License Code Multiple Request by TT 2019 Desktop App

[Lori2020]

@fg2001gf

This software bug requesting license/activation code every time Intuit Turbo Tax (TT) program is opened is caused by the software looking for a device that was plugged into the USB drive when TT program was initially downloaded. This problem existed all of last year for 2019 tax return preparation. TT never fixed it even though federal/state deadlines were extended to July 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic. Instead of fixing software error and sending customers a new link to download corrected software, TT did nothing. Worse, they accused customers of using a pirated version. For them to still not fix it for a second year is unconscionable. TT is clearly hoping that customers are too lazy to type in all of their information in a new tax filing program. I have used TT for more than ten years to prepare my tax returns, but they will get no more $ from me, ever.

[TiffanyL]

Please see the TurboTax support FAQ posted below for possible solutions to this problem. If you still have a problem with the license code then we suggest you contact TurboTax support for assistance.

TurboTax 2019 and TurboTax 2020 requests license activation at every launch

[Thad]

Just to cover another possibility: could there have been a USB device that WAS connected on previous activation that is now NOT connected? I wonder if that could trigger another one of these (unacceptable) bugs.

[fg2001gf]

@TiffanyL ,

Those canned answers about the activation problems are just a bunch of B.S.

Intuit needs to fix this bug properly, I had to waste another activation to get back and use the program.

This is simply a fraudulent activation method.

Get the **bleep** bug fixed !!!!!😝

[fg2001gf]

Thad wrote:

"Just to cover another possibility: could there have been a USB device that WAS connected on previous activation that is now NOT connected? I wonder if that could trigger another one of these (unacceptable) bugs."

Hi Thad, 

This is not the case, there was no USB device connected and there isn't one now.  This is simply another case showing up the problem.  This machine worked fine for over a month and all of a sudden it is asking for activation again. Why don't they just keep track of the machine S/N like all serious digital licensing systems do. 

This is the craziest activation system I have ever seen, eventually I will run out of activation attempts again !😭.

[fg2001gf]

@Lori2020,

This was not a downloaded TurboTax, it was purchased on Amazon and came with a CD and it was installed from an Internal DVD drive not from a USB device. It activated just fine and worked for a while.

Why are they even looking and the devices connected on USB ?  Those have nothing to do with the activation codes.  When a computer is activated they should just keep track of the S/N of the computer in their data base and know that it was already activated and has a digital license associated with it.

It is not rocket science !

[PMH54]

@fg2001gf

1-30-2021; Just an additional observation.

Is it possible that the internal DVD drive is also confusing the activation software? For 2019 I finally downloaded the app directly to my hard drive and installed it from there. Many of the previous issues cleared up after doing it this way. Other than the USB junk. For 2020 I used the download installation method, rather than using the internal DVD, and I have not (cross my fingers) had any issues to date. Other than the USB junk again.

I'm surprised that the techie media hasn't picked up on this issue and elevated it to national attention. Doing so certainly got results in 2014 when everyone abandoned the TTx ship and went to H&R Block, Taxact, etc.  It is unconscionable for TTx not to have fixed these MAJOR bugs by now. And then TTx has the gall to put out guidance that points the problem to being the fault of the user, rather than it being TTx's!!

Come on Intuit. Get your act together!!!

[Lori2020]

@fg2001gf  I agree it is not rocket science, they just keep track of the serial number to know it is a licensed product. It worked for years prior to 2019, so go back to same verification system used for 2018 filing system. Easy to do, but clearly Intuit does not care about customer service. Last year, for 2019 tax return, I bought Turbo Tax and downloaded it directly from the website, not via CD/DVD, and still had the same issue. Yesterday I tweeted to @TurboTax @TeamTurboTax and Intuit/Turbo Tax CEO @sasan_goodarzi about the problem and got a response via DM from custoemr service promising to help me, but then blamed it on my internet connection, just as they did last year. I encourage everyone having this problem to go on Twitter or other social media and make yourselves heard - public shaming and a drop in sales is the only way to get Intuit/Turbo Tax to fix this. 

[barvell704]

i have been trying to transfer my 2019 tax return to 2020 turbo tax and asks for license code which i do not have.  how to solve this problem?

[noftsierb]

this is such bull puckey.   Same stupid issue in 2020 and same bogus "too many activations" crap trying to open up the 2019 copy that i had to buy twice.   No wonder people pirate software.

[Lori2020]

UPDATE: FYI I have been in contact with Fernando from the Office of the President of Turbo Tax who promised to help me resolve this problem for myself and many other customers. He agreed that the licensing protocol should not be impacted by peripheral devices plugged into USB ports. He sent me a free copy of 2020 Turbo Tax (TT) because I refused to buy it until they fixed this licensing/activation issue. I was able to duplicate the problem by downloading TT in Windows 10 on my laptop with a flash drive plugged into the USB port. I then unplugged the flash drive, updated 2020 TT, and then closed TT. When I opened TT it immediately asked for my product key as if I had never activated the software. EXACT same issue as 2019 (and one I never in prior years so TT knows how to correctly check for valid license). On Feb 2, 2021, I emailed Fernando at [email address removed] with a link to this discussion string about the problem. On Feb 10, 2021, I informed him via email that I was able to replicate the problem and asked him to call me ASAP to solve it. I have not heard back from him yet. If I make any progress I will update everyone here. 

[Dell795]

Thanks @Lori2020 for pushing TT on this.  I've been contemplating recording a video to send to the TT/Intuit President and other executives showing how on my computer, I can run TT without problems (having previously activated it), then close TT, insert a USB thumb drive, and when I reopen TT it requires activation (which I know NOT to do),  then close TT again, remove USB thumb drive, reopen TT and TT goes into my return (does not require activation)...and showing that the same things happen when instead of a USB thumb drive I use a USB card reader without any cards inserted in it.

[Lori2020]

@Dell795Here is the update I received today from TT customer service rep Fernando after I informed him that my 2020 TT version was having the exact same problem, looking for a flash drive I had unplugged that was previously in a USB port when I downloaded TT:

I have communicated with our Product Development team on this matter and it is still being investigated.  Currently, I am awaiting for an update on when this issue is going to be fully resolved.  I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and rest assured that we will find a fix for this issue.

[ACarion]

I appreciate the suggestions for this problem. However, I have unplugged my modem multiple times and have not been able to re-launch TT. After the last try, TT won't try to launch. I don't know how to suspend my McAfee. This is the third day of working on this problem and I am seriously disgusted.

[MichelleLO]

Please reach out to TurboTax Customer Support as your issue would be best resolved with one-on-one support. Please visit the Contact Us page and select your product to get you to the right person.

@acarlon