Updated on Monday, March 17, 2025: Did you buy a copy of TurboTax — maybe at Amazon or at your local retail store like Costco or Best Buy — only to realize that you don’t need it? Maybe you bought the wrong version? Or you changed your mind and decided to file your taxes this year with the help of a certified public accountant (CPA) like those offered by H&R Block? Whatever the reason, we’ll help you see if you qualify for a refund and help you return your unwanted TurboTax software.

Can I Return my Unwanted TurboTax 2025 Software?

If you purchased your CD/digital download version of TurboTax 2025 software directly from intuit.com or at any one of their authorized retailers then you are covered by their 60-day money-back guarantee. That’s even if the store that you purchased the software from does not accept returns on either sealed or opened software programs. That incudes a qualifying purchases of TurboTax Basic, Deluxe, Premier and Home & Business versions.

For 2025, the list of Intuit’s authorized retailers include:

• AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Store)
• Amazon (only when the order was “Shipped and Sold by Amazon.”
• Best Buy
• BJ’s Warehouse
• CDW
• Costco
• Dell
• Fred Meyer
• Marine Corps
• Meijer
• Micro Center
• Nebraska Furniture Mart
• Newegg.com
• NexWeb (Navy)
• Office Depot/OfficeMax
• PC Mall
• Quill
• Sam’s Club
• Staples
• Target

If you purchased your boxed CD, download or activation code of TurboTax elsewhere — including on eBay — then it’s possible that your have a bootlegged, pirated or otherwise illegal/non-resalable version of the program. If that’s the case, you may be declined a return and refund of your purchase price. If you believe that you are a victim of a scam then be sure dispute the changes with your Credit Card company and report the issue to Intuit directly at [email protected].

How Can I Request a Refund from TurboTax?

You will need to complete this form when requesting a refund. You will need to provide a scanned copy of receipt/proof of purchase (or order number if purchased directly from Intuit), your product license code (included in your purchase confirmation email or on the DVD case), your contact information including your physical mailing address, and answer a few other basic questions. Your request must be made within 60 calendar days from the purchase date in order to qualify. Keep in mind that any incurred shipping and handling charges are not refundable.

Track your TurboTax Refund Request.

A refund request may take a few weeks to process by Intuit, especially if it’s may on or around April 15th as their customer service team is usually exceptional busy around this time of the year. However, you can track your refund request at any time using this app. Be prepared to provide your case number and email address used in the initial request.

Can I Get a Refund for TurboTax Online 2025 Products?

Because all TurboTax Online and Mobile/App products are paid for at the time you submit your completed tax return for efiling, just prior to printing/saving your completed tax return (not prepaid beforehand as is the case with all TurboTax CD/download versions) there are no refunds/returns accepted and no money-back guarantees offered on any of these products.

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Stuck with your TurboTax refund? Then leave your questions or comments below and we’ll do our best to help you out!

Updated on Monday, March 17, 2025: If you’ve purchased a download or CD version of TurboTax 2025 — including Basic, Deluxe, Premier or Home & Business versions (like the ones sold at Costco, Target or Best Buy) — then the terms found in the TurboTax Desktop Software End User License Agreement for the 2025 version (for tax year 2024) specifically state that you can install, authenticate and activate the software on up to 5 different computers as long as they are your own personal machines (home and work). Sounds easy and straightforward, right? No quite.

Known issues.

Unfortunately, we’re seeing many people reporting problems trying to install the CD/download versions of TurboTax on their second laptop/desktop after the initial installation. The most common error seems to be: “This license code has already been associated with an account. Please check that account and look for it in Downloads.”

The cause of this error appears to be as a result of the initial installation; there is a problem if you installed the CD/download and activated the license key on your computer without first making a TurboTax account or signing in to your existing account at the official Turbotax installation page. For most users, the program DOES NOT ask you to do so, thus this is an error on Intuit’s part. Because your key was used without an account, it later won’t allow you to connect to a new or existing account for additional activations. In this case you’ll have to call Intuit’s TurboTax helpline and ask for a new license key code.

How can I contact TurboTax by phone?

To get a new license key you’ll need to call and explain the situation with a live customer service representative. You can contact them by calling 1-800-446-8848 and pressing 1 when prompted, and then 1 again for a U.S. agent (press 2 for a Canadian representative). They are available live to take your call from 5:00AM to 9:00PM Pacific Time, 7 days a week, during the tax season. Remember, when asking for a new license key make sure you let them know which TurboTax Federal version you purchased AND any State return(s) you purchased as well.

For reference, you can provide these two threads that discuss the problems in detail from others having the same issues:

• https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/resolved-after-many-calls-cannot-reinstall-download-cd-product-on-second-computer/00/1770119
• https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/how-many-computers-can-a-turbotax-installed-on-using-one-serial-number/00/1298181

How to “properly” install TurboTax 2025.

If you bought a TurboTax license (with or without the CD disc included) from a retail store like Costco, these these are the steps you should follow to ensure trouble-free activation:

1. Visit the Turbotax installation page on Intuit’s website and either sign-in to your existing TurboTax account or create a new account if you don’t have one.
2. Enter the License Code that you purchased into your TurboTax account and download the program into your online account.
3. Turn off or pause any other programs that your computer is currently running, including any AntiVirus programs, as this may cause an error at installation.
4. Download the program and open it in your “Downloads” folder. Double click on the exe. file to install it.
5. Copy the License Code from your TurboTax Account using the “Copy Code” link.
6. Enter the License Code when prompted to do so.

To install TurboTax on your additional Mac or PC computer, login to your TurboTax account from your 2nd machine and follow steps #3 to #6 from above. You can repeat this process and install the program on up to five personal computers.

Comments.

If you’ve run into problems, have questions or know of any better workarounds, then let us know in the comments below.

Updated on Monday, March 3, 2025: We are happy to report that TurboTax is once again back at Costco for 2025 and now available at all local warehouse stores!

With their early season discount, you’ll save up to $20.00 on select CD/download versions of the software vs. the regular retail price. Here’s how much Costco is offering for each version at the moment:

• TurboTax Deluxe Federal and/or Deluxe Federal + State on sale for $44.99 (normally $55.99).
• TurboTax Premier Federal + State on sale for $64.99 (normally $82.99).
• TurboTax Home & Business on sale for $75.99 (normally $95.99).
• TurboTax Business (not available in warehouses, online only).

Just keep in mind that there is typically a limit of 2/each per customer. The applicable discount is automatically applied at checkout. Unfortunately, the online versions are not offered at Costco but you can still pick up a deal today at turbotax.intuit.com (online versions are now on sale through March 31, 2025 at 10% off).

What’s the difference between “CD/Download” versions and “Online” versions of TurboTax?

TurboTax’s ultimate goal is to help you file your tax return for tax year 2024. But the version you choose determines how you get it done.

If you pick up the CD/Download version of Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business, or Business at Costco then you will need to install the software on your personal computer. You will then only be able to use that computer to work on, file and submit your tax return using TurboTax. All your personal data will be locally stored on your machine. And unless you used TurboTax last year + the same computer to file your 2024 tax return, then you will also need to have your previous tax return handy to help you complete this year’s return.

On the flip side, if you decide to go with an “Online” version of TurboTax (our preferred method) then you will complete and file your tax return using your online TurboTax account. The benefits of this is that you can work on your tax return and save-as-you-go from any internet connected device; laptop, desktop, tablet and smartphone (including through the TurboTax app). That means you can start your return and, for example, your spouse can finish it off from a different device at a later date from where you left off. And if you used TurboTax Online last year then it remembers and instantly imputes last year’s tax data automatically for you where needed.

Which version of TurboTax do I need?

If you’re not sure if you need to buy Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business, or Business versions of TurboTax 2025, then be sure to get the lower-priced version of the two that you’re deciding on. That’s because regardless if you choose one of the CD/download versions or one of the online versions of TurboTax, you’ll also have an option to upgrade within the program if you need to based on your specific tax situation. The program will guide you through the process and if an upgrade is needed, then you will be directed to a payment option for the upgrade.

Current Offers

Before you run out to your nearest Costco or anywhere else to pick up a copy of TurboTax, be sure to see all the current TurboTax deals available today. Eligible military families and students with simple tax returns may also qualify for free filing with TurboTax this year. As we do every year, we’re tracking all of the top deals on TurboTax all season long through the April 15th tax deadline.

Questions & Comments

Not sure which version of TurboTax to buy? Found a better deal on TurboTax that you would like to share? Then leave your questions, thoughts and comments below.