TurboTax does not support tax year 2019 so the activation code will no longer work for that tax year. You should return the software for a refund.
The message just received say TT no longer support year 2019. Is there some way to activate the software? How do I get refund for downloaded software?
@Eddie73 wrote:
The message just received say TT no longer support year 2019. Is there some way to activate the software? How do I get refund for downloaded software?
Since the 2019 tax year is not supported there is no way to activate the software.
You will need to contact whomever sold you the 2019 software to get a refund.
How do I get refund from Turbo Tax as software was purchased from Turbo Tax and downloaded? What do I need to do to get refund?
Use this TurboTax website to request a refund - https://accounts.intuit.com/app/oirr
This is unacceptable! I need to open and refer to my 2019 return, but TurboTax 2019 refuses to accept the activation code.
I have TurboTax Desktop 2019 carefully saved on the original CD, along with a backup copy of all my tax files. After re-installing 2019, the software refuses to activate. A refund does me no good — I need to SEE THE RETURN, using the SOFTWARE THAT I PAID FOR.
Please call TurboTax Customer service. Here is a link: Turbo Tax Customer Service
Calling TurboTax Customer service will not help. Intuit has apparently decided it will support TT 2018 and TT 2020, but not TT2019. If there is a class action - I'm IN. I finished by 2018 taxes on TT 2018 a week ago. I went to install my TT2019 (purchased at Costco in March 2020), but it would not install on Windows 7:"need to upgrade to Windows 10". Last week upgraded laptop to Windows 10 (after fixing the Win7 SP1 TLS error with an MS EasyFix), then installed TT 2019 - no problem. Then TT 2019 indicated critical updates to the forms which I of course installed. All of that was successful. Then run TT 2019: enter the activation key which I did. But that's when TT said "cannot file electronically, TT 2019 not supported". Calling the suggested "Customer Service" line, the told me "you must file a paper copy" to which I replied "I need TT2019 to generate the paper copy. They said TT 2019 is no long er supported so I cannot use it. Their suggestion: Contact the IRS for paper forms. There is nothing on the packaging that says there is a limition where it will stop working. As mentioned, if there is a class action - I'm IN. Oh, and "Thanks"
I totally agree with you, but what can we do? I also need to access my 2019 Turbo Tax software that I purchased from Intuit and downloaded. Do we have any recourse?
I'm in with you. How do we find out if there is in fact a Class Action Suit? I'm IN too.
Just to share my recent experience attempting to activate my purchased through Amazon 2019 TurboTax on a new computer due to an audit. Technical support was smart and as helpful as the possibly good be so shout out to Reggie in technical support. He validated that my license code was indeed valid and associated with my account. He escalated my call to a non-technical tax specialist who also escalated it through his chain of command and reported back, "there is absolutely no fix to the situation that you face trying to get back into your 2019 TurboTax. We took it up the flag as far as we can go and there just isn't any fix."
I find it amazing that Intuit can get away with this. As tax payers we need to keep records back 7 years, but they can elect to not support activation after four(!). Does not seem right. I will be shopping for other solutions next year.
I could not agree more — this "not supported" excuse is total BS and unacceptable for software that we rely on to fulfill our legal obligation to pay taxes, keep records, and generally follow the rules as good citizens and Americans.
Is there anyone who has had any actual damages from this? Things like IRS audits or penalties, extra hours you paid accountants for, had to pay extra/back taxes due to incomplete records, etc. While Intuit is doing stuff that is clearly not right, that doesn't make a great basis for a lawsuit — much less the kind of class-action that would make them do better.
YES. I have incurred penalties and interest on the penalties because I have been trying to activate my 2019 Business software. I haven't been able to file until now for reasons that are irrelevant, but now that I am able to file I am using my PURCHASED and VALID software to try to complete the almost-finished return and have been blocked by this company's absolute disregard for U.S. Tax Laws and the length of time that returns need to be supported.
If any attorneys are reading this, or anyone has filed complaints with state agencies, I would gladly join any effort to make Intuit allow access to software already purchased and now essentially destroyed while still keeping consumers' money and also, in my case, being the direct cause of penalties and interest accruing while I try to redo everything that was already store in my return file.
If there is a class action, I also want in. This is ridiculous
Funny, my 2019 code worked at InstallTurboTax.com, where Intuit says "Enter your license code to confirm your purchase and retrieve your download." Intuit accepted the code from the CD box then and gave me the 2019 software to download. However, when the software asked for the *exact same code*, the code is now rejected and the software is useless.
Clearly they have the codes still saved in their computer system somewhere but they refuse to either (a) authorize re-installed software or (b) eliminate the need for an authorization code. Instead they make their software useless. They intentionally "brick" it.
This is a reminder that one size does not fit all. There is still a need for people to use TurboTax even if refunds are not possible (which is what the 3-year deadline is about).
FYI ... ALL DIY programs have a sunset for their programming. So if you need to file a tax year that is no longer supported then you can either get the forms/instructions directly from the IRS/state or seek a local tax pro.
If you already used that old program and cannot access it any longer then you should have saved BOTH a PDF and the .taxfile for safekeeping. The PDF can be opened by any PDF reader.
But if you only saved the .taxfile then you can try converting them to pdf files at Www.Taxprinter.Com
It might be expensive. They are not connected with Turbo Tax. Use it at your own risk.
If you have 2019 software installed, recommend try
-disconnect your PC from internet and wifi, ie isolate it.
-set time and date to sometime in 2020-2021.
-do NOT update - when asked, decline to update. An my case, everything appeared to work until I was asked to update my software. At the time I had current time on my PC
To access 2018 TT and earlier, I make sure to isolate my PC, set the time within the 3 yr window, do not update the software.
FYI, not all DIY software have sunset dates, but apparently all TurboTax software now does - information that would have been useful before the sunset date occurred. When is the sunset date for Turbotax 2020? 2021? Also FYI, I did end up using IRS paper forms for 2019 doing the calcs in a spreadsheet.
I spoke with Intuit support and got "interesting" answers.
I was told that the 3-year limit is on the CD case and on the license agreement. I've not checked the agreement.
More interesting was the statement that they HAD a patch for this, but have taken it down.
Don't remember seeing anything about a patch.
Sorry you will never be able to activate the 2019 program with the License Code. The License Code started in 2019. So 2019 needs to connect to Turbo Tax to verify the License Code. But they have stopped supporting 2019. They only support and update the last 3 years and put 2022 in the last years product pages and took off 2019.
Even if you install 2019 or prior you won't be able to update or download any state program you will need.
If you have the data file ending in .tax2019 and just need a copy or printout, you could try the TaxPrinter service (not connected with Turbo Tax) to convert a .tax file to pdf at
With some more searching, I found an answer that worked for me! It allowed activation. Unfortunately, it did not allow me to download the State program. I suspect that it is no longer available to download.
I have Deluxe, not H&B, so I went to that folder instead.
If you have trouble with this, leave a note here and I'll try to address it. I have no special knowledge about that patch, but how it works makes a lot of sense to me.
The sunset is easy to predict ... the oldest year is pushed out by the incoming year. The switch happens when efile closes at the end of October for the current year program. Only the last 4 tax years are supported ... the current filing year + the 3 years prior ... note the page where you can buy the prior year program has only 3 tax years to choose from (2020, 2021, 2022).
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/
Right now 2020 will be gone when the 2024 program goes live in November because 2023 moves to a prior year status. This stepping down has been the same for the at least the last 20 years that I know of & I don't see the policy changing any time soon.
Your post is of no help at all to my issue. "The sunset is easy to predict": can you tell me where I was informed of this when I purchased the product?
I would like to know if anyone has found a solution to this! I need to file my taxes and have been locked out for a year trying to open them. I don't understand why they would lock us out of just one year. Has anyone been able to use 2019? or access their file from this year?
Joni in Indiana