You're looking to part ways with your TurboTax account, and that's perfectly understandable! Whether you're switching tax software, no longer need the service, or simply want to manage your digital footprint, knowing how to properly delete your account is key. It's not always as straightforward as clicking a "delete" button, especially with financial services, due to data retention regulations.
Let's dive in and guide you through the process, step by step, to ensure your TurboTax account and data are handled as you wish.
Step 1: Assess Your Situation and Download Essential Documents
Before you even think about deleting anything, let's take a crucial first step: Have you filed taxes with TurboTax? This is incredibly important because it dictates what you can and cannot delete immediately.
If you've filed taxes: The IRS (and other tax authorities) require you to keep tax records for a certain period, usually 3-7 years (and sometimes longer in specific cases like fraud or substantial income omission). TurboTax, being a tax preparation service, is legally obligated to retain copies of your filed returns for a certain period. This means a complete "deletion" in the sense of all data vanishing might not be instantly possible for your tax returns themselves.
If you haven't filed taxes, or only started a return you didn't complete: You'll likely have more flexibility in terms of data removal.
Regardless of your filing status, the absolute first thing you should do is download all your past tax returns and any associated documents from your TurboTax account. Think of this as creating your own secure backup. You never know when you might need them for loans, audits, or simply for your own records.
Sub-heading: How to Download Your Tax Returns from TurboTax
Log in to your TurboTax account on a desktop or laptop computer (the mobile app might have limited functionality for this).
Navigate to your Tax Timeline or My Tax Returns section.
For each tax year you've filed, look for an option to download a PDF copy of your return. Download both the federal and any state returns.
Save these PDFs in a secure location, like an external hard drive, a password-protected cloud storage, or even a printed physical copy in a safe place. Consider saving them to multiple locations for redundancy.
Step 2: Understanding "Deletion" with TurboTax (and Intuit)
It's important to clarify that TurboTax accounts are actually part of the larger Intuit Account system. Intuit is the parent company that owns TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mint. Therefore, when you request to delete your TurboTax account, you're essentially making a request to delete data associated with your Intuit Account.
While you might not be able to permanently erase your entire Intuit account instantly (especially if you have other Intuit products or filed tax returns), you can request to delete specific product data and effectively "deactivate" or sever ties with your TurboTax profile.
Step 3: Initiating the Data Deletion Request through Intuit Account Manager
The most direct and recommended way to manage your data deletion is through the Intuit Account Manager.
Go to the Intuit Account Manager: Open your web browser and go to
accounts.intuit.com.Sign in with your TurboTax (Intuit) credentials.
Locate "Data & Privacy": Once logged in, look for a "Data & Privacy" or "Data privacy" link in the left-hand menu. Click on it.
Find "Delete your Intuit data": On the Data privacy page, you should see an option related to deleting your data. It might be labeled "Delete your Intuit data" or simply "Delete." Click "Continue" or "Select."
Make a Delete Request: You'll likely be presented with an option like "Make a delete request" or similar. Click on it.
Choose the Account/Product Data: This is a crucial step. You'll be given the option to choose which account and which product data you want to delete. Make sure to select TurboTax (and any other Intuit product data you wish to remove).
Follow the On-Screen Instructions: Intuit will guide you through the rest of the process, which may involve:
Verification: You might need to verify your identity again, potentially through a code sent to your email or phone.
Confirmation: You'll be asked to confirm your understanding that deleting data is permanent and may affect future use of the service.
Reason for Deletion (Optional): They might ask for a reason for your request, which is typically optional.
Keep in mind that this process may take some time to complete. Intuit will usually send you an email confirmation once your request has been processed.
Step 4: Consider "Clear & Start Over" (If You Haven't Filed)
If you started a tax return with TurboTax but haven't paid the fee or e-filed it yet, you have another option: "Clear & Start Over." This doesn't delete your entire Intuit account, but it will erase all the data you've entered for that specific tax return. This is useful if you simply want to abandon a particular return without fully closing your account.
Sub-heading: How to Use "Clear & Start Over"
Log in to your TurboTax account.
From the main screen where you see your current tax return, look for a "Tax Tools" or "Tools" option. This is often on the left-hand sidebar.
Click on "Tools."
From the dropdown menu, select "Clear & Start Over."
Confirm your choice. This action is irreversible for that particular return.
Important Note: If you've already paid for your TurboTax Online fee or registered a free version, you typically cannot use the "Clear & Start Over" function to remove all data. In such cases, you'll need to proceed with the Intuit Account Manager deletion request as described in Step 3.
Step 5: Contacting TurboTax Customer Support (If You Encounter Issues)
While the Intuit Account Manager is the primary method, sometimes you might encounter issues or have specific circumstances that require direct assistance. In such cases, contacting TurboTax customer support can be beneficial.
Sub-heading: How to Contact TurboTax Customer Support
Visit the TurboTax Support Page: Go to the official TurboTax support website.
Look for Contact Options: Search for "Contact Us" or "Phone Support."
Be Prepared: Have your account details (user ID, email associated with the account) ready. You may also need to answer security questions to verify your identity.
Clearly State Your Request: Explain that you wish to delete your TurboTax account and any associated data. Be polite but firm.
It's worth noting that some users have reported that TurboTax support may initially suggest that accounts cannot be fully deleted, but rather "deactivated" or simply abandoned. Persist in your request to delete data through the Intuit Account Manager process, as that is the official channel for data deletion requests under privacy regulations.
Step 6: Verifying Data Deletion and Ongoing Privacy
After submitting your deletion request, monitor your email for any confirmation from Intuit. It might take some time for the deletion process to be completed.
Even after deletion, remember that Intuit (like any financial service) has certain data retention obligations. While your personal data associated with the account might be deleted, copies of your filed tax returns will likely be retained for the legally mandated period. This is for your protection and for compliance with tax laws.
It's always a good practice to:
Keep your downloaded tax returns secure.
Change passwords for any linked accounts if you suspect any compromise.
Be vigilant about phishing attempts related to tax software or financial accounts.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage the deletion of your TurboTax account and ensure your personal data is handled according to your preferences and legal requirements.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about deleting a TurboTax account, with quick answers:
How to permanently delete my TurboTax account?
You can request data deletion for your TurboTax account through the Intuit Account Manager's "Data privacy" section. While Intuit is legally required to retain copies of filed tax returns for a period, you can remove personal data associated with the account.
How to delete TurboTax data if I already paid for the service?
If you've paid for TurboTax, you cannot use "Clear & Start Over." You must initiate a data deletion request through the Intuit Account Manager's "Data privacy" section, specifying TurboTax data for removal.
How to delete a TurboTax account on my phone?
While you can access your TurboTax account on your phone, it's generally recommended to use a desktop or laptop for the full data deletion process via the Intuit Account Manager website, as mobile app functionality might be limited for such sensitive operations.
How to delete an old, unused TurboTax account?
Log in to the old account through the Intuit Account Manager (accounts.intuit.com), navigate to "Data privacy," and submit a delete request for the TurboTax data associated with that account.
How to make sure all my personal information is removed from TurboTax?
To ensure your personal information is removed, follow the data deletion steps via the Intuit Account Manager. Be aware that copies of filed tax returns will be retained by Intuit for legal compliance, but other personal data associated with the account should be deleted upon request.
How to delete a TurboTax return I started but didn't file?
If you haven't paid or e-filed, you can use the "Clear & Start Over" option within the TurboTax online platform for that specific return. This will erase all data entered for that tax year.
How to contact TurboTax customer service for account deletion?
You can contact TurboTax customer support via their official website's "Contact Us" or "Phone Support" sections. Be prepared to verify your identity and clearly state your request to delete your account data.
How to know if my TurboTax account deletion was successful?
Intuit typically sends an email confirmation once your data deletion request has been processed. Keep an eye on your inbox for this notification.
How to retrieve old tax returns after deleting my TurboTax account?
It's critical to download all your past tax returns as PDFs before initiating any deletion process. Once your account data is deleted, accessing these returns through TurboTax may become difficult or impossible, even if Intuit retains them for legal purposes.
How to protect my privacy with TurboTax and other financial services?
Always use strong, unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, download and securely store copies of important documents, and be wary of phishing attempts. Regularly review privacy policies of all online services you use.
