Why can't I get turbotax to connect to the internet to activate my turbotax desktop. I have internet and already set up exceptions etc with my virus/firewall software?

[ramerlsr]

I spoke with TurboTax Tech Support several days ago for the second time. The Problem is they have not recognized they have a problem with customers not being able to activate their software with TutboTax. I advised them they need to review the complaints in the Community. Both my 2023 and the new one for 2024 do not work. as to"No Internet Connection". I also advised them that I have a macOS but the problem is appearing in both Window and Apple. She advised me that she was going to elevate this problem. I now have a Support ID to refer to but I am also going to speak with Apple Tech Support. Its been two days and I haven't heard back from TurboTax Support on my complaint. I read a Post from another dissatisfied customer also operating a macOS and he advised of a fix whereas he had to add a Dummy New User and it downloaded and activated with no problems. Weird!

[ehanson1]

I am having the same problem. I can't even get a human on the phone. At this point, Turbo Tax has lost my business. I will be returning the program to Costco and going with another online program. I have spent so much time tring to get onto TurboTax, my taxes could have been started fresh with another company. Done wasting time with Turbo Tax.

[jconolly]

To those of you who have posted to this thread since January 11th or 12th ... the TurboTax server problem causing the issue I posted about was fixed more than two weeks ago.  If you go through all three pages of posts since my original January 10th post, once you fix any issues with your firewall, virus software, or other tracking type software from blocking TurboTax access to activate your copy of 2024 TurboTax it should work just fine.  A number of folks have posted how they got their copy to run.

My copy has been working since 3 weeks ago after SteamTrain posted the explanation.  This isn't the only thread on the topic, others may have a better explanation of what to check on your computer/tablet etc. Settings to make it work.

Good Luck,

[mthomtech]

Unfortunately there are multiple issues.  While the server issue may have been resolved, there are definitely more issues with both MacOS and Windows version beyond the server and firewall issues.

With my MacOS issue, I delved into the logs and it appeared to be something with an invalid files possibly related to passwords for previous versions.  I had to install a fresh user on my Macbook in order to get TurboTax to pull up the activation screen and activate the software.  It still only works on that new dummy user, and will still not activate with my main user.  I read about that solution from a Windows user in another forum that was having the same issues.

In my back and forth with TurboTax, it is clear that they don't know what the issue is (and most likely think it is a user-specific issue), but it's definitely more widespread than they believe.  Just looking through reviews on Costco or Amazon will tell you that it's way more common than any issues from prior years.

I'll deal with my dummy user workaround until the issue is resolved (if ever), but given the rising software costs, and declining quality, it's something TurboTax really needs to pay attention to.

[ramerlsr]

TurboTax Tech Support does not have a clue on this problem and is not aware of the magnitude of the problem. 

[can not download t4 from cra]

Hi Admin, I buy turbotax from costco and download and install on my laptop.

Why is Turbo tax not asking me to connect to CRA to import my T4, T4E,T2A, CR210?

[DoninGA]

@can not download t4 from cra This is the TurboTax US user community website.
Go to this TurboTax Canada website for assistance with a Canadian tax return or the TurboTax Canada editions - https://turbotax.community.intuit.ca/community/turbotax-support/help/03/en-ca

[jconolly]

Just to clarify, I am a 'regular' user/customer, not a TurboTax employee.

I scanned some of the subject lines of the many comments on other threads about software issues.  Many comments seem to be about TurboTax Deluxe. 

I am in the USA.  I have the TurboTax Deluxe version that you run on & save to your PC.

I run it on Windows 11 on a desktop PC.

I was required to download it this year, TT would not let me purchase a CD version.

I run and save my returns on my PC, I am not using the online version.

I had to list Turbo Tax in the exceptions list for my firewall, virus, potential threat list, etc.  ... all the places my virus/protection software allowed for exceptions. The application itself, launching, and other related programs.  After that it has worked fine once the TT server issues were resolved on Jan 11th or 12th.

Maybe there are other issues on different operating systems, or different protection software applications, or Internet service providers?

I am happy with Turbo Tax, I have used them for many years.  This was the first year I had to download the application software instead of installing from a CD copy.

[Pam M58]

I'm running windows 11 on a Dell laptop, and have not been able to activate Turbotax 2024 Premier downloaded version.  This summer I actually purchased 2 identical Dell laptops, one for me and the 2nd for another household member.  The frustrating part is that the product will not activate on my laptop, but will activate on theirs.  Kind of ridiculous.  It would be a huge inconvenience to them for me to do the taxes using their laptop, and I shouldn't have to.  The only difference between the 2 laptops is that I had to do a 'reset this PC' on mine shortly after purchasing it.  Currently, everything but TurboTax works.  And I had tried to install the 2023 product which also failed on activation.  So I've been comparing every single windows setting I can find between the 2 laptops to see what's different, and nothing is.  I had also spoken to TT support last fall when the 2023 install failed, with no success.  Just a shame, because the product worked well for me for several years before this.  My last attempt to reinstall/activate was around Jan 28th, so it was well after the Jan 10/11 server issue on the TT side that fixed the problem for some folks.  So if any of you ultimately come up with a solution, please post how you fixed this, and if I come up with a solution, I promise that I will do the same. 

[ramerlsr]

Numerous people attempting to use TurboTax have the same problem. So far TurboTax Tech Support have no fixes for this problem and their representatives are not aware of the connectivity issue. This has happened to both Windows and Apple macOS users. The only fix, without TurboTax help, is I can download and activate TurboTax Deluxe 2024 only if I add a “Dummy User” to my computer and have the Dummy download and activate TurboTax software. PS TurboTax does connect to the internet after downloading because it automatically updates TurboTax software but will not connect to the internet to activate your purchase of TurboTax. I have submitted a work order request with an ID but it’s been over a week with no response from TurboTax. When I spoke with Tech Support they were totally unaware of any problems with Activating TurboTax. I thinks it’s time to get a refund and try another tax prep software. 

[ramerlsr]

For those of you that create a dummy user on your computer it will not work under any other User name except the Dummy User you created.

[mthomtech]

That's the way it is for me on MacOS.  It will work on the dummy user, but still not on my main user.  I will say that the person that this worked for him on Windows, it did cure it for his regular user (once he activated on his dummy user).  But that wasn't the case for me.

[QuadDog]

I'm also unable to activate on my MAC for the second year in a row.  My solution last year was to run it on a  windows 10 VM using VMware fusion.  This year I had hopes to use my MAC OS but no luck.  I took a ticket out and customer service closed the ticket as resolved in spite of the fact that I said it is NOT resolved.  Now I am getting no response regarding the ticket.  I am again successful installing and activating on my virtual windows machine but I'm not happy.

[Pam M58]

I feel your pain, QuadDog...  I'm on Windows 11 Pro, and TurboTax Premier just won't access the internet to activate.  I tried the 2023 product a few months back, when I purchased this new computer to see if it would install, and that didn't install either.  TurboTax support was of no help then, nor were they this time.  The tech support person was pleasant but had no clue to the inner workings of Windows 11, nor did she direct me to someone else in the company who did. That points to a lack of proper training in my mind. I've worked with McAfee tech support, then Dell, then finally TurboTax and each time, the support people have tried things but not been able to help.  The TT support person closed my ticket without resolution as well, and claimed that there was only "1 other user" who had logged in an activation issue - there's no way that's true.  I think it's pretty telling that the support staff doesn't read the community pages, nor is there a way to write a google review.  I haven't decided what to do yet - I'm thinking I'll run TT on the other computer we own this year, but also purchase the H & R Block premier product and run that too.   If that one works well,  then I'll feel confident to make the permanent switch.   I can't think of anything else to try at this point.  If by some miracle I hear anything back from TT,  I'll let you know.  But clearly, this isn't just a Windows 11 problem, or just a MAC problem.  Since it's happening on multiple OS's, it's clearly a TT problem that they aren't interested in fixing. :(

[aieadavid]

Problem still not resolved. Turbo tax will not activate after install