I believe the answer to my question --- I did not realize I was signing up for Turbotax CANADA.  So I tried to enter an American number.  (It also didn't like the date format.)

What's the format for Canadian ssn?  In America it's xxx-xx-xxxx.

It's unfortunate I can't use the Canada site; I am handicapped (injured by a teenage driver 2005, surgery replacement disk 2009), had to take disability (so I only make a few hundred per month).  The fee for simple taxes for Turbotax Canada online is $0.  The fee for American online is $59.  

As if -- I can't afford that...

<:'-/

Thanx in advance for anyone's time...