Using a previous year TurboTax version on a new computer without paying for the State again

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
March 3, 2026
2 replies
248 views

It is March 2026. Last year I bought TurboTax Deluxe (Federal only) for TY2024, but then added a state from inside the software. (I can see the purchase in my TurboTax account.) I need to use it again, so installed it on a new computer. That was fine as I still had some activations left, and the installation went fine. However, when I try to double click my .tax2024 file from last year, there is an "Error 190", but it takes me to the State download page. When I choose my state, it wants me to pay for the state again. I am stuck being unable to open the file that I used on the same software last year.
Any help would be appreciated.

Download & Install

Best answer by MindyB

You don’t have to repurchase the state; you need to reinstall the same state program that was previously unlocked on your TY2024 Desktop.

Error 190 appears because the return references a state module that isn’t installed on the new computer. Once you install that exact TY2024 state, your .tax2024 file will open without charging again.

Fix (TurboTax Desktop 2024 on a new PC/Mac):

Don’t open by double‑clicking the .tax2024 file.
Launch TurboTax 2024 first.
Go to Online > Check for Updates until fully up to date.
Open your return via File > Open Tax Return, select your .tax2024.
When prompted to download your state, choose Download. If it shows a purchase screen:
- Sign in with the same Intuit account used for the original state purchase.
- Look for “Already purchased?” or “I have a license/code” link; the state should activate without an extra fee once authenticated.
If it still asks for payment:
- Close TurboTax. Reopen TurboTax 2024, go to State tab > Add a state > sign in, and let it fetch your paid state.
- If you bought a state download code from a retail box, re-enter that code.
- If you purchased in‑product last year, ensure you’re on the same edition (Deluxe 2024) and same account; switch accounts if needed, then retry the state download.

MindyBAnswer

Level 13

You don’t have to repurchase the state; you need to reinstall the same state program that was previously unlocked on your TY2024 Desktop.

Fix (TurboTax Desktop 2024 on a new PC/Mac):

Don’t open by double‑clicking the .tax2024 file.
Launch TurboTax 2024 first.
Go to Online > Check for Updates until fully up to date.
Open your return via File > Open Tax Return, select your .tax2024.
When prompted to download your state, choose Download. If it shows a purchase screen:
- Sign in with the same Intuit account used for the original state purchase.
- Look for “Already purchased?” or “I have a license/code” link; the state should activate without an extra fee once authenticated.
If it still asks for payment:
- Close TurboTax. Reopen TurboTax 2024, go to State tab > Add a state > sign in, and let it fetch your paid state.
- If you bought a state download code from a retail box, re-enter that code.
- If you purchased in‑product last year, ensure you’re on the same edition (Deluxe 2024) and same account; switch accounts if needed, then retry the state download.

EdInJapanAuthor

Level 2

Thank you for the reply. I ended up calling the helpline. As you stated, I needed the state installation file. My memory was that I got it inside TurboTax. But while my TurboTax account shows clearly that I paid to file the State return, it doesn’t have a record of me buying the State tax license.
The helpline person was understanding in that TurboTax wouldn’t have let me file the State unless I had the software, she added a State license to my account, and then I went in and checked for updates and it found the State and downloaded it.
Since the desktop version still requires an internet connection to activate, I will be more careful in making sure I have the installation files and updates files somewhere on my pc from now on.