every other consumer-level income tax preparation software company requires preparing returns online or downloading installation files. H&R Block, for example, was one of the last to offer a CD but they are removing that option for the 2024 tax year (download only now).

If you do some research, you'll probably end up back here with TurboTax.

I always bought the CD from Costco.  But last year for 2023 I bought the download from Costco online.  I have Windows 10. Here's how mine went.

I got the activation email in 20 minutes.

I clicked on the link in  the email, then chose PC Download.  It automatically went to my Downloads folder.

I double clicked on the file to to install it.  It installed FAST! It launched and updated.  Hasn't asked for the Activation code yet.  It said to continue but nothing happened.

So I clicked on the Desktop Icon - got a sign in box.  Had to log into my Turbo Tax account.  They emailed me a code to verify me.  

Then got the Activation box and entered the 16 digit code and was in.  Actually I just copied and pasted it from the email.

This year I filled in the registration box so it should stop asking me every time I launch it.

For 2022…..

I bought the CD from Costco.  But I used the download method instead.   It has more advantages over CD.  Then you can also download it another computer. Once you install the CD you can't install it again like if you need to reinstall the program or install on a different computer.

That's up to you.  However, there are several download options (direct from Turbotax, Amazon, etc.), and once you have the purchase registered, you have as many times to try the download as you need, there are no limits on the number of downloads.  (There is a limit on the number of activations, but that's different.) 

And, of course, if you buy the download from TTX, any later downloads of the full installation file that you might make....those contain all of the most recent updates, so it is no longer the initial "beta" file that is issued in Nov-Dec.  I downloaded the full installation file for the 6th time just a few days ago.  I don't expect to need them, but I might get a new computer and would use a new installation .exe file to install there.

(don't know if 3rd party sellers use fully updated installation files if downloaded later)

I have installed the CD on three different computers for several years. No problem what so ever. Even with the CD I had hassles with using TurboTax. I am tired of the hassles, and I just know for certain that without having a product in hand, I will have more troubles. I will switch to another company. I buy the program, therefore I own the program, I should not have to jump through unnecessary hoops to use something I have bought. I am tired of it.

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@Jimnkim wrote:

...I will switch to another company....

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"Switch to another company"? Which one?

Did you read my post above? No other company offers a consumer-level income tax preparation program on a CD or any other type of media; it's either download and install or prepare online. 

You can switch, of course, and I couldn't care less, frankly, but you won't find what you seek.

I seek the friendly TurboTax of old!!!

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@Jimnkim wrote:

I seek the friendly TurboTax of old!!!

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Understood and I can empathize on a number of different levels but, unfortunately in many instances, times change and we need to adapt. 

For 2024, just try the TurboTax download from one of the vendors suggested in this thread; Costco (if you're a member), Amazon, or directly from Intuit. The procedure is fairly painless and you'll be fine. 

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@Jimnkim wrote:

I seek the friendly TurboTax of old!!!

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I remember Turbotax when it was MacInTax, and I was probably using it on a Mac LC III.  Times change.  

OK. My rant is over. People have posted a lot of good points, especially the one about laptops no longer having CD drives, which is a total shame in my humble opinion. Yes, times change and I hate to see the change in so many ways. But utilitarianism (the greatest good for the greatest number) has prevailed. I WILL download for 2024 and give it a try before going back to pencil and paper and US Mail for filing my return. Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.  

I bought a window 11 Pro PC i7, ITBSSD & 32GB Ram in Feb 2020 made by Lenovo from Neweggs.  It came with a disc drive too. 

So I had no problem using CD. 

Since TT goes for downloaded version and that effectively save them big bucks.  They should offer $5 less for 2024. 

I believe you can purchase a portable CD Rom with USB connection.

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@SLYKTAX wrote:

I believe you can purchase a portable CD Rom with USB connection.

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Sure you can, but you can't purchase consumer-level income tax preparation software on a CD; it's either online preparation or download now.

@SLYKTAX a blank CD in packs of 100 costs less than $ .30 each. of course, Intuit saves the manufacturing and some shipping costs. against that are higher costs because of more server and internet use. It also has other costs that increase yearly such as comp for their staff (forget the execs), phone service, utilities, .....

not that I feel sorry for a company whose profit went from about $2.4 billion in '23 to $3.2 billion in '24  

earnings per share for same periods about $8.40 to $10.40

I have been using Turbotax for over 25 years as well.  I always use the CD.  Last year, I had a problem with the CD being corrupt.  Tech support told me to use the online version as it "is the same."  However, once using it, I discovered it is NOT the same.  The online/downloaded version does not have a Forms option!  (When I called back to tech support, that next person said, "it is not the same and the previous person should have told me that.")   I often go from the interview back to the Forms to review and see the finished product.  I could NOT do that.  It was so frustrating.  I am looking at switching to HR Block or something else that has those features.  At this point, if I have to use a downloaded version, I'm not going with Turbotax as I could not navigate it the way the CD works.  Their own people know that, too.

@Marty A   The confusion is that the Online version is NOT the Download program.    The Download program is EXACTLY the same Desktop program as the CD.  You buy it the same way directly from Turbo Tax or in stores like Costco.   You know when you installed the CD you still had to go online to update it.   It's only the method you use to install it.    Even when I bought the CD I used the download method to install it.  So come back to Turbo Tax.   

If you used the Online version for 2023 you can Transfer it into the Desktop program.   So log into your account and save the .tax2023 file to your computer NOW so you can transfer it.  

Save the tax file
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/saving/help/how-do-i-save-my-turbotax-online-return-as-a-tax-data-file/00/25740

Thank you for your reply.  I just finished a call with Turbo Tax tech support that was outstanding.  She said basically what you did, that the website version and downloaded version are "completely different and separate products."  She said if I want the Forms option like the CD has provided, I should still purchase the product in a store (but, it won't have a CD.)  It will have a license code and I will download the program.  Just as when I would use the CD and then download updates.   That is a significant piece of information that TT has not communicated.  I assumed going to the "website" is just like getting the CD (or future license code in the store) and "downloading" updates from the website.   But, they are different.   I told her thinking "website" and "download" seem the same to me since I'm downloading from a website and that is why this is confusing.  Again, the company needs to make that clearer.  Best news is that I can stay with TT.  

Glad you confirmed my post.  So when you had to use the Online version you would have had to pay again for Online?  Did you get a refund for the bad CD?  They should have just put the download in your account.  Maybe they did but you ended up in the Online version by accident.

I'm not happy with some of the changes TurboTax has made in recent years, and I've been a user since at least 2008.  I ran into issues a couple of years ago where you had to pay extra to get questions answered through experts.  TT charged my credit card and said I would be sent an email when I could use the service.  I never got the email, later found out TT cancelled the transaction.  I finally got help through TT, but it was a major chore getting there.  I had to escalate the situation to a manager.

Anyway, I am OK with downloading the software from Amazon or one of the reputable online sources.  But I will not do my taxes online.  I still print my forms out and mail them to the IRS via snail mail.  I also store my tax files on an encrypted flash drive that is only installed in the computer when I'm working on TurboTax.  I don't like having my 1099s and W2s and other data stored in the cloud.

So for now, I continue to use TT.  If it becomes too much of a hassle, I will look at alternatives or pay a CPA to do my taxes (assuming he doesn't store my data on the cloud).

I don't believe I was charged for the online version.  I was not able to return the CD to the store as it had been opened and there was no verification that it was not working.  But, it worked out ok as I paid for TT (store) and was able to complete my taxes using TT (online.) 

And, you are correct; the person put me in the online version not the download version and that is why I was not pleased with how it functioned.

Hmmmmm,  did you have a refund? If you don’t remember paying for the Online version maybe you had the fees deducted from your refund.  Or support might have given you a service code to enter.  Doesn’t really matter, I’m just curious.  It’s all in the past, what’s done is done.

So I always buy my Turbo tax at Sams club but would love to buy on line and get started earlier HOWEVER I am getting a new computer for Christmas.  And I want the cardboard to show I bought the dang thing, otherwise if there are issues all I have is exactly nothing.   Can I buy something physical for you to mail me?

You don't have to worry about that anymore.  Since you now have to log into an Intuit Account when you install it all your downloads and licenses are listed there (even if you bought it from somewhere else) so if you need to download to install it again or install on another computer, even on the other operating system (Windows, Mac).

I bought the download from Costco for 2023. Since you now have to log in to a Turbo Tax Account, the License Code and download are listed in my Turbo Tax account. Access your downloads here
https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/commerce/account/secure/login.jsp?pagecontext=download

New ttax 5 users:

False advertisemment. This is 5 computers  installlation. Every computer you install becomes 1 user. Be very carefull that if your computer died or need reinstall, your previous installed is one count gone.

This turbotax 2024 CANNOT allow you to import past year tax returns, whether it’s fromm turbotax 2023 or Hr block 2023.

Shameful tool for turbotax 2024