Can I install TurboTax CD on both PC and Mac for only one license fee?

[rahulpandit]

When I tried the message, I also see error message - "This license code has already been associated with an account. Please check that account and look for it in Downloads." This was not an issue last year, and I can still see both Windows and Mac links for previous year purchases. Somehow TurboTax manages to find a way to break things that were working fine. 

[CarissaM]

Please recheck your license code, as the errors you are receiving indicate we cannot locate the license. @fengfang @rahulpandit 

[rahulpandit]

@CarissaM - Thanks for your prompt response.

It is not that TurboTax cannot locate my license since I am able to see the Windows download for that same license code.  See the attached images. I spent one hour with TurboTax online support to explain all this. The customer agent agreed that the Premier Download purchased from Costco allows 5 Federal filings and I can install the windows exe downloaded for the given license code on 5 computers. This is clearly stated on the Desktop CD box as well. Logically assuming, I hope Costco is not expecting the same person to sit on his own computer and file for 5, but let his adult family members to do it themselves. Also, not everyone in the household cannot be assumed to have the same Operating System - some can choose Mac while others use Windows. This year, the online InstallTurboTax.com site is incorrectly mapping the license code to either Windows or Mac Operating System instead of allowing both options. It makes no sense that you allow the installation on 5 computers but all 5 have to be Windows or Mac machine but cannot be a mix of both. As an example, if I purchase a family subscription of Microsoft Office of 6 subscriptions - I can use that Office license on both Mac and Windows machines as long as it is a total of 6. It does not force me to use 6 Windows or 6 Mac machines.  Similar to the Microsoft Office, the TurboTax license code should enforce and limit to only 5 installations, but should not limit to ONLY WINDOWS or ONLY MAC.

While the agent agreed with all my points, they did not have any tools to help me get what I paid for. I hate to say this but TurboTax is slowly turning into Comcast/Xfinity monopoly that does not care about its own paying customers. [TurboTax - Prove me wrong on this one and I will happily eat my words.]

To be clear, a lot of the members including me did not have this issue last year. I can see both Mac and Windows download options in my Downloads list.  I believe a lot of the folks that do their own taxes using TurboTax are smart and computer savvy enough. It is the TurboTax rules that are getting dumber each year and coming up with weird restrictions that are either not stated upfront or are silly bugs that they refuse to acknowledge and fix.  

To save my own sanity, I spent an extra $50 to buy an external CD/DVD drive that connects to Mac and simply do what the desktop version was intended to do.  

[nmughal]

I'm having the same issue. I've been on the phone with Turbotax's customer service and they're telling me that the software is either for Mac or Windows. I pointed out that the software says Windows AND Mac. She told me that they are both different operating systems. I explained that I knew that but that their end user agreement states the software can be used on 5 different computers and no where does it state that the OS has to be the same for all 5 computers. I even pointed out all of the years that I've been able to download both versions. She said that there is no way to push through the download because they would be giving the product to me for free since it cannot be tied to my license. This is false advertisement and is incredibly frustrating. I'm filing a BBB complaint and will be asking for a refund since the product does not meet my needs. 

[Critter-3]

See the post from CAW4 on page 8 of this thread for a comprehensive workaround for this issue:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/re-can-i-install-turbotax-cd-on-both-pc-and-mac-f...

[fengfang]

That method didn't work for me. See my post above. I used the same valid license code to download a Windows version but when I tried to use the code for a Mac download it said there is an error.

[VolvoGirl]

If you used the CD you might be able to use the CD for Mac.

You can get an inexpensive external drive or maybe borrow one. People are having luck installing the same CD on both Windows and Mac. It doesn't work to install on the same OS but works to install on a different OS. And the new thing is if you first install from the CD you can't use the download (except for calling in).

If you can't install from the CD to Mac  you will need to call in and get the Mac Download put in your account and a new License Code.  But a lot of the phone support won't do that.  You have to try to get someone who knows they can give it to you.

[rahulpandit]

>>If you can't install from the CD to Mac  you will need to call in and get the Mac Download put in your >>account and a new License Code.  But a lot of the phone support won't do that.  You have to try to get     >> someone who knows they can give it to you.

@VolvoGirl  - I appreciate the community help so far, but unfortunately that sentiment or response from the TurboTax customer support is underwhelming to say the least (more like utter disappointing). 

What does it mean by try to get someone who knows they can give it to you. Do I randomly keep calling TurboTax till I bump into that one Nirvana Customer agent?  If so many customers are complaining, why cannot the ONLY form of recommended TurboTax (which is phone) support can't do that. Not surprisingly, when I called TurboTax, the customer agents seems to be hearing this for the first time, and when I share these threads - they acknowledge it, and agree to the ability to use 5 licenses on 5 computers but also mention they cannot do anything about this illogical Mac/Windows issue. The limitation should be imposed on the use of maximum 5 licenses and not on the Operating System.  They should learn from all the other companies that have license code (like family MS Office subscription) that you can use on any combination of computers upto the max allowed.

This sort of entitlement to increasing product prices without providing proper support is causing TurboTax to turn into COMCAST like monopolistic company that charges what it wants but does not provide what they charged customer for. I dare TurboTax to solve it for all the customers that have genuinely complained about this issue on their own forums and I will eat my words. 

[nmughal]

This method didn’t work for me either. What did work for me was filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I received a phone call from the Intuit Office of the President. I was connected with a Sr. Specialist from the Office of the President who was able to push the windows download to my account in less than 5 minutes. I let her know that this is an issue numerous people are having and asked if their policy has changed. She said Intuit policy is that if a customer purchased the program from a licensed vendor, then Intuit will provide them with downloads for both operating systems. If you purchase directly through Intuit, this isn’t an issue. It’s only if you purchase the product from a third party provider. 

[SForrestLO]

No, you won't be able to. The downloads are specific to either Mac or Windows. You are allowed to install/download the software to any five computers that you own, but if you download to two different operating systems you will need help from customer support.
 

For further assistance, please contact support. 
This FAQ will provide you with the steps to contact an agent. 
Customer support is available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific time daily.

[nmughal]

The issue is that customer service has told the majority of us that they cannot provide us with a download for both operating systems and that if we want to use it on two different operating systems we need to purchase the software twice. Calling customer service does not help and that’s what we are all expressing here. 

[SForrestLO]

You will have to purchase the program for the other operating system since they are specific to Mac or Windows.  Support can assist with that. 

@nmughal

[BILLWMF]

HAVING SAME PROBLEM,  WHEN TRYING TO DOWNLOAD ON 2ND COMPUTER, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE 5 FREE DOWNLOADS, IT TELLS ME I CANT AS I HAVE ALREADY DOWNLOADED.  KINDA SUCKS

[nmughal]

If I have bought software that says I can use it on 5 different computers and the software box says it can be used on Windows AND Mac, then please explain why I can only use it one operating system. Your end user agreement doesn’t state anything about only using the software on one operating system. Why do I need to purchase a second software when I can use one software for 5 computers and your software box says it can be used on Windows and Mac? 

[JLauver]

You are 100% correct.