Can I sell my tax software after already using it?

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
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My neighbor wants to buy my copy of Turbotax since I am already done with it. It doesn't require you to register so I think it can be used again? any downside to reselling it?
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,585
30,836
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I think it's fine. the original purchase usually gives one "free" electronic submission or something like that.

the only difference for your neighbor is that offer would have expired and he would have to pay for it.

all identifying account info is stored with the IRS, or Turbotax uses that to track your info year by year for updating. ...something like that.
 

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
13
0
I think it's fine. the original purchase usually gives one "free" electronic submission or something like that.

the only difference for your neighbor is that offer would have expired and he would have to pay for it.

all identifying account info is stored with the IRS, or Turbotax uses that to track your info year by year for updating. ...something like that.

are you sure? i never registered the product or entered a license key. how does the IRS know unless the software automatically sends an ID number that is unique to each CD with each e-filing?
 

rcpratt

Lifer
Jul 2, 2009
10,433
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It'll only let you file state taxes once if you have the cheapest version. Which means that he could use the free version online and get the same thing.
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
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It'll let him download another state form. Few years ago, I had to file 2 state returns so I just installed it on 2 of my PCs and it let me download my free state form twice.
 

nanobreath

Senior member
May 14, 2008
978
0
0
My family purchases the H&R block version and shares it amongst ourselves. They are required by law to give 5 free e-files per "cd-key" they give out. The only thing your key should be used for is when you make the actual e-file. It isn't used for install, but as a voucher when you get to the end of the process and try to e-file. If you don't have the cd-key, or if it has been used 5 times already you will need to pay them like $25 for the e-file. You can print out your return and send it to the IRS by snail mail for no fees whatsoever.
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
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Can't say for sure, but I think TurboTax looks at the computer it is installed on to determine if you are trying to get say, NY & NJ state downloads without the extra cost for the second state. I get a copy of TurboTax from friends each year and it installs and get my state download just fine. I also do not E-File .. I prefer to Print and Mail it.
 

rasczak

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
10,437
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i imagine it knows via your ssn, which you have to use in order to complete the filing.
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
I do not think it tracks it by SSN ... too much risk and everyone that files has their own SSN .. so it must keep track of number of E-Files either thru a computer fingerprint or some other method, such as E-files per embedded license code.
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
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On a sidenote, I remember turbotax wanted to charge me $25 or some amount of money to efile my state income tax. I ended up going to Virginia's tax website and did an online efile and just plugged the numbers in from the turbotax generated forms. Ended up being free that way.
 

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
13
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On a sidenote, I remember turbotax wanted to charge me $25 or some amount of money to efile my state income tax. I ended up going to Virginia's tax website and did an online efile and just plugged the numbers in from the turbotax generated forms. Ended up being free that way.

fvck. turbotax charged me $19.95 to efile. my cc is maxed so they charged me another $29.99 to deduct the fee from my refund. $50 to efile total. im a sucka i know
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
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fvck. turbotax charged me $19.95 to efile. my cc is maxed so they charged me another $29.99 to deduct the fee from my refund. $50 to efile total. im a sucka i know

I heard TurboTax is ran by Jewish people....
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
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They charge by the file, right?

I did my taxes for the first time digitally last year, and when I saw the $10+ price tag, I just said 'fuck it'. Then I found a free piece of software released by some accounting dude in Ottawa. Worked good, got it done, will use again this year, and will try to donate some money to the guy.
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
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Why wouldn't you just give it to him if you're done with it?

If he has to pay the 20$ fee, who cares its cheaper then the software would be for him.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
i eat bagels at starbucks. wtf is your point?

just poking fun at ya


I didn't know people still bought tax software. With all the free sites out there that do a good job, why spend the money?

I've used Taxact for the past 3 or 4 years and I never pay more than $20 total for state and federal.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
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just poking fun at ya


I didn't know people still bought tax software. With all the free sites out there that do a good job, why spend the money?

I've used Taxact for the past 3 or 4 years and I never pay more than $20 total for state and federal.

Majority of the sites do not allow you to make a binary copy - only PDF.

So switching between sites can be a pain if you have alot of detailed info previosuly entered that gets saved off.

Also, then playing what/if games using online S/W is a pain and very impractical.

I can make a master copy of a return and then easily subtract items to see what ould happen.
then I do not have to go through the effort of re-entering. Just pull back my master copy.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
Majority of the sites do not allow you to make a binary copy - only PDF.

So switching between sites can be a pain if you have alot of detailed info previosuly entered that gets saved off.

Also, then playing what/if games using online S/W is a pain and very impractical.

I can make a master copy of a return and then easily subtract items to see what ould happen.
then I do not have to go through the effort of re-entering. Just pull back my master copy.

I see what you're saying. So the software lets you do that kind of thing?

I don't itemize, so my returns are pretty simple.
 

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
13
0
just poking fun at ya


I didn't know people still bought tax software. With all the free sites out there that do a good job, why spend the money?

I've used Taxact for the past 3 or 4 years and I never pay more than $20 total for state and federal.

:awe: i know dude, just fvckng with ya. does taxact allow direct deposit? i just like the turbotax interface. so easy, even capt caveman can do it.
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
just poking fun at ya


I didn't know people still bought tax software. With all the free sites out there that do a good job, why spend the money?

I've used Taxact for the past 3 or 4 years and I never pay more than $20 total for state and federal.

Dude they have GPS in their program! GPS!