TurboTax Activation Fiasco

kurtinatlanta writes "Though the news broke in September, no one cares about tax return preparation software until January. Apparently Intuit's activation scheme for TurboTax will only allow you to print or file your returns from the computer on which you first installed it. The phrase "one computer" in their license literally means one computer. Moving the software (i.e. disk reformat, buy new computer) requires buying it again. There are all kinds of negative reviews on amazon.com as a result. Is this problem real or overhyped?" There's a more recent story about the flap. The Intuit PR rep is quoted as saying that people can install the software on multiple computers using the same activation code, but I don't think an unworking installation really counts.

Comments

One good review

[SoCalChris]

I bet G. Cooke from Texas would give it a positive review!

That's great.

[Anonymous Coward]

Just get the cracked version off Kazaa. What's the problem?

Damn....

[dallask]

I guess this means that I cant download and rip a copy of TurboTax so that I can lie on my tax returns while burning it for family????

Crap.

Dammit..

[grub]

Damn you, Intuit! I need my tax refund so I can buy one of those new SGI Altix computers!

CommentAnticipator

[mumblestheclown]

CommentAnticipator predicts:

• "This is yet another example of evil corporate blah blah blah blah blah.."
• "Won't corporations ever learn blah blah blah..."
• In soviet russia, TurboTax activates you!
• Let's start a boycott / return campaign ....
• "this is an example of how free markets work. They clamp down too hard on their customers this time, they'll pay next time." (oh, wait, no, that's too enlightened).
• Turbotax sucks anyway, I always use {alternate product}.
• (generic Turbotax efiling horror story)
• general carping about various turbotax ("home", "small business") editions.
• Some handwaving / slippery slope argumentation that attempts to imply that since some DRM technology is faulty, it must all be doomed to fail / evil.
• Some immature claims that any DRM technology is hackable.
• Requests for turbotax crackZ. But, of course, they're not called that here, as this is gentile slashdot.
• A reasonable response or two that DRM technology need not be 100% foolproof to be effective. This is modded down to -2, troll.
• MS-bashing, Palladium flavour.

Best comment on Amazon regarding the matter

[Eagle7]

I love this comment:

Quality Control?, January 4, 2003
Reviewer: Ex-long time user from Hernando, MS United States
I purchased TurboTax Deluxe for the fourth year in a row this year. When I went to install the program from the CD it turned out to be an AUDIO CD OF MEXICAN MUSIC! Bizarre.
...

Re:More importantly....

[mumblestheclown]

Moderation Totals: Mind-Numbingly Naive, -2

Re:TurboTax sucks anyway

[LostCluster]

On the other hand... let's notice that the IRS sent that taxpayer $320 he didn't even realize he was entitled to.

I'd call support on that one

[Wee]

I'd seriously call support, and have them walk me through an installation. In fact, I'd weedle my way to 2nd or 3rd tier if I could before I got to the actual inserting-the-cd bit. And I'd have to turn auto-run on too. That would be a key feature of the support session: "Ok, I inserted the CD and now there's like carnival music or something coming out of my speakers! Does TurboTax come with a soundtrack?"

Feh. The only kind of music I want to hear when doing taxes is the Muzak in the lobby of my CPA. Try taking the TurboTax software packaging to tax court with you and see how much it helps.

Dental work and accounting: two things you should never do by yourself, for yourself.

-B

from the FAQ

[stinky wizzleteats]

How does this benefit me?
With product activation, Intuit can provide faster, more efficient support for TurboTax customers. Without technology to ensure compliance with our License Agreement, TurboTax customers who legitimately purchase the product wait longer for support because of increased contacts from users seeking support for unlicensed software.

eh? Thousands of users calling support to deal with product activation issues are going to make it easier for me to get support?

Re:Use TaxAct.com

[ryanvm]

(And no, IANATP.)

I hope that last part doesn't stand for 'tax payer'. ;)

Fight the Power

[GMontag]

Sounds like you might want to join in this protest and get even with the system.