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Question

Can I install TurboTax CD on both PC and Mac for only one license fee?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
June 7, 2019
11 replies
0 views

I am converting to Mac from a PC. Want to be able to run parallel on both Mac and PC for the first year to be certain everything OK since have been filing via PC version for past decade. Will only use software to prepare one person's tax return. Hope I don't have to pay for software twice.

TurboTax Premier Windows

bluedeb

Employee

Yes, you can install the software on your PC & Mac, the CD has both the Windows & Mac versions included. You can install the software on any computer you own. You will not have to pay for the software twice.

bluedeb

Employee

To add: You can prepare returns for family & friends as long as you don't charge them. The Desktop allows unlimited returns to be prepared, there is 5 Free Federal e-files, after that the returns would have to be mailed in.

arenganathan1951

can you send the instructions for installing it in both pc and mc for one license key. i am getting this error "This license code has already been associated with an account. Please check that account and look for it in Downloads."

CarissaM

If you are receiving that error, please contact customer support by clicking here. They can assist in allowing the download.

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Anita17

I was able to get both versions for MAC and Windows for prior years. However, when I called Turbo Tax Support this year, I was informed that I am not able to get both. Can someone please verify?

Vc_taxes

I tried calling customer service twice and every time I spent hours talking and was told I can't both windows n mac license files. I'm returning the software and switching to a different service. TurboTax is getting frustrating!

xs5

What other software you ended up buying? They told me I had to buy a separate PC download, and I am ready to ask for a refund.

MichelleLO

You are posting on an older thread. Please post specific details about the issue you are experiencing so that we can better assist you.

@xs5

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eddiealmada

I just spoke to tech support, had my claim escalated to speak to his supervisor. His supervisor told me that you can file 5 forms on one computer, but not install it across platforms. I told her I have not seen this in writing anywhere and have been using Turbotax for years without running into this problem. Is there something she could do? She told me she would send me the article regarding this. A few minutes later she told me that it says she is supposed to push me the downloader for Mac, but that she was not going to do that because I already had a downloader that worked. I told her that I do not have a Mac downloader that worked and if she received instructions to send me a Mac download file then she should do so. At this point she started yelling at me and talking over me, saying she is not going to do that, she does not have to do that and I already have a downloader that worked. I told her I would like to speak to her supervisor and she told me that she will not let me speak to her supervisor and hung up on me. Received an email that my case [phone number removed]) has been closed, so there will not be any follow up on this at ell either. The whole call took about an hour out of my day.

This was a very distressing experience. I have never been treated this poorly through any customer service experience. I have received better service at the DMV. Completely shocked by this treatment.

I hope others using this software have better luck than I did.

DamonH

Same experience. Supervisor said she wasn’t going to lose her job by pushing me the alternative OS download.

ldowling5

I was not yelled at nor was I told they were going to lose their job, but was told my only option was to purchase a new download and then she'd send me forms to request I refund for the other one. I don't feel I should have to purchase the product twice and there's no guarantee they'll grant my refund, so I passed on that. She did put me on hold and talked to others, so this seems to be the "standard" answer now. I told her several times that experts on this thread have indicated that Customer Support will provide a new download (even dropped "Daniel" the software specialist's name mentioned above. No luck. And threats to use something different after using TT for over 20 years also did not change the response. I'd say don't bother calling.

southmplsmom

YES!!! We use both PCs and Mac in our home, and FINALLY - after being hung up by customer service and being told that you had to purchase both versions - I was able to talk to a different rep who transferred me to Daniel, a turbo tax software specialist - and he told us the way to do this moving forward -- WITHOUT ever calling customer service again.

HOW TO INSTRUCTIONS:

Go to: installturbotax.com

Scroll down to Sign in

Enter the license code for your product (if you can't see your license code behind the pop-up, close the pop-up, copy your license code; you may have to open another window and go to installturbotax.com again to make the pop-up come back).

Once you enter your license code, you'll be given download options for all operating systems (so I was finally able to add the MAC download to my account!!!)

deb46

@southmplsmom I'm just wondering about your comment "I was finally able to add the MAC download" --sounds like your first installation was on a PC. Is that correct? And if so, did you use a download version on your PC? Thanks.

southmplsmom

Yes, we have the TurboTax for PC on auto renewal through turbo tax each year, as one person in my family uses the PC, and I use a Mac.

It used to be that we'd always call support for them to push the Mac download each year (after we stopped getting the discs), but this year the customer service reps kept saying we had to buy the Mac version, and I kept telling them that wasn't true.
But, as I said, someone finally connected us to someone in software support and he gave us those step-by-step instructions so we never would have to call in again.

CarissaM

What is the error that happens when you try to open it? @mnseas22

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caw4

I was able to download for both Windows and Mac for just 1 license fee. It was a little tricky though. Here is what I did...

I initially bought TurboTax Desktop Premier 2022 and selected Windows as my operating system. I downloaded the Windows installer per the usual instructions.
Afterwards, I went here: https://shopping.turbotax.intuit.com/unified/downloads?route=myaccounts&cgcview=downloads (Your TurboTax account -> Downloads)
Initially, it only shows the Windows download button...
Scroll to the bottom section that says Did you order a TurboTax product that you don't see listed above?
There is a sentence that says "If you ordered a CD but want to access TurboTax as a download instead, enter your license code here". I know, it is talking about CD orders and it sounds like this doesn't apply, but nonetheless click the link that says enter your license code here.
- Tip: Do not open in new tab. That won't work. Just left-click the link. It will open a dialogue box on top of the current page.
Paste your License code in the box and select the other operating system that you didn't already download. In my case, I selected "Mac".
Click the Get download button
Now, at the top of the page, you should see two download buttons: Macintosh download and Windows download.
Success!

CarissaM

Thank you for providing this workaround. @caw4

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Critter-3

@CarissaM

Please make sure the technical support folks at TT get this message of the relatively simple workaround for folks who use the CD to do the first download and then need to download the other OS file without the CD ... due to the fact that computers do not come with a DVD drive standard any longer this is a common issue these days. In fact a FAQ on this matter and/or some instructions in the CD packet would be proactive of the company.

gnguyen46

My Mac Book 's Old one 2013.... nnow Turbo Tax do not let it install in new PC!?, But Federal want me up to dat couple file ...?! what can I do Sht...@

xmasbaby0

Employee

@gnguyen46 It is not clear what you are trying to do. If your Mac is old, it cannot support the current desktop software--it will not meet the system requirements. And there are no updates or support available for the software for tax years earlier than 2019. Please explain what you are trying to do.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

Zim888

Yes.

ghheinle

Same topic, new twist...

With tax year 2024 TT is moving to download only, no CD. For years I've used the CD to install TT on both Windows and Mac (I use each for different purposes), and the single license key that came with the CD would enable the software on both systems. In some years I did try the download and/or upgraded the software. I've always had to contact tech support in order to get working software for both systems (without having to buy it again).

Has Intuit fixed this? If I buy the TT download for tax year 2024, will I get a single license key that works on both systems like I used to get with the CD? I did notice that this year I can download the full software for each system and it's just waiting for an activation key.

Thank you.

xmasbaby0

Employee

If you were using the CD on computers with disc drives, it was no problem because the CD's were formatted for PC or Mac. The downloads are specific to Windows or Mac, so you may need help from customer support if you want to download the software to both. Should still be one license key and you still get max of five federal e-files.