Can You Install TurboTax on More Than One Computer?
The short answer is: no, you cannot install TurboTax on more than one computer simultaneously. Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, explicitly restricts the installation to a single device at a time. This is a crucial point to understand before you begin your tax preparation. Attempting to circumvent this restriction could lead to account suspension or other consequences.
This limitation is primarily in place to prevent unauthorized access and protect the security of your sensitive financial data. Each TurboTax product is licensed for use on only one computer. This safeguards your personal information and ensures compliance with data protection regulations.
However, there are a few situations and workarounds that might seem like exceptions:
Can I Use TurboTax on Multiple Devices, but Not Simultaneously?
This is a much more nuanced question. While you can't run TurboTax on two computers at once, you can use it on different devices sequentially, provided you're following the software's licensing guidelines.
For instance:
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Transferring your progress: You can start your return on your desktop computer and then later continue on your laptop. However, you must correctly close and uninstall TurboTax from your desktop before proceeding to install and use it on your laptop. This allows for a clean transfer of your work without violating the terms of service.
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Using TurboTax online: TurboTax Online offers a solution for accessing your tax return from various devices. Because the data is stored on Intuit's servers, it syncs across multiple devices (phone, laptop, tablet). However, note that even here, only one user session is permitted at any given time.
What if I Need to Work on My Taxes from Multiple Locations?
If you frequently work from multiple locations (home office, library, etc.), consider these options:
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Cloud storage: Use cloud storage services (such as Dropbox or Google Drive) to save your work regularly. You can then access your files from any device with an internet connection. However, remember that this only helps you manage your files – you still need to install TurboTax on one computer at a time to actually use the software.
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Portable hard drive: Transfer your TurboTax project file to a portable hard drive and take it with you. However, the software installation still needs to remain on a single computer.
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Intuit's online version: This may be the best option for working across multiple devices without the hassle of reinstalling the software each time.
What Happens if I Try to Install TurboTax on Multiple Computers?
Attempting to install TurboTax on more than one computer simultaneously is against the terms of service. You may encounter error messages, activation problems, or even face account suspension. It's important to respect the software license to protect your access and the safety of your data.
In summary, while the functionality might not be immediately intuitive, TurboTax's single-computer restriction is crucial for security and compliance. Understanding this limitation, and how to navigate around it with proper file management, will ensure a smooth and worry-free tax-filing experience.
