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What is TurboTax Live purchased through retail?


TurboTax Live Federal & State, plus E-file is an online-only product that lets you get help and guidance from a tax expert when preparing your taxes. You can work with a tax pro whenever you need, and even talk to one live while you both look at your return. Your purchase includes a 16-character product activation code for one federal and one state tax return, plus e-file.


All TurboTax Live Federal & State, plus E-file products provide:


Help from a tax expert when you have questions about your return

A line-by-line review of your return by an expert before filing

“Live Help” to connect with a live tax expert by chat or one-way video on your screen (which means that you see them, but they won’t see you)

Unlimited access to help from an expert year-round

100% Accurate Expert Approved Guarantee

We want you to feel 100% confident when you file, so we offer the following guarantee: if you pay an IRS or state penalty (or interest) because of an error that a TurboTax expert made while providing topic-specific tax advice, a section review, or acting as a signed preparer for your return, we'll pay you the penalty and interest.


Our TurboTax Live Federal & State, plus E-file products include:


TurboTax Live Deluxe with State

TurboTax Live Premiere with State

TurboTax Live Self-Employed with State

TurboTax Live Federal & State, plus E-file is available for purchase in select stores and online through these approved retailers (product availability may vary. See retailer website for details):


  • Amazon
  • Best Buy
  • BJs
  • Costco
  • Dell
  • Newegg
  • Office Depot Max
  • Sam's Club
  • Staples

Note: TurboTax Live Federal & State, plus E-file isn't available in the CD/Download software format.


How do I activate TurboTax Live purchased through retail?

Before you continue: If you purchased a TurboTax download or CD for Windows or Mac from retail, go here for more info on activation.


To activate your TurboTax Live Federal & State, plus E-file product, you'll need the 16-character activation code (XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX) that can be found:


On the product box insert; OR

In the retailer e-delivery confirmation email and/or account order history

Note: If you purchased TurboTax Live online (not in-store) and didn’t receive your activation code or cannot find it, contact the retail company it was purchased from to request a copy of the activation code. If you purchased TurboTax Live in-store and have lost your activation code, contact us.

Go to activate.turbotax.com to sign in or create an account, and then enter your activation code (even if you've already started your taxes for tax year 2020, you’ll still need to activate the code).

Select Continue and then select your state. (Note: If you have income from multiple states, select the state that requires income tax filing. Make sure it’s the correct state, because you can’t change this once you start your taxes.)


What is TurboTax Live purchased through retail?

TurboTax Live Federal & State, plus E-file is an online-only product that lets you get help and guidance from a tax expert when preparing your taxes. You can work with a tax pro whenever you need, and even talk to one live while you both look at your return. Your purchase includes a 16-character product activation code for one federal and one state tax return, plus e-file.


All TurboTax Live Federal & State, plus E-file products provide:


Help from a tax expert when you have questions about your return

A line-by-line review of your return by an expert before filing

“Live Help” to connect with a live tax expert by chat or one-way video on your screen (which means that you see them, but they won’t see you)

Unlimited access to help from an expert year-round

TurboTax Live includes help from a tax expert when you need it, and the option for a final review of your return. There are two ways to add these benefits.


1. Start with TurboTax Live

When you first start your return you can choose a TurboTax Live product:


  • TurboTax Live Basic
  • TurboTax Live Deluxe
  • TurboTax Live Premier
  • TurboTax Live Self-Employed

You'll see the cost for your version of TurboTax Live when you select it.


2. Upgrade to TurboTax Live if you started with a different TurboTax product

If you originally selected TurboTax Free Edition, Deluxe, Premier, or Self-Employed, you can add TurboTax Live.


You can do this at different points while working on your return, but to add it now:


  1. Sign into your current account and open or continue your return.
  2. Select the Upgrade button in the left menu.
  3. Select the Live tab to select your product.
  4. You'll see your TurboTax Live price in this screen.


Don't worry about paying for TurboTax Live before you speak to a tax expert. You'll pay when you file your taxes.

If you have a question about your return and aren’t sure if it requires the help of a Tax Expert, enter your question in the Search box and we'll let you know if you need a tax expert.

Note: TurboTax Live is available for TurboTax Online customers only. TurboTax Live isn't available in the TurboTax CD/Download software.