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?

Tim... Yes, your TurboTax data files are 100% compatible so you'll have no problem using Windows this year. In response to your suggestion for "information overload", we know that the more caveats your present, the less likely buyers are to read this stuff. It's called information fatigue. I would also argue that presenting this gotcha to a segment of your population that represents about 0.5% is probably not the best approach. By the way, I got your email and will send you the link you need.

Bob Meighan, VP TurboTax

I am having the same trouble. I cannot install Turbo Tax on my 10.5.8 MacBook even though I have for the last 4 years. I have spent hours trying to deal with live chat and had a live talk with someone in India but still don't know where I stand. They sent a download and i can't use that either. Bit of a surprise and disappointment not

to mention that I can't afford to lose $63.00.

Patcee... Sounds like you may not have the necessary processor in your computer (64-bit). If so, contact me at "turbotax_advocate" + "@intuit.com" and I'll provide you with your options.

Bob Meighan, VP TurboTax

Patcee and Bob, A macbook 4 years old and with system 10.5.8 on it certainly has a 64-bit processor. This is my configuration also. I am afraid of upsetting the stability of my system by upgrading to 10.6.8, as I'm sure there will be conflicts in other programs that will arise.

Face it, Bob, Turbo tax is a turd this year for those of us mac users. I'm still awaiting a response from anybody else who has found a workaround (other than the "cloud") for using TT for 2012 taxes, who has a system more than 4 years old.

duplicate, sorry

Message was edited by: RomyfromNY

RomyfromNY... If you read earlier posts, you'd know that your options are TurboTax Online, TurboTax for iPad or TurboTax for Windows. They are all fine options and all data files are 100% compatible (yes, you can transfer from 2011 to 2012 using any of the options). If you have a simpler return, you can even use SnapTax (TurboTax for iPhone). Despite what you may think about TurboTax this year, the vast majority of customers are very happy-- even those with 32-bit Macs who migrated to Online or to the iPad. They found the same functionality in these products/services that they have found with the native TurboTax for Mac applications. So I encourage you and others to give one of the options a chance before you reach an opinion about TurboTax.

Bob Meighan, VP TurboTax

I have spent 6 hours online with turbotax support today trying to file 1 return. First with tech support, who provided me with the info that my 10.6.8 laptop system would not work due to processor, next with billing who advised that the only way to use the service code was to use the online form, next with someone who said they were in Sales when I got the whole return completed and then the Review/Payment screen did not have the blue key entitled "I have a service code" so that I could at least get 1 returned filed for the price of the CD. Then they offered to provide me with a mac download copy - which gave me the same error message as the original CD I purchased.

I have tax returns back to 2007 that I used TurboTax with - but this year I have spent the whole day trying to get basic assistance - the screens they refer you to in their support documents are not set up to use the "FREE" codes you are provided with in customer support - why even provide the support if it's not going to function?

Irishwdm... The "service code" works only with TurboTax Online. The Review / Payment screen does in fact have a link to use the service code-- no exceptions. The exact screen is found in the File section and the screen says, "Review Your Order". If you are using software version of TurboTax (which I don't believe you are), there is no comparable functionality. Go back to this section/page and look toward the bottom of the page where it says, "I have a service code".

Sorry you've had so much difficulty.

Bob Meighan, VP TurboTax

RomyfromNY...you should be more worried about the stability of your system by NOT upgrading to 10.6.8. 10.6 is faster, more stable and just provides a much better experience overall than 10.5. Also, I'm sure many developers are aware of 10.6's popularity, so it might be supported for just a bit longer. I run it on every Mac I own (other than my two G4 systems that can't...those are on 10.4).

Grab an external drive and a Snow Leopard disc...install it on the external and try it out for yourself before upgrading your main OS, if you still have doubts. You'll probably be glad you did, and not just for TurboTax.

Thanks for your concern yyr. I have found 10.5 to be incredibly fast and stable. In addition to the cost of upgrading the OS, I am sure my version of Finale (an essential one in our house) will not work if I upgrade to 10.6.8, so that means an additional cost to upgrade something else. Our 10.5 laptop is only 4 years old. You'd have PC users screaming from the rooftops if TT didn't work on older windows versions. I think it was a TT decision based on the assumption that Mac users are less likely to be luddites, to also own other devices which can be a workaround to this problem. There is no doubt my system is stable now, and I don't plan to mess with it at this point. Your observation is duly noted, however.

Can Bob or someone reliable comment if the 64 bit processor is enough for installing Turbotax Deluxe on a Mac with Intel core 2 Duo processor running 10.6.8 or are 64-bit kernel extensions required?

Thanks,

anbhat.

64-bit processor is sufficient.

Bob Meighan, VP TurboTax

Thank you Bob, I just installed my copy of Turbo Tax and the installation was a breeze.

Update.

Bob,

I appreciate the fact that you are on here responding. As you might imagine, like other MAC customers that purchased your software believing they could use it only to find out they couldn't after opening the software and attempting to install it, I feel very frustrated right now.

I read through nearly every post. I didn't see anywhere your explanation as to why the TT Deluxe packaging only indicates that for MAC I have to have an Intel-based processor, not an Intel Core 2 Duo at least, which is what you have to have for a 64-bit MAC. It also only indicates that I have to have MAC OS X 10.6.8 or higher and no-where does it indicate that it has to be 64 bit. In fact for windows hosts it indicates that a windows user can either have 32-bit or 64-bit. By not mentioning anything about 64-bit being required for MACs, I assumed it was also available in both 32-bit and 64-bit for MACs, as I'm sure several other customers did.

I don't care about why Intuit did what it did with regard to going to 64-bit. There are only two things I care about. 1) The fact that your packaging is deceptive, and 2) Where and how can I get my refund? You know as well as I do that retailers almost never give refunds for opened software.

I'm not about to spend a ton of money just to upgrade just so I can use your product. It will be cheaper for me to use a tax preparation agent. Addtionally, as Intuit has already proven that they are untrustworthy by the way they did up their packaging, why on earth would I want to trust my personal data to them in the cloud?

I know I can contact you at the address you've given, and you'll have an email there shortly. I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer.

Respectfully....