Minimum system requirements for TurboTax Mac software

Not for 2019.  That message you received, if you read it carefully, is telling you that NEXT year when the 2020 software is released, it will require Mac OSX 10.14 (Mojave) or higher.  2019 requires High Sierra (10.13) or higher.

The message is just to alert you that to use TurboTax NEXT year it will require that you upgrade so you have a year to do so.

Hello.  I just bought turbo tax from Costco and tried to install.. The install went fine, but I am running into issues with the updates.  I have done them 3 times and I can see the progress bar each time complete.  It then has a button for continue...  Each time, it doesn't do anything.   I have to re-launch and it indicates that I ned to update.  ..   It's a loop.  Please help..  Thank you in advance for your help..Chris

I am running High Sierra 10.13.6..  my machine is late 2009

If you want to make sure you're up-to-date, quit and reopen TurboTax. If you're not on the latest release, the program will automatically download it.

Other Options

If the steps above don't work, you can force a download of the most recent update. This applies to TurboTax for Mac installed from a CD or download and for the TurboTax app available in iTunes.

1. With TurboTax open, select the TurboTax
2. On your keyboard, hold down the Optionkey.
3. This will change the Check for Updates menu option to Download Latest Updates...
4. Selecting this option will force the most recent update for TurboTax to download and install.

I do not want to purchase a new computer. Will Turbotax do anything to fix the problem? I have been using Turbotax for about 13 years I would hate to change now.

Notice that Turbotax will not run on older Macs in 2021, must have OS Mojave which is not available for my iMac 2010 model.   I do not want to purchase a new computer. Will Turbotax do anything to fix the problem? I have been using Turbotax for about 13 years I would hate to change now.

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@Louten1 wrote:

Will Turbotax do anything to fix the problem?

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No.   Because it is beyond TurboTax's control.   It is Apple that is dropping support for older than 3 year OS's from the Apple Developer Tools that are necessary to compile new  software that is compatible to the latest Apple release. 

You can continue to use the ONLINE version of TT if your computer no longer supports the downloaded version.

I also have a late 2009 21.5" iMac. So as I understand it in 2021 I can use Turbotax online. Is that correct? I certainly don't plan to get a new computer when this one works perfectly well.

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@motomanic wrote:

I also have a late 2009 21.5" iMac. So as I understand it in 2021 I can use Turbotax online. Is that correct? I certainly don't plan to get a new computer when this one works perfectly well.

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Correct as long as you have a compatible browser.  Online is a web based system an noting is installed on your computer.   But note that the online version is different from the  desktop version - it is only good for ONE tax return and there is no forms mode.

What do you mean only one return? Do you mean one return and then the following year you can't use it again? 

Also what do you mean there is no forms mode. I only need to fill out a 1040-SR for my wife and I 

TurboTax Online and the TurboTax CD/Download products are very similar and both cover most tax situations. The majority of our customers choose TurboTax Online to confidently file their taxes.

Here are the big differences between the two:

1. If you file online, we store all of your information on our secure servers. If you use the CD/Download, you need to save and store your own tax return.
2. With TurboTax Online, you can work on your taxes from any computer or mobile device with Internet access. With the CD/Download, you install TurboTax on your computer and you can do your taxes without the Internet.
3. The CD/Download product is a better overall value for people who prepare tax returns for their friends and family. It allows you to prepare and print unlimited federal returns and e-file up to five at no extra cost.  Each return using the  Online version requires a separate account with a separate UserID although you can use the same email address for up to 5 returns.  Unless the return qualifies for one of the FREE versions a separate fee is charged for each account.

In the regular Turbo Tax Free Edition, information that you can enter is limited now.  Why do I have to upgrade from the Free Edition....

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrading/help/why-do-i-have-to-upgrade-from-free-edition/00/26379

OR

There is also The Turbo Tax Free File program which is free for federal and state.  And has more forms than the Federal Free Edition, like Schedules A, B, C , D, E, F, EIC, H, K-1, SE,  etc.

NOTE:  You will have to log out of your regular Turbo Tax Account and setup a new account with a new username and new password or it will take you back to regular Turbo Tax.

To qualify for the Free File website  you just need to meet one of these 3 things

AGI $36,000 or less

Active duty military with AGI of $69,000 or less

OR qualify for EIC (earned income credit.)

In order to use the Free File program, you have to start it at a special website.  Click on the Orange button I Qualify, Let's get Started and set up a NEW account

https://freefile.intuit.com/

You can upgrade unsupported macs to the os of your choice at your own risk.

Google

upgrade unsupported mac

If High Sierra works then I should be ok.  But will that change for next year?

Mojave is the minimum requirement for 2020.