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Level 2
posted Nov 21, 2021 1:35:36 AM

Turbotax 2021 Will Not Open

I purchased Turbotax Premier 2021 e download from Costco.  MacOS Big Sur 13.6, newer Macbook pro.  Installed the software fine first use, logged in, started return and saved progress.  I went in this morning to try to open the program and work on it again and it will not open.  Double-click on icon, goes to pop up where the program tries to do its update and then just closes.  I have deleted it, reinstalled it, restarted my laptop, same behavior.  I had this same exact issue with Turbotax last year, which support was not able to address.  I gave it a chance this year thinking surely they had figured this out by now.  I am a loyal Turbotax user.  I really do not want to go to a different program; however, I cannot go through this every tax season! 

1 82 8294
24 Replies
Level 8
Nov 21, 2021 4:31:13 AM

Most users have no problems with buying TurboTax from Costco or other retailers.  Your computer does not seem to work with the Costco download.

Since your purchase from Costco is not working on your computer, I would recommend that you purchase your program directly from Intuit.  Use this link to request a refund for your Costco purchase.  How do I get a refund for a TurboTax product? (intuit.ca)

Purchase your TurboTax from Intuit at this link.  TurboTax® 2020-2021 Online Tax Software, Easily e-File Income Taxes Online (intuit.com)

Level 15
Nov 21, 2021 5:19:34 AM

Since you cannot get a refund of the product bought at Costco from Intuit  call support again and see if they will send you a new download  or if they have any other insights on this issue since last year.

 

 

 

 

@macuser_22   any ideas ? 

 

 

Level 15
Nov 21, 2021 7:40:03 AM

Deleting the TurboTax app is NOT uninstalling. 

 

Corruption could have occurred in the Application or in an associated preference or support file.

The best remedy is to totally uninstall TurboTax and all associate files and then re-install. That will not delete or change any .tax2020 data file that had already been created with the tax data.

To uninstall the application and all associated files need to be deleted and then the application reinstalled. If there was a state then the state must also be reinstalled.

To remove TurboTax from your computer, you'll need administrative rights.

Here is a FAQ for how to uninstall Mac
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901210-remove-uninstall-turbotax-for-mac

=============

If it will not open at all:if you get the message "TurboTax cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software" then that is caused by the Apple "Gatekeeper" introduced with OS X 10.15 (Catalina).

That has nothing to do with TurboTax and will happen for any application not purchased from the Apple Store.

See this Apple article on this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491

And this TurboTax help article: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/troubleshooting/help/turbotax-for-mac-won-t-open-when-installed/00/26611

For older Mac systems when TurboTax will not open.
See:

Be sure that System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> General -> Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers is checked.

Go to the Applications folder and select the TurboTax application in the Finder and right click with the mouse (or control click) ans select the top "open". That should force the first open. After that it should open normally.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899267-administrator-rights-mac


 

 

 

 

New Member
Jan 14, 2022 7:30:07 PM

I cannot get my Turbotax to work.  I download it open it and it disappears.  Also, when I had it open when I tried to enter info from my Defens Finance and Accounting Service Form 1099-R it kept trying to send me to a bank and would not accept the entry for the DFAS 1099-R.

 

I bought my  Turbotax at Costco and downloaded from internet.  I have used Turbotax for filing for the past 3 years.  Please give me a call at [phone number removed] and help me with this screwed latest edition of Turbotax.

 

Sincerely,

 

Phil S.

Level 15
Jan 15, 2022 6:10:09 AM

Ok ... stop trying to import a form that cannot be imported ... return to the 1099-R section and then choose to "type it in myself" at the bottom of the second screen. 

 

 

 

Level 15
Jan 15, 2022 6:12:44 AM

As far as the program not staying open ... run a program update  and  do not run any other programs at the same time ... it is a bit of a memory hog.  Also if you are on a WIN system please make sure the recent updates are installed ... reboot the computer at least twice to make sure they get installed after the download. 

New Member
Jan 22, 2022 5:05:23 PM

I've installed Turbotax 2021 and used it a few weeks ago.  Went to use it again to load more info but it will not even open.  Uninstall and then reinstall?

 

Rudi

Intuit Alumni
Jan 23, 2022 7:24:34 AM

Some of these issues are quite common as the tax season rolls around. I have provided a couple of troubleshooting links below that may be of assistance. I hope one of these, if not both are helpful:

 

Troubleshoot installation and running TurboTax for Windows

 

Manually Update TurboTax for Windows Software (Basic, Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business)

 

If you find you need additional assistance, I would suggest reaching out to TurboTax customer support.

 

@Hawkensen01

 

 

Level 2
Jan 27, 2022 2:56:09 PM

Costco download for TurboTax Premier 2021 does not work.  Amazon CD for TurboTax Premier 2021 does not work.  Download from Intuit  - TurboTax Premier 2021does not work.  Mac OS is Catalina 10.15 - same error every time.  Application transfers or appears to transfer, Clicking on TurboTax 2021- "Application Not responding".  Security is correctly set to allow downloads. 

Intuit Alumni
Jan 28, 2022 7:58:56 AM

Please see the TurboTax help article TurboTax for Mac won't open when installed for assistance. 

If you continue to have issues with your software, please reach out to Customer Support.

What is the TurboTax phone number?

@mcconnellrebecca

Level 2
Jan 28, 2022 8:12:20 AM

I had already tried those fixes before I reported the issue.  It still does not work.

Intuit Alumni
Jan 28, 2022 8:25:04 AM

Please take a look at this thread for possible tips to try @mcconnellrebecca .

Level 2
Jan 28, 2022 12:19:09 PM

Read through the entire thread, but it's a fix for Windows platform not MAC OS

Intuit Alumni
Jan 28, 2022 12:39:21 PM

Here is a thread dedicated to Mac OS and Catalina 10.15.3. Use this link here to contact Customer Support if you need further assistance. 

 

@mcconnellrebecca

New Member
Feb 7, 2022 2:24:28 PM

I purchased Turbo Tax from Amazon. The program is on my computer but I can't open it. I did not have this problem last year?

Intuit Alumni
Feb 7, 2022 3:10:35 PM

If you tried the resolutions listed above and still are experiencing the same problem, please contact support.

This FAQ will provide you with the steps to contact an agent.
Customer Support

 

@helpme1944

Level 2
Feb 9, 2022 8:45:27 AM

Was trying to install TurboTax 2021 Premier on Mac OS 10.15 - supposedly a supported platform.  I tried all the fixes, disabling my virus protection, opening firewall etc.  Also tried from a CD as well as downloads.  Finally gave up and tried H&R Block - this also did not work, almost same results.  Got a refund on that and downloaded TurboTax Premier 2021 to our Dell laptop/Windows 10 and it appears to work fine.  Was able to move my Mac TurboTax returns over to the Dell and all info was captured for this year's return.  This is obviously a problem with Mac OS Catalina 10.15.  I opened a problem with the Mac Community forum, but will probably not open a ticket with Apple as I've burned enough hours fooling with this anyway.  Thanks.

Level 15
Feb 9, 2022 8:59:06 AM


@mcconnellrebecca wrote:

Was trying to install TurboTax 2021 Premier on Mac OS 10.15 - supposedly a supported platform.  I tried all the fixes, disabling my virus protection, opening firewall etc.  Also tried from a CD as well as downloads.  Finally gave up and tried H&R Block - this also did not work, almost same results.  Got a refund on that and downloaded TurboTax Premier 2021 to our Dell laptop/Windows 10 and it appears to work fine.  Was able to move my Mac TurboTax returns over to the Dell and all info was captured for this year's return.  This is obviously a problem with Mac OS Catalina 10.15.  I opened a problem with the Mac Community forum, but will probably not open a ticket with Apple as I've burned enough hours fooling with this anyway.  Thanks.


Did you do this?

 

If you get the message "TurboTax cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software" then that is caused by the Apple "Gatekeeper" introduced with OS X 10.15 (Catalina).

That has nothing to do with TurboTax and will happen for any application not purchased from the Apple Store.

See this Apple article on this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491

And this TurboTax help article: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/troubleshooting/help/turbotax-for-mac-won-t-open-when-installed/00/26611

For older Mac systems when TurboTax will not open.
See:

Be sure that System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> General -> Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers is checked.

Go to the Applications folder and select the TurboTax application in the Finder and right click with the mouse (or control click) ans select the top "open". That should force the first open. After that it should open normally.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899267-administrator-rights-mac


Level 2
Feb 9, 2022 9:14:21 AM

Yes - I tried all of the solutions before I opened a problem with TurboTax.  I'm not a beginner to PCs or Macs - with over 40 years as an applications programmer, systems analyst and Oracle/IDMS DBA.  I'm proficient with handling technical computer issues.  I'm done with this anyway, as I have it working on my DELL

Level 15
Feb 9, 2022 9:59:08 AM


@mcconnellrebecca wrote:

Yes - I tried all of the solutions before I opened a problem with TurboTax.  I'm not a beginner to PCs or Macs - with over 40 years as an applications programmer, systems analyst and Oracle/IDMS DBA.  I'm proficient with handling technical computer issues.  I'm done with this anyway, as I have it working on my DELL


Try a total uninstall of all associated files and reinstall with a fresh download.

Here is a FAQ for how to uninstall Mac
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901210-remove-uninstall-turbotax-for-mac

 

 

As a last resort, try running under a different user account with administrator privileges ro create one.   If that works then there is probably a problem in the fist user account.

 

 

New Member
Feb 13, 2022 4:58:23 AM

I have used Turbotax for about 20 years. It has always loaded up in about 2 min. I've spent over 2 hours and nothing works. 

Intuit Alumni
Feb 13, 2022 7:06:04 AM

May I ask what version of TurboTax are you having issues with? Is it TurboTax Online or a download version?

 

@hondo1951

Level 1
Mar 1, 2022 6:56:47 PM

i have turbotax 2021 premier for Mac.  same problem.was able to open initially but now I can not open it. Application tries but fails.  No error messages. 

Level 1
Mar 1, 2022 6:58:43 PM

it is downloaded version. Bought it at Costco. Contacted customer service multiple times but Intuit can not solve the problem. Have used turbotax for ever.