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Level 2
posted Mar 14, 2024 8:01:28 AM

"license linked to another account" - No way to use other 4 licenses I purchased.... Mad as heck.

Just talked to support. I purchased a 5 license copy of Turbotax.  In years past, my kids (living with me) all used this. They created their own turbotax accounts. 

 

Now, Turbotax says, "license linked to another account" and my kids have to log in to MY account --- which I will never let them do.

 

So, Please, TurboTax, tell me... how in the world can we ever use the other 4 turbo tax licenses.... Because.... I don't know ANYONE who completes 5 personal tax returns for themselves.

 

This is sneaky and underhanded. Mad as heck.

 

I would NEVER have purchased Turbotax 5 license edition if I had known this.

 

How do I use the other 4 licenses? It seems to be an impossibility.

 

 

0 8 7598
8 Replies
Level 15
Mar 14, 2024 9:36:07 AM

You can install Turbo Tax on 5 computers YOU OWN. You would have to give them your online account info to activate the program. But they will not see your info and returns. The returns are only kept on the computer they were done on. They are not stored or saved on Turbo Tax online.  They can still use their account to efile their own returns. 


See this FAQ for why do I need to sign in to an Intuit Account this year? And how to Install and Activate
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/license-information/install-turbotax-cd-download-software-license-code/L1wFOSXur_US_en_US?uid=lnz7f146


Post on installing on family and friend's computer. See 2 employee answers,
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/re-if-two-or-more-families-file-under-one-turbotax-premier-license-key-can-family-see-other-fin/01/3219972

Level 2
Mar 14, 2024 12:35:24 PM

I assure you,  I own all the computers.  No I'm not installing my Intuit account on anything else because that's tied to QuickBooks,  etc. 

 

I've already returned the product to Costco.  I'm not going to deal with this insanity.  

 

Expert Alumni
Mar 14, 2024 12:42:56 PM

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.  

Level 15
Mar 14, 2024 12:53:06 PM

Logging into your online account won't affect anything else like QuickBooks etc.  You only have to log into the same online account to install and activate the program.  Then to file a return you can use your own account and they use their own accounts.  And the returns are only on the computer that filed it.  They are not in the online account so no one else can see your return, unless they use your computer.

 

If you don't want to give them your account info to install it then you enter your account on the computer to install and Activate it.  They won't see your account username or password and won't see any of your personal info or returns, etc.  

Level 2
Mar 14, 2024 4:44:11 PM

As stated,  i own am the computers

 

But I'm not a tax professional. Seems this rule is geared towards tax professionals only. 

 

Don't say it's good for 5 returns when only a tax professional  is capable of utilizing the other 4 licenses. 

 

I'm done with these stupid licensing games.  I already returned this to Costco.  Very generous return policy. 

 

Intuit can get someone else's business. Not mine. 

 

Level 1
Apr 11, 2024 6:51:44 AM

1000% agree. Predatory behavior to say the least. Just called customer service and with their new policies, they can enjoy their products themselves! Heading to one of the competitors who still have some decency. 

New Member
Jan 18, 2025 3:46:35 PM

Oh so you can't use the licenses that you bought? OK bye bye Intuit. What a joke. Anyone reading this from Google: TurboTax no longer lets you use the licenses that you bought, avoid this software from now on.

Level 15
Jan 18, 2025 3:52:25 PM

What is the problem?   You can install Turbo Tax on 5 computers you own.   It has always been that way.  It’s just last year they started enforcing it more.

 

Since you now have to log into an Intuit Account 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).