bought turbo tax at costco. No idea where activation code is at. Utterly stupid. Code should have been on cardboard purchase.

[BrittanyS]

The license code for TurboTax products purchased from a retailer, is printed on the front of the box insert.  

If you are still having trouble finding the activation code, you can contact TurboTax at the link below:

• Contact Us

[DaveinCharlotte1]

At Costco, the card you take off the display rack says "exchange this for product code - see cashier."  Don't ignore this!  Once you have checked out, paid for your Costco purchase(s) and obtained your receipt, take the receipt and the display card to the nearby Costco rep, who will exchange the card for a product card.  Do this before you leave the store.  At home, open the product card and pull off the tab inside.  Extract the "Welcome to Turbotax!" insert, which will have the 16-digit product code prominently displayed.  If for some reason you left the store without exchanging the cards, take your display card and receipt back to Costco.

[VolvoGirl]

Yes after you paid did you go to the customer service pickup window and get the actual package?  It's always been that way, even when they sold the CD.  You probably need to go back to Costco with your receipt and cardboard.

Then when you get the 16 digit License Code.  How to get started with the Desktop program, install and activate it
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/product-delivery/download-software-turbo...