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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.
The Intuit PR rep is quoted as saying that people can install the software on multiple computers using the same activation code - the very thing that the activation process is supposed to prevent - so he is misquoted, misinformed, or lying.
No, you can install on another machine, you just can't print or file your return from that machine. Installation and printing are completely different things last I checked.
I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....
The simple solution is to not use TurboTax. TaxAct.com has always worked for me. And it's free.
Or, pay an actual human being to do your taxes. I've never done it but I understand they know all about the loopholes and stuff.
Save the hassle and do it online. No install, can do it from anywhere you have browser access.
$ man woman *
-bash:
I've been checking out Kiplinger's Tax Cut from my local library for a few years now. Very thorough software, and it only costs me money when I return it late. ;)
I used the H&R Block TaxCut the last two years. The help is not as good as TurboTax, but the price is a lot nicer.
-- Argel
A couple things...
:)
1. This product activation is in no way tied to any hardware on your machine.
2. The software activation does not send any personal or computer information to Intuit.
3. You can install the software on a new computer and use the same activation code that they gave you when you originally installed. You just have to write it down and keep it in a safe place.
Nuff said, nothing to see here.
Here is a printable version of the article that contains less spam and is easier to read.
TurboTax for the Web will let you electronically file your taxes for free. The catch?? You have to file ONLY the 1040-EZ and make less than $25K, but since that's what I've filed the last 5 years, it's no real problem for me (yeah being a student!). If you want to file a 1040 or 1040A it's something like $10.00. But they will do your state and federal taxes online and submit them electronically.
Why would this matter to /.? Well because for the last 2 years I've used it with netscape on linux with no troubles at all. So now you can do your taxes for free with linux electronically and get a refund in around 2 days.
So don't sit there for hours and do it with the "easy to follow IRS workbook" or load windows up to use a windows only program, or go pay someone far too much money to do it for you, do them online cheaply.
Best way to get around the registration hassle of software is to not use the software that requires you to register it.
Ignore the "p2p is theft" trolls, they're just uninformed
Careful with this advice. Some of the tax shops use this exact same or similiar software to do your taxes for you.
Perhaps rephrase it... "go to a reputable tax prep specialist and stay the hell away from do-it-yourself software solutions."
However, I did figure out a method that would be basically as good. With a non-activated version you can still fill in your taxes entirely, you just cannot file or print them. So, install the software at home BUT DO NOT ACTIVATE IT. Fill out your taxes entirely. Then when you are done, install and activate on your work machine, and e-file and print from there.
Not quite as convenient as before, but basically the same.
(And as an added bonus, if you want to piss off Intuit and show them the flaw of their ways, then make copies of the CD and give them to all of your coworkers and have them all file their taxes from your computer! I don't even think that could be illegal, since unlike most software, having the CD is not a "right to use", so making a copy of the CD is in essence just a shareware version of the software that a user who wanted to file on their own would still need to pay for, and the software provides them the method internally. Good method of civil disobedience... Let's see who can file the most returns on one bought copy of TurboTax!)
My county set up electronic renewal of vehicle licensing. It's just a simple web form, nothing fancy, and couldn't have cost much to set up. Yet it's highly effective and they encourage it because it saves them manpower and tax money, not to mention thousands of hours of people waiting in line at the DMV.
There was a movement for this a year or two ago, but Quicken et. al. lobbied against it and offered reduced-cost filing for poor people to appease lawmakers. As a result, we are stuck paying extra to private companies to file tax returns in a way that should save everybody time and money.
The most frustrating is the powerless feeling it gives a user. People will come to HATE software because of the frustration and agony of not being able to control something they feel they own. This will make consumer less reluctant to throw down $100 or $200 bucks for their next software purchase. Not good. Someone needs to find a better way.
<a href="http://www.joblessjimmy.com">Work is dumb and so is Jobless Jimmy.</a>
Actually, there are 4 reviews that give the produect a 5. Two of them are top 500 reviewers and a third is in the top 1500. All of the good reviews are within the first few days of the products release and they all sound like they could have come from the back of the box.
Below is a transcript of my chat with online support. They were very helpful in easing my fears of product activation. I have bought (and deducted) the tax software and I love how it makes my tax time less arduous. Hopefully, tech support will live up to their claims of transerability should I upgrade my computer... which I will. I still like H&R Block's approach better, but I am a little more at ease now. Please read on...
:)
JOhn
You have been connected to G. Cylon.
G. Cylon: Hello John, how may I help you today?
John Peterson: hi, i read an article today on slashdot.org about intuit's product activation for turbo tax. i am a long time customer and i am worried about computer upgrades and my use of turbo tax.
John Peterson: I do not want to pay for the product twice and that is what I am worried about.
G. Cylon: You shouldn't have to pay for the product more than once after it's installed and activated okay on the first computer
John Peterson: ok, lets say I upgrade my computer, which I often do... how is product activation handled there?
John Peterson: I do plan on upgrading my computer within the next month or two, but I also want to start on my taxes ASAP
G. Cylon: Upgrading the computer shouldn't affect product activation unless the harddrive is changed
John Peterson: ok, if there is a dispute can i fax in a receipt of my purchase?
G. Cylon: Can you give me a moment to check it please
John Peterson: thank you
John Peterson: I hope you understand my concern. I am a hardcore computer user and I often change out components of my hardware. In addition, I own my own business and I love how your software makes it easier for me to file my taxes accurately. It used to be a nightmare to compute all the deductions. However, this new product activation has me very worried that my software is not really mine and that I will be forced a "double taxation" on my tax software. If this happens, I can guarantee I will no longer purchase your product. This will be a sad event for me because I love your product, and I have used it for over three years.
John Peterson: I understand the need to reduce piracy, but I'm worried I will be falsely targeted.
G. Cylon: Yeah i know what you mean, but the product shouldn't be affected
G. Cylon: unless for major hardware change
John Peterson: It would make me much more comfortable if I could speak with a product activation specialist to make sure there aren't any loop holes.
G. Cylon: Can you give me a moment please
John Peterson: ok
G. Cylon: only changing hard drives will cause you to be asked to reactivate.
John Peterson: ok, so if i upgrade my hard drive i cannot transfer the license?
G. Cylon: If that should happen,you should just contact us with the original date you installed on the old hard drive and we will be able to get you activated again.
John Peterson: hey, thats great!
John Peterson: now, i would also like the number for an activation specialist so i can confirm this.
John Peterson: the price of the software is usually around $75 so its not something I want to throw away
G. Cylon: I don't have a number for a PA specialist.
John Peterson: ok, i'll look around then
G. Cylon: But that is what our business rules say and you confirmed it with my supervisor
John Peterson: ok
G. Cylon: i've confirmed*
John Peterson: gotcha
John Peterson: Thank you for your time.
G. Cylon: but if there is any problem quote this case id *******
John Peterson: Thank you once again. Take care.
G. Cylon: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting our TurboTax Support Chat.
Campaign for Liberty
The IRS has made rumblings that unless the tax software industry gets their act together, the IRS will start work on an "official" tax product that would likely be impossible to compete with.
The state of MA has already done this, with an easy-to-use web interface (over HTTPS, of course) that puts the state edition of TurboTax to shame. MA doesn't have that complex of a tax code anyway, so there really isn't much for software to do in the first place besides data entry and transmission.
Moving the software (i.e. disk reformat, buy new computer) requires buying it again.
This is not what the article said. The original installer only has to hang on to the key and activation code and they can reinstall it on a new PC. It may sound like a pain in the ass but you can just keep this info with your tax records that you have to keep anyway.
I guess people are just pissed they can't split the cost of one copy of the program with their friends and family anymore.
'Same speed C but faster'
I have been a Turbo Tax user for the last 7 or 8 years. Several years ago I decided to change how I was handling depreciation on a rental property. I was able to reinstall my old copies of Turbo Tax and amend my tax returns. I had kept my .tax files around on my computer.
While it is of limited use, some people do need to access/change previous tax returns. With the new product activation it sounds like I may have been screwed.
Ummm.. You're a little bit off on this. The IRS can only go back three years and audit you. That is unless they suspect you of comitting fraud, then they can go back as far as they damn well please. You're better off keeping copies of your returns indefinitely. The Motley Fool has a nice guide on how long to keep stuff.
Personally, I'd keep both the paper and electronic media.
--zawada
In Soviet Russia, the Beowulf cluster imagines you!
I would love to see that. For instance, the state of Illinois provides free online filing. Up 'til now the IRS excuse has been that they didn't want to undercut the non-free tax software market, but if they want me to file electronically, they're going to have to make it cheaper than $.37. I'm not about to pay money just to make things easier on the IRS :)
Your right to not believe: Americans United for Separation of Church and
Do I need to activate TurboTax again if I reinstall the program? Whether or not you need to reactivate TurboTax (that is, purchase an additional product license) depends upon your particular situation:
If you reinstall TurboTax to the same hard disk that it was previously activated on, you do not need to activate it again.
If you install TurboTax on another computer, you need to activate it again only if you want to print or electronically file your tax return from that computer.
Example: You activated TurboTax on your home computer and attempt to electronically file your tax return, but for some reason you start to experience problems with your Internet connection. The next day, you install TurboTax on your computer at work, along with a copy of your tax file. In order to electronically file your tax return from your work computer, you must activate TurboTax on your work computer. Note: If you need to reinstall an activated copy of TurboTax on another computer because of a hard disk failure, or if you are reinstalling an activated copy of TurboTax on a newly purchased computer or hard disk, please contact a live agent to obtain a second activation code.
If you install TurboTax on another computer without activating it, you can make changes to your tax return using the EasyStep Interview, but you will not be able to print, electronically file, use the Forms Method, view tax forms, or save your tax file as a .pdf file from that computer.
Example: After activating TurboTax, you electronically file your tax return and print copies of the return for your records. Shortly thereafter, you replace your original computer with a new one. You install TurboTax on the new computer in case you need to refer to your 2002 tax file, but you do not intend to electronically file or print your return again. In this case, you do not need to activate TurboTax on your new computer. Product Activation lets you print or electronically file tax returns from any computer that TurboTax is activated on; it does not prevent installing the program on another computer.
<a href="http://www.joblessjimmy.com">Work is dumb and so is Jobless Jimmy.</a>
I jsut bought a house this year and for mortgage approval I was required to show my last 3 years worth of tax returns which I had saved and printed on a different computer than I originally printed from. I guess I'm glad I use TaxCut instead.
I have great faith in fools; My friends call it self-confidence. Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1845
I used to use Personal Tax Edge... which Turbo Tax bought up. They gave me a discount to use Turbo Tax and I did. I didn't like it at all compared to Personal Tax Edge. The next year I did some searching and found TaxAct.com. It was created by former Personal Tax Edge staff. I used the free federal that year and did the state by hand. The next year (and the last few since) I have been buying the TaxAct Deluxe (fed and state with one fed electronic submission) for $19.99.
I've been very happy with it and since it imports my data from the previous year it only takes about 30 min to do both fed and state.
Jeff
like receiving your return in a couple days quick
You do realize that if you get a refund when you file your taxes, that basically means you just gave the government an interest free loan, right? The trick is to withhold as little as possible during the year so you either break even or owe a little bit on April 15 (not enough to get an underpayment penalty, of course). Then your money is YOURS throughout the whole year, and you can save it and invest it anyway you like the whole time.
"The defense of freedom requires the advance of freedom" - George W Bush
I attended a presentation about e-government initatives at which an IRS representative spoke about this issue. This was three years ago, but the gentleman said that the IRS had no intention of offering its own electronic filing, primarily because of industry pressure.
One CPU cycle wasted on digital restrictions management is ONE TOO MANY.
I am a college student and part time computer consultant. We all know how that goes. The thing is, I've helped many clients upgrade their QuickBooks, Quicken and other Intuit products over the past several months. Let me relate to you only one of them:
Client has Quickbooks 6.0. It must be about 4 years old, or so. It is cumbersome and annoying to update the Tax table/rate codes. They use it for payroll, accounts recievable, accounts payable. Though it is a family business, it is broken into several files for manage-ability. (Legally) They have several companies set up-- and some companies are seasonal. (e.g. Yard work). From what I understand, there are federal and state tax advantages, if you have several small companies that work together. Anyway, there are about 3 employees that manage the books for 15 or so company files.
Trouble: When we upgraded from QB6.0 to QB2003, the "upgrade" did not count QB6.0 as valid. We were on hold for over 90 minutes, and finally got through to a rep, that told us we had to fax them a recipt for the QB2003 as well as a recipt for the QB6.0 from 4 years ago. (We had QB6.0 serial numbers, correspondence, etc, no good. The client had been a quicken gold support (or whatever) member for the past 4 years, up until about 6 months prior to the upgrade. They could find no trace of us in the system, and only a recipt for QB6.0 would do. They claimed they couldn't find us even though they'd mailed tax table updates a few months prior as well as a "you must upgrade to QB2002 right now because we no longer support 6.0" -- with QB2003 due out soon we decided to wait the 4 (or so) months to get the newest version. They were told QB6.0 would count for the QB2003 upgrade when they explicitly asked (at my instruction). Anyway, about 4 days later they were able to activate qb2003 with a replacement keycode, but only after faxing them both the recipts, cover of the manual and serial numbers. Did I mention we bought directly from the intuit website? As if that wasn't enough, a few days later they went to do payroll. It wouldn't let them until it went online and updated-- which it could not do because it could not verify subscription status. When done manually, after being on hold for 108 minutes, the rep said it was good for only one company file. My client would have to pay per-company. I think the "accountant edition" might side step this somehow, but it was difficult getting straight answers. We chatted with a rep on the website as well as phoned in months prior and went over the situation in detail. We ordered what they recommended. We've also discovered some features they had in QB6.0, though rudimentary, are pay-for in QB2003. It has been an extremely painful upgrade.
Though this client only had 4 QB computers, this was probably the most painful upgrade ever. The other experiences I've had with intuit proably aren't this bad, but they're not exactly great either.
Intuit spokesman Scott Gulbransen said the vast majority of concerns are based on misunderstandings about Intuit's use of product activation. Unlike the product activation process that Microsoft uses for its Windows XP operating system, Intuit's software doesn't record any information about the PC that TurboTax is installed on.
The activation key is generated from the product key, if you loose the activation key then there becomes a problem. Printing, filing all of that is part of the activation process if you activate it you can do anything you want, and as long as you keep the activation key around your safe
Now this is of course a problem and an inconvience to the user and sucks, but its not as big as everyone is making it.
Do some research before you start spouting about things you don't understand -- the right of first sale is codified in law, and has been affirmed by the supreme court in numerous cases. There may be debate about how it applies to some digital media by some corporations, but that doesn't change the fact that it certainly is a legal right.
I do not read or respond to AC's. If you want a discussion, log in. Otherwise, don't waste your time.
Not with Safecast2 you won't be. It detects VMware as a debugger.
Safecast2 is a product from our perennial
Hedley
Does anyone know if TaxCut has an activation scheme? I saw TaxCut Platinum on sale yesterday at Office Depot for $29.95.
If you read the article, you'd see that it doesn't. For $29.95, I'd snag it. Accordign to the article, the Platinum edition is "single owner/multiple computer" licensed. I.e. You can install it on multiple computers you own. So grab it now.
Fascism starts when the efficiency of the government becomes more important than the rights of the people.
So, I called Intuit's "Customer Service" line, at 800-446-8848. Unfortunately, recordings at this number simply refer all questions to the Web site, which likewise has no information on how to return the product under the "guarantee." This is a bit reminiscent of the problems experienced by those seeking promised refunds for Windows. So much for the guarantee written clearly on the box. Again, Intuit is starting to seem an awful lot like Microsoft.
Flattax.gov has the info. Yes, we definitely need to switch to this. It replaces the mortgage deduction with much higher personal and dependend deductions too, ending the tax discrimination against renters. That mortgage deduction artificially drives up real estate costs too (gotta maximize that deduction! Except you're paying the bank $3 to save $1 on your taxes... but real estate only appreciates in value, right? Right?). I wouldn't want to own a McMansion if this ever passes though :-).
However, read the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, which makes it a crime to circumvent a copy protection device. Where is the principle of first sale then? It is NOT present. I was never saying the law didn't mention first sale, nor that fair use isn't mentioned in the law. But there is a new law in town. See HR2281, aka The Digital Millenium Copyright Act, which amends title 17. See the section starting on page 5 of the PDF file linked (Title 17, Chapter 12 [not in the Act of 1976, is it?] section 1201 - Circumvention of Copy Protection Systems, and 1203 - Civil remedies and 1204 - Criminal Offenses and Penalties).
The fact that the Act of 1976 codified some rights that came to exist through imperfect control does not grant those AS rights to the citizens. Read all of HR2281. It amends title 17 all over the place. I didn't just make this stuff up. Then go on and read the rest of it. Then come back and tell me you have those right enumerated in the Copyright Act of 1976.
Don't buy the software.
The guys who run Intuit aren't stupid; they know they'll achieve a certain amount of dissatisfaction from some customers and lose some business, but they're betting the increase in revenue from a curtailment in copyright violations outweighs the loss of customer satisfaction and any subsequent loss of sales.
Buy something else, then write them a letter letting them know they lost a sale.
Intuit is smart enough to know that they may have 90% of the market this year, but they've got to sell you again every year. Its the nature of the market for this kind of software.
If they can't count on that annuity, they'll get the message.
You were mistaken. Which is odd, since memory shouldn't be a problem for you
Unfortunately, TaxCut has some very serious problems internally, and their tech support is completely incompetent.
Case in point:
Last tax year, I had some pre-tax income set aside for dependant care (flex plan) not fully realizing what it was. Well, box 10 was showing a number on my W2, and I filled in the amount in TaxCut. TaxCut then forces you to fill out form 2441 listing what institutions you payed for dependent care. In my case, I didn't. So in reality, I would not file that form. However, TaxCut will not allow you to delete form 2441.
TaxCut's answer? Start a new tax return... from scratch. I asked them to send me a patch that would allow me to delete the form since I had already spent over 20 hours working on the return. "We'll consider that for future versions". In other words..."Take a hike, sir."
My response? "I won't be using TaxCut again. Thanks for wasting my time."
YMMV - Maybe try TaxAct, although my bottom line varied with the more mainstream programs.
- OrbNobz
Filling up 60 minutes of your time... in about an hour.