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Email this12:57 pm
November 8, 2018
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It used to be that one can buy TurboTax with CD, install it on PC, enter optional contact info and file taxes.
As of this year, TurboTax 2024 desktop version, these are the changes Intuit implemented:
1. They sell box with digital license, one must download installation file which is just executable. Not every PC will allow to run EXE file from download by default.
2. They make you create account with Intuit, requiring to provide your email address.
3. They request phone number to send "verification code" to. So, you must give them phone number, too.
4. During install, Windows firewall alerts that some process wants to open connection through firewall, never had this before with TurboTax. Not allowing this connection seem to break installation process. Reinstall won't fix that.
5. After creating account, on startup before one can enter license TurboTax freezes and after some (long) time gives error message "You are not connected to the Internet."
TurboTax support pages do not cover this situation, but on the Internet people say fully disabling Windows firewall could make TurboTax run.
You should not be disabling firewall on a PC.
I've been loyal TurboTax user for 10 years. This is the first year I have that ordeal. Software is not cheap, it is $40 for TurboTax Standard.
I might find ways to make it work for me this year, as it is not possible to return digital license for refund, but I absolutely, positively do not recommend TurboTax 2024 desktop version to anyone.
1:32 pm
October 27, 2013
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It doesn't seem like others have an issue with an online download (and install) of the software. So what if one needs to 'register' their download and get the 'key' to activate the software. That is the way most now install tax software on their computers (of the half dozen or more tax software packages available). From https://www.financialwisdomforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=125582 it appears TurboTax Basic is more than good enough for most situations. I long ago switched from what was then Intuit to UFile which is about $22 after discount for up to 4 returns, and I also use StudioTax for 'what if' analysis (free to use but must buy to print/Netfile).
1:40 pm
January 25, 2024
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Wow, this is REALLY bad news. I used Turbotax for years and years...
Intuit does have your email as they send you a note regarding NETFILE confirmation.
As for the phone number I really do not want to give them that.
And definitely do not want to create account at Intuit. Current (2023) program and all other before do bug you to create an account (register) every time you start a program but you could cancel that request and proceed.
And shutting off firewall is absolutely NO way to access Internet.
Keep us in the loop, please! Let see what other recommend. Maybe on-line filing (WealthSimple) will just do the trick if tax situation is not that complex.
1:51 pm
October 27, 2013
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I avoid online versions of tax software since I do not want my tax file residing on a third party server, even if only temporarily. I only use downloaded versions.
It is the Netfile process in your tax file that sends you the confirmation, not the tax software provider.
1:58 pm
December 18, 2024
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When I switched to a Mac my usage of Turbo Tax ended.
1. It was hard to find.
2. Either the software or files created were cloud based.
I like it all on my equipment. Went to StudioTax. I believe at first it was free but is now $17.50. Takes a bit of getting used to. Improvements are made. Support is very decent. Purchase process is good by credit card or PayPal.
From Studio Tax website.
In order to meet the ever-increasing maintenance costs and to support our employees, we are unfortunately no longer able to offer StudioTax as a free software. To keep the software around and improving for many years to come, we are asking for your help by paying $17.50 for a license before printing and/or filing your returns.
The single license is good to file a maximum number of 10 returns: 10 returns of the same tax year/$17.50.
5:35 pm
November 8, 2018
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Status update.
Disabling firewall allows TurboTax 2024 registration go through. After the registration, it is OK to turn firewall on: TurboTax starts with it.
You absolutely should not be disabling firewall on your primary PC you are using for daily activities such as banking, even for short period of time.
Probably to show how much more you could be annoyed for $40 you paid, after you passed the quest of initializing their product, they added two more features:
1. You must run TurboTax as an Administrator, otherwise it'll complain and won't start. This is new;
2. After app starts, it'll ask you to register (despite already making you create account with them). Registration form includes mandatory fields such as email, postal address, phone number, etc., etc.
Used to be like that before, but you could dismiss it once and it would not come again. It now comes at every TurboTax app start. You have to dismiss it every time.
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Final thoughts. This year, I bought TurboTax as I usually do: purchased box (now with just license) from the store and attempted installation. Failed on firewall issues before even entering the license.
Next year, I'll download TurboTax 2025 executable file first and try running it. If it still does not play well with standard Windows firewall, instead of paying for TurboTax license I'll switch to a different tax preparation software.
9:44 pm
September 28, 2023
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Seems like selling boxed Turbotax in stores is becoming redundant, if the downloading & activation has to be done online now. I guess it is good for those that can't or don't trust shopping online, but it doesn't seem like there is much in the box to justify the store earning its margin (that's why it's $40, I'd guess the retailer will get $10-15 of it).
7:58 am
October 27, 2013
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everhopeful said
Seems like selling boxed Turbotax in stores is becoming redundant, if the downloading & activation has to be done online now. I guess it is good for those that can't or don't trust shopping online, but it doesn't seem like there is much in the box to justify the store earning its margin (that's why it's $40, I'd guess the retailer will get $10-15 of it).
An in-store purchase is the most unproductive, inefficient and wasteful way to sell this product. No point of selling it by CD either. Virtually no one has those things any more on their hardware (laptops, tablets et al). I have not used one for at least 5, and perhaps closer to 10 years.
1:03 pm
November 8, 2018
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After (rather brief) search I decided I will be switching to UFile.
I can download UFile installation file and it installs on Windows PC without firewall issues.
I have found I can run UFile without license, very useful to see how it works. On start it asks to enter the license but when this screen is dismissed I can continue with tax return.
My plan is, as I have already paid for TurboTax, to go through the process of filing taxes in parallel in both systems to see how they work. UFile won't let me submit my taxes to CRA, of course, but all I need is to see how everything works with it till that point.
Next year, I'll just buy UFile license and use it to file my taxes with CRA.
Until I actually pay for UFile I don't need to create an account with them.
Ufile has different UI than TurboTax, but I am not looking to replace TurboTax with copycat. Different UI is OK.
Entering dependants is very different and somewhat convoluted in UFile comparing to TurboTax, but I lived with TurboTax ways of doing things and can manage UFile, just need to get through learning process.
UFile help system is not as polished as TurboTax, I've already hit dead links (broken help pages) at least twice. For people who file taxes year after year this would not be a big deal.
Simple tax return (one person, no dependants, no carryovers) is as easy and straightforward in UFile as it is in TurboTax.
3:12 pm
January 25, 2024
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Why not to use any other Free Canadian Tax program(s)?
3:20 pm
April 6, 2013
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The only free desktop software left is GenuTax Standard. Studiotax has free versions of their software for iPhone and Android only.
I tried GenuTax and found it insufferable. It was like doing a survey of 1,000 questions. One enters info when the software wizard decides it is time to do so along a long, rigid journey that the software plots out.
Can't continue at certain points unless one provides the requested info. No ability to go to particular schedules or forms to enter or view info.
7:54 am
March 15, 2019
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I use tax software on a computer that is never connected to the Internet and then I transcribe the info by hand to a paper tax return and send by Canada Post (are they still on strike?)
Question: Is Windows 7 still adequate to do a 2024 tax return? Or, is it now Windows 10 or higher?
8:02 am
November 8, 2018
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COIN said
Question: Is Windows 7 still adequate to do a 2024 tax return?
TurboTax 2024: Windows 10 or 11. Can't use without Internet connection.
UFile 2024: Windows 10 or 11.
12:23 pm
April 6, 2013
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StudioTax 2024 requires Windows 10 or 11.
The beta for TaxFreeway for Windows 2024 supports Windows 7. Not sure if that will be still the case with its NETFILE-certified release version.
GenuTax Standard still supports Windows 7.
12:33 pm
September 28, 2023
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COIN said
Question: Is Windows 7 still adequate to do a 2024 tax return? Or, is it now Windows 10 or higher?
My question would be "Is Win7 secure enough to do a tax return?"... it hasn't received security updates for 5 years now. Win10 will suffer the same fate this fall.
Upgrading from Win7 to Win10 is easy, but I will probably be PC shopping this summer, because Win11 requires a trusted processor module, which this 14 year old beast lacks. Which is a shame, because it is still meeting my computing needs after all these years. [It was getting sluggish a few years ago, but swapping the hard disk out for a solid state drive made it feel like a new PC, and it hasn't bogged down since. I highly recommend this inexpensive upgrade!]
3:15 pm
January 25, 2024
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Alexandre said
COIN said
Question: Is Windows 7 still adequate to do a 2024 tax return?TurboTax 2024: Windows 10 or 11. Can't use without Internet connection.
UFile 2024: Windows 10 or 11.
Not true.
TurboTax 2024 can be used without Internet. It will complain 'cannot check for an updates' but dismissing that will open and you can load your tax file for 2024.
Internet is required to create an account and activate 2024 version.
Of course, without Internet program is useless as current version is what I would call 'beta' - unfinished code as tax rules or whatever are not finalized so you HAVE to have Internet to get latest TT2024 version. But you can wait until April 29, 2025 and then 'somehow' obtain latest and greatest TT2024 and do your taxes.
I say 'somehow' as you HAVE to have Internet or friend with Internet connection to download program.
3:52 pm
December 12, 2009
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Consider trying Better Tax, from Better Tax Company, at https://www.bettertax.ca/. It requires only an e-mail address to use. It's from the same co-founders of Simple Tax, now that they're free of their non-compete agreement with Wealthsimple. It's dirt simple to use, and you can delete your tax returns after filing if you wish.
They also offer a local option at https://www.bettertax.ca/en/free, so you can save a Better Tax local tax file for next year. 🙂
Cheers,
Doug
3:53 pm
December 12, 2009
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AltaRed said
I avoid online versions of tax software since I do not want my tax file residing on a third party server, even if only temporarily. I only use downloaded versions.It is the Netfile process in your tax file that sends you the confirmation, not the tax software provider.
I will just note the Canada Revenue Agency has suffered two serious data breaches / cyber-attacks, whereas NETFILE certified software providers 0.
Cheers,
Doug
6:38 pm
March 15, 2019
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Doug said
I will just note the Canada Revenue Agency has suffered two serious data breaches / cyber-attacks, whereas NETFILE certified software providers 0.
Cheers,
Doug
Yes, that is why I still prefer to file my return manually and send it by Canada Post. Don't trust the Internet. Of course, I am helpless if "they" hack the CRA and get my info that way.
Too bad can't use Windows 7 any longer. No wonder Bill Gates is one of the top 5 richest man or woman in the world.
9:51 pm
October 27, 2013
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Every year, fewer and fewer T1 returns are paper filed. The percentage is down to 7.5% of such returns and declining ~0.5 percentage point per year. It may be down to less than 1% of all returns by 2035.
Please write your comments in the forum.