topic Re: What should I do if my activation code isn't accepted? in Troubleshooting

What should I do if my activation code isn't accepted?

gerr1969 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 22:42:23 GMT

Bought from Costco but TurboTax won't accept the activation code.

Re: What should I do if my activation code isn't accepted?

TurboTax_Susan — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:33:01 GMT

First, please make sure that you have purchased the right product. The codes for TurboTax Online will not work with TurboTax Desktop & vice-versa.

Second, if you bought TurboTax at a retailer (Costco, Walmart, Staples, etc…), please make sure that you are using the code that came in the package. It may be on a slip of paper or on a scratch-off card. It is not on the outside of the box or on your receipt.

If you have bought TurboTax Online, please go to turbotax.ca/activate to use your code before you start your returns. You can see this TurboTax FAQ for step-by-step instructions: In TurboTax Online, how do I use a prepayment code? Please note that you can only use the code once in one account. Using the code again will give an error message.

If you have bought TurboTax Desktop, you will be asked for the licence code when you install the software. Please see this TurboTax FAQ for more information on the licence code: Where is my TurboTax licence code? You can download the current version of TurboTax Desktop edition here: Choose the current TurboTax Desktop edition you need (for Windows). You can download older versions of TurboTax Desktop edition here: Where can I download the Desktop edition of TurboTax?

If you are still not able to resolve your code issue, please contact our phone support team phone support team for more assistance.

Re: What should I do if my activation code isn't accepted?

ELLE1501 — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 03:34:06 GMT

After many years of doing my own taxes, I was frustrated that my code wasn't working. After reading a lot of these threads, some things I found weren't clear after getting help when I called in. I didn't realize that I purchased the "download version" and not the desktop. So the person on the phone sent me a link to download turbotax. The error message that I kept on getting was "Somethings not right try re entering your code". So instead of logging into my account like how I've been doing all these years, I have to download it onto my laptop. I hope this helps and is more clear than some of the responses that you were given.

Re: What should I do if my activation code isn't accepted?

2025tax-car-mike — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:38:10 GMT

when i try to activate code, it states it is not valid. I went to turbo tax.ca activate and it does not show my deluxe online edition.

Re: What should I do if my activation code isn't accepted?

TurboTaxAniqua — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:07:36 GMT

@2025tax-car-mike First, please make sure that you have purchased the right product. The codes for TurboTax Online will not work with TurboTax Desktop & vice versa.

Second, if you bought TurboTax at a retailer (Costco, Walmart, Staples, etc.), please make sure that you are using the code that came in the package. It may be on a slip of paper or on a scratch-off card. It is not on the outside of the box or on your receipt.

If you are still not able to resolve your code issue, please contact our phone support team for more assistance.