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TurboTax Activation Fiasco

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the pay-the-piper dept.

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.

6 of 554 comments (clear)

  1. One good review by SoCalChris · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  2. Damn.... by dallask · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.

    --
    The Code Ninja is swift with his tool, precise in his delivery, and deadly accurate in his execution.
  3. Best comment on Amazon regarding the matter by Eagle7 · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.
    ...

    --
    _sig_ is away
  4. Re:More importantly.... by mumblestheclown · · Score: 4, Funny

    Moderation Totals: Mind-Numbingly Naive, -2

  5. Re:TurboTax sucks anyway by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  6. I'd call support on that one by Wee · · Score: 4, Funny
    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

    --

    Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.