When I downloaded my Turbo Tax DeLuxe for Macs I received the message "cannot use application Turbo Tax DeLuxe with this version of Mac OS X" What should I do?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

Turbo Tax Deluxe for Mac 2012 needs Mac OS X 10.6.8 or newer. Buy Snow Leopard > http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard Then, make a backup, insert the DVD and upgrade. Finally, open  > Software Update and update to the most recent version

David... As mende1 mentions, OS 10.6.8 is required for TurboTax 2012. We sent out an email alerting customers to this November or at to those we could identify as Mac customers. If you decide not to upgrade your OS, you can use TurboTax Online where all your previous years' information can be transferred Online. That way you won't lose any of your historical tax information. Plus, when and if you ultimately decide to upgrade OS, you can then download your TurboTax data file to your computer and go back to using the desktop version of TurboTax-- all without losing any data.

I hope this information helps.

Bob Meighan

VP, TurboTax

I am confused about machine requirements for Turbotax 2012 CD/download. My machine is an Intel Core 2 Duo which is a 64 bit machine. Yet I have read that T-2012 requires that Software Overview "64-bit kernel and extensions" is "yes".

My machine says "no" . So what exactly is required? I believe I can upgrade my machine to 10.8 OS. Will I then be able to use Turbotax 2012 CD/download?

I believe I can upgrade my machine to 10.8 OS. Will I then be able to use Turbotax 2012

The turbotax system requirements are found on their website here.

Mac OS 10.6.8 will be sufficient.

Your machine will run as 64 bit as required. More importantly, have you tried to install the software to see if it works. I expect it will.

Hi Bob

As a side note, it would probably be good if Quicken actually indicated that Turbotax is only for Mac OS 10.6.8 or higher on their box instead of just say for "MAC" so people would not have to waste a a lot of time trying to figure out what is wrong. I can only tell you I am very disappointed as a 10+ year user of Turbo Tax, and will plan ahead next year (i.e. look for a new product).

Not everyone is ready to jump to the cloud. I prefer having my data on my computer but If I do go online it won't be with TurboTax. This issue is bound to grow as it is still early in the tax season.

Eva

Eva315... The TurboTax box does list the system requirements. However, if you're suggesting that the TurboTax requirements be disclosed on the Quicken box, that will not happen as the boxes were produced over 6 months ago and the Quicken box is for the Quicken product, not the TurboTax product.

We realize that not everyone is ready for the cloud, but most are ready as evidenced by the growth of the TurboTax Online service. While we would like to be available and compatible with every conceivable OS, it simply is not possible when you're producing a seasonal product within a very short timeframe. We have to prioritize and have made the decision to support the functionality that Mac 10.6.8 offers. Deciding to support earlier versions of Mac OS would have compromised a much better experience for the vast majority of our Mac customers for the benefit of a very small number of customers.

By the way, with TurboTax Online, you still have the ability to save and store your data file on your computer.

Thanks for your feedback and I certainly hope we have an opportunity to keep you.

Bob Meighan

VP, TurboTax

Bob, just to be clear, the box says "Mac OSX v10.6.8 or later"...nowhere does it say the computer has to be 64-bit. My Macbook uses 10.6.8, but has a 32-bit Intel Core Duo processer.

I did get your email advising that the new Turbo Tax would be "Intel only".....but nothing about 32 vs 64-bit.

Dave Lynch

Dave... I appreciate the clarification. I'll do what I can to update the materials that can be updated at this time.

Bob Meighan

VP, TurboTax

Bob...I just bought TT2012 Deluxe today from Sams and as you might have guessed I have 10.6.8 and a 32 bit processor. I cannot upgrade to a higher OS namely Lion. How do I protect my sale price? My tax returns go back to about 2005-2006 with TT so TT should have my files ready for transfer to 2012. Does the online download even support 32 bit? Thanks very much.

Mike499... First, thanks for your purchase again this year. All your previous years' tax return are just fine. They are completely compatible with the TurboTax software prior to 2012. Whether you download the 2012 TurboTax software or use the CD, you'll still need Mac OS 10.6.8 or higher and 64 bit processor. Download or CD doesn't change that.

With that said, I would encourage you to use TurboTax Online where you'll be able to prepare your 2012 return AND transfer all prior year information forward. Nothing is lost and in fact, everything is preserved. Furthermore, TurboTax Online allows you to save your data file to your computer when you're done so if you subsequently get a new Mac, you can switch back to the "desktop" version without losing any historical data. Plus, the system requirements for Online are significantly less. I'm sure you won't have any issues there.

If this is something you wish to pursue, please drop me an email at "turbotax_advocate" + "@intuit.com" (put these together for my valid email) so I can ensure you won't pay any additional money to switch to Online.

Thanks for raising a great question.

Bob Meighan

VP, TurboTax

Bob...thanks for a speedy response. It sounds like I did not know that TT Online was different than a download. I might try getting a refund from Sams Club first. The CD is not defective just imcompatible. If they give me a hard time about software being opened then I will take you up on your offer. Typically what I do is buy the CD at sale for 39.95, efile the federal, and print and mail the state. Thanks again.

Mike4999... Pls contact me anyway.

I 2nd what Mike499 said.

Turbo Tax 2012 will not run on a mac with the Intel Core Duo . Turbo Tax 2012 only runs on 64 bit macs. You can find out what chip you have by clicking the apple icon on your computer (upper left corner) and selecting "About this Mac". For further instructions read this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3696 . Why in the world Turbo Tax would do this to 32 bit owners is beyond me. It's bad enough they make you pay for a brand new copy of Turbo Tax every year. They at least should have had the courtesy to put the 64 bit system requirements for macs on front of the box. Perhaps, it's time to try H&R tax software...better than paying for a whole new 64 bit mac to run TT. Has anyone used H&R tax software before?

I appreciate your explanation Bob, and I appreciate that you're participating in these discussions. I don't quite understand though. 64-bit macs can run 32-bit applications. I could understand if Turbo Tax was a video game that required the extra cpu cycles to render 3D graphics, but it's not. I'm definitely never using the cloud to store and manage my taxes. Not happening.