TurboTax requires Activation every time that I start the program. I have only 2 left !!

[YT76]

Hi. I installed TurboTax Deluxe 2024 (Windows PC) about a month ago. Now I went to use it again and the program asked me to activate it again, which I did. Then it showed that I have used 2 of 5 activations. Then I loaded my TurboTax Deluxe 2023 tax return in order to look at what I filed last year and it shows that I used 3 of 5 activations. I am scared to load the program again as I have only 2 activations left. What can I do? I tried chatting with support but all I get in an AI robot. I cannot leave a phone number because I am abroad and the TurboTax system does not register foreign phone numbers. I also cannot call TurboTax support because waiting on hold for an hour will cost me a fortune. Any help would be much appreciated.

[XAM330]

Google search (Turbotax keeps asking me to activate every time I open it) This was what I put in the search.
There seems to be many for this problem. Hope it helps.

Here are a few links to some of the answers that came up. If none help you then try the google search above for more links. I hope the links here work since Turbo is claiming invalid and removed. If they do not work just do the google search above.

1 How can I fix TurboTax requesting license activation on every launch?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/install-products/turbotax-2019-turbotax-...

2  TurboTax 2023 keeps asking for Activation Code

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/turbotax-[product key removed]g-for-activation-co...

3  Error code 603: All the available activation for that code has been used
This error means the product has reached its activation limit, so you'll have to buy a new product.

If you're asked to enter your license activation every time you launch Turbo Tax, these instructions can help fix the issue.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-product-orders/error-code-603-ava...

[XAM330]

I checked my post and the links worked. But I am in the U.S. so hope they work wherever you are.🙂

[YT76]

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it!

Yes, I already tried Google and ChatGPT before I posted to the community. I tried the suggestions to no avail.

The only thing that got my attention was that some people commented about having USB devices plugged in.

One of the internal drives in my PC started dying a couple of weeks ago. This is just an additional storage drive and not the drive where TurboTax is installed. I replaced the bad drive about a week ago. Could this change have effected the activation somehow? The new drive was assigned the same drive letter as the bad drive that it replaced.

Anyway, TurboTax continues to ask for activation every time it is opened. This 2024 edition as well as the 2023 edition. I only have 2 tries left so I am afraid to use them up before I can get my taxes done.

[XAM330]

If it where not the fact that so many seem to have this problem I thought it might be that you are in a different country or time zone. I was trying to log on to a bank after being in a different time zone and I could not do it until I noticed my clock was wrong. When I changed the clock I was able to log on....... Go figure that one. I had a problem many years ago and just turned off the antivirus and fixed a issue. This year 2024 was the first time I did not get a disc from TT and had to follow the same as you but I don't recall anything being a problem, The only difference was I had to log on to the TT website before it would work. Apparently this was the first year that if you want the disc you have to buy it separately. I think TT needs to have a support page where you can post directly to tech people and get answers and notification of problems and corrections. Wish I could help more.

[YT76]

Hi, I didn't think of the time zone aspect but TurboTax has many overseas users... expats, military people, and many that simply live and work abroad. I haven't had issues with any other software or financial websites.

I've been using the digital download version (from Amazon) for several years now with no issue, but 2024 is the first year that I've experienced these activation issues. What's strange is that when I open the 2023 edition it counts this an an additional activation as well.

As I only have 2 activations left, I guess that my only option is to use one to open 2023 and take a few snapshots of the forms that I used and then use my last activation to open 2024 and fill my forms in one shot with no breaks. And then I'll never be able to open the file in the future.

For a company that employs over 18,000 people across 8 countries I'd expect Intuit to offer some official tech support and not just rely on their silly "AI" chat robot and the goodhearted people in the community. Even their website is complicated. It took me a long time and a few Google searches just to be able to find the fake "help chat" and to figure out how to post a question in this community. 

Perhaps next year I'll look into tax software from another company.

Thanks again for your time and willingness to help.

[mesquitebean]

@YT76 

Yes, any little change in configuration will require a new activation.  I know it's nuts.   For some people even having a USB drive plugged in can trigger it, or if a USB was present when it was installed, but is no longer present, that can trigger it, too.

If you run out of activations, another way to reach TurboTax Support from overseas is if you have social media, you can direct message a TurboTax support agent at X/Twitter or Facebook.

Direct message a Support agent:

https://x.com/TeamTurboTax

or
https://www.facebook.com/turbotax

[YT76]

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it a lot!

That's so crazy that they capture so much information about our computers. Isn't the CPU serial number or some other aspect enough? 

What I don't understand is why it keeps using an additional activation every time that I start the program, after I already used an activation following the internal data hard drive swap. And why does it count activations in the 2024 edition when I open the 2023 edition?

Thanks a lot for the links as well. I didn't know that they can be contacted via FB.

[mesquitebean]

@ YT76  wrote:   "As I only have 2 activations left, I guess that my only option is to use one to open 2023 and take a few snapshots of the forms that I used"

You don't have to launch the 2023 program every time you want to look at 2023 forms, and you don't have to make screenshots.   The next time you have the 2023 program open, make a PDF that includes the return and all worksheets.   Then you can look at that 2023 PDF any time you want, or even print from it, without having to launch 2023 TurboTax.

To make the PDF, launch and open the 2023 return.   Once the return is open, in the top left corner of the TurboTax interface, in the TurboTax menubar, click on FILE, then in the dropdown menu choose  "Save to PDF."   Then a dialog box will pop up.   Choose  "Forms for your records: Tax Return and all calculation worksheets."  Then click the blue button "Save as PDF."

Every year I usually make 2 PDFs so I can view them at will without the program.  I make one PDF of the return "as filed", and another PDF with the return and all calculation worksheets.   This is especially important for archival purposes since after 3 tax years, the TurboTax program supposedly will no longer activate.

NOTE:  Remember all PDF tax documents and tax data files are very sensitive files, since they contain your personal ID info, financial data, and possibly bank account numbers, etc.  Be sure to store them safely and securely to guard against computer theft, hacking, etc.

[mesquitebean]

@ YT76  wrote:  "What I don't understand is why it keeps using an additional activation every time that I start the program, after I already used an activation following the internal data hard drive swap. And why does it count activations in the 2024 edition when I open the 2023 edition?"

I can't explain that.    But just thinking out loud:  Are you opening the 2023 program at the same time the 2024 program is open?  If so, perhaps that is somehow confusing TurboTax on the activations.

[YT76]

Hi, no. It does not allow you to open both programs at the same time. You must close 2024 in order to open 2023.

[YT76]

Thanks, these are very good tips!

I actually save all the PDF options when I file every year, so I have that.

I like to open the previous year's program because in the Forms View it lists all the forms on the left side. So I like to use this as an easy checklist for the current year. Just to make sure that all the forms this year align with the previous year's forms.

[XAM330]

Good advice from mesquitebean

A lot of the information will transfer to your 2024 from your 2023 .tax file if it is on the comp when you open it and it will ask if you still need these? If you have the 2023 PDF you can compare without opening the TT for 2023 and have 2024 open and just switch screen. As mesquitebean said those files have sensitive info and should be encrypted and kept on a usb drive and only used when you need them. I was going to send this old post of mine but got tied up yesterday. It is similar to what mesquitebean said. As you said you may just have to do all at one time so as not running out of activation code use. If you can just DO NOT close the TT and you should not have to need a code again since it will still be open. And if you do get done you should still continue to try and find out from TT what has been happening. Make sure to make PDF copies of ALL the forms selections that are listed at the end not just the filing but all of them so you can look at them whenever you want without TT. Here is the Text and the link to my previous post on saving files.

XAM330

Level 3

mdcommuter

This is a bit late but here is something to try for years to come.

If you opened the file you sent and then saved the new updated file I do not believe you can go back. I can say this though as far as how I have handled my TT for years as a way to prevent this from happening. When doing your taxes there will always be updates and this year was a real doozy. Make a FOLDER for your taxes (I use 2020 SENT) and this will be the tax files that you send in and all files such as the .PDF of your forms. Anytime you would like to see if there might be an update that you think will change your status do this. Go to your (FOLDER SENT) and make a copy of the original file xxxxxxxx.tax and place it (paste) somewhere else (I create another FOLDER such as UPDATES 2020 for this) and rename it by adding the update and date (xxxxxxxxxxxUPDATE APRIL xx 2020.tax) and then double click on it or open TT and find that file on the list and open it. TT will update every time you open it and are connected to the Internet unless you tell it not to. Once the copied file is opened it will be updated automatically and you will see any changes and when you close it you can save it as is. DO NOT open the original xxxx.tax file again unless you are sure that you will REMEMBER to select NOT TO SAVE THE FILE WHEN YOU CLOSE IT. You should always save copies of the xxx.tax files and always save the .PDF of the file that you can print making sure to select to copy/print all forms and worksheets NOT just to send but ALL FORMS. Keep these on a USB or other drive as backups to the ones on your computer. If you make a copy after you input all tax data you should make a copy that you can use to do any changes to see how they affect your taxes before or after you send them in.

One other thing that you could do is if you have the disc for TT you could install on another comp and NOT let it update then input all your info and see how close it is. This will not have the $10,200.credit but may also not have other updates that you need for the time of your filing.

I had the same thing happen this year after sending taxes in and waited for the update to TT. After the update, I did as described above and now I know what I should get back. I just received my refund but it was only for the amount + interest and of the original return (my state does not tax unemployment so there was no change to state refund) so I am here looking to see if I can get a idea of when I may get the rest and the letter from the IRS. Well at least I don’t have to wait till August to get my refund like last year although it might take that long to get the $10,200.00 credit. Hope this helps.

‎June 16, 2021 10:41 AM

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-credits-deductions/discussion/covid-relief-bill-unemployment-t...

[XAM330]

Just one thing more. Make sure to copy and save the .Tax File with the .PDF files in the same place (USB, External drive etc). The .Tax is saved in the TT#(year) folder on your comp Probably in the Program Files (x86) on the C drive unless you save them somewhere else. The .Tax is the one that TT needs to open or get the previous years info from so keep a copy of it with the .PDF files in a safe place. I suggest encrypting them.

Good luck

[YT76]

Thanks for the great tips!

By the way, did you also experience activation issues?