Is that time of year again when you're reviewing your subscriptions and realize you no longer need that TurboTax plan? Maybe your tax situation has simplified, or perhaps you've decided to go with a different service. Whatever your reason, canceling a subscription can sometimes feel like navigating a maze. But don't worry, we're here to guide you through the process of canceling your TurboTax subscription with clear, step-by-step instructions.
Are you ready to take control of your subscriptions and ensure you're only paying for what you truly need? Let's get started!
How to Cancel Your TurboTax Subscription: A Step-by-Step Guide
Canceling your TurboTax subscription primarily depends on the type of TurboTax product you're using – whether it's an online version, a desktop version with Advantage auto-renewal, or if you're trying to cancel an in-progress return. We'll cover the most common scenarios.
Scenario 1: Cancelling TurboTax Online (Before Filing/Payment)
If you've started a return with TurboTax Online but haven't paid or filed yet, the process is quite straightforward. You haven't truly "subscribed" in the traditional sense; you've just started using their online service.
Step 1: Access Your TurboTax Online Account
First things first, head over to the TurboTax website and log in to your account. Make sure you're using the correct credentials for the account you wish to clear.
Step 2: Navigate to "Tax Tools"
Once logged in, look for the "Tax Tools" option on the left-hand menu of your program screen. This is usually located within your active tax return.
Step 3: Select "Clear & Start Over"
Under "Tax Tools," you should see an option like "Clear & Start Over". Click on this.
Important Note: This action will erase all the data you've entered for your current tax return. If you're absolutely sure you want to cancel and start fresh (or move to a different service), proceed.
Step 4: Confirm Your Action
TurboTax will likely ask you to confirm if you're sure you want to clear your return. Select "Yes" to proceed.
Once confirmed, your entries will be cleared, and you'll be prompted to select a TurboTax product again, effectively ending your "in-progress" session without a charge.
If you can't see the "Clear & Start Over" option, it might be because you've already paid for the online edition or registered the Free edition. In such cases, you might consider opening a new account with a different username, as up to 5 accounts can be tied to the same email address.
Scenario 2: Cancelling TurboTax Advantage (Auto-Renewal for Desktop Products)
The TurboTax Advantage program is designed for automatic renewal of your desktop software each year. If you've opted into this, you'll need to proactively cancel it to avoid future charges.
Step 1: Sign in to Your TurboTax Advantage Account
Go to the dedicated TurboTax Advantage sign-in page. Do not confuse this with your regular TurboTax account login if they are separate. Ensure you're signing into the correct Advantage account.
Step 2: Locate "Your Product" or "Manage My Products"
Once logged in, look for a section that says "Your Product" or "Manage My Products" on the right side of your screen. This is where your Advantage subscription details are listed.
Step 3: Remove All Products
Under each product listed in your Advantage account, you should see an option to "Remove product." Click this for every product you wish to remove from your automatic renewal.
This is the crucial step. By removing all products, you are effectively telling TurboTax that you no longer wish to receive automatic renewals for those specific software versions.
Step 4: Verify Cancellation
After removing all products, you should see a "Sign up now" button where your products used to be. This indicates that your subscription has been successfully canceled. If you still see products listed, ensure you've clicked "Remove product" for each one.
Pro Tip: It's always a good idea to keep a record of your cancellation, such as a screenshot or a confirmation email, for your peace of mind.
What if I missed the cancellation deadline?
If you've already been charged for the current year's product because you missed the early November renewal deadline, you might still be able to get a refund. Once you receive your CD or download, you can submit an online refund request within 60 days of receipt based on their satisfaction guarantee. Check the TurboTax website for the most up-to-date refund policy and procedures.
Scenario 3: Cancelling an In-Progress TurboTax Live or Paid Online Edition
If you've upgraded to TurboTax Live, or paid for any online edition, and now wish to cancel, the options might be slightly different.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation
Have you paid for the service?
Have you filed your return?
Are you trying to downgrade to a different product (e.g., from Deluxe to Free Edition)?
Step 2: For Downgrading (Before Payment/Filing)
If you haven't paid or filed and want to downgrade to a less expensive TurboTax Online product (e.g., from Deluxe to Free Edition), you can:
Open your return.
In the left menu, select "Switch Products."
Then, select "Downgrade."
Be aware that if your tax situation requires features only available in higher-tier products, you might be prompted to upgrade again if you try to enter information that falls outside the scope of the downgraded product.
Step 3: For Paid or Filed Returns (General Account Deactivation/Information Removal)
Once you've paid for a TurboTax online edition or filed your return, simply "canceling" in the traditional sense isn't typically an option. TurboTax stores your return for record-keeping.
However, you can:
Clear your data (if not filed/paid): Use the "Clear & Start Over" option as described in Scenario 1.
Deactivate your account: While you can't always "delete" an account, you can often remove personal information from the database or deactivate it. This usually involves going into "Intuit Account" (your overarching Intuit profile) and then "Account settings". From there, you might be able to modify or remove data under "Profile" and "Security." Be cautious when doing this and only remove information you are comfortable with.
Contact Customer Support: If you're facing specific issues or need to discuss a unique situation (e.g., an erroneous charge, or a desire to completely remove your account data), contacting TurboTax customer support directly is your best bet. They can often provide tailored solutions or guide you through options not readily available in the self-service portal.
Key Considerations When Cancelling:
Timing is Everything: For auto-renewals, cancellation before the renewal date (typically early November for desktop products) is crucial to avoid being charged for the next tax year.
Refunds: If you've been charged and wish for a refund, be aware of TurboTax's refund policy, which usually involves a 60-day window after receiving the product.
Data Retention: Even after canceling or deactivating, Intuit (TurboTax's parent company) may retain copies of your tax returns for legal and compliance purposes.
Multiple Accounts: It's common for users to accidentally create multiple TurboTax accounts. If you're still being charged after canceling, use their account recovery tool to check for other user IDs linked to your email addresses.
Desktop vs. Online: Remember the distinction between the online service (where you pay upon filing) and the desktop software with an Advantage auto-renewal plan. The cancellation steps differ.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my TurboTax subscription is active?
You can check your active TurboTax subscriptions by logging into your TurboTax account (for online versions) or your TurboTax Advantage account (for desktop auto-renewals) and looking for "Your Products," "Subscription," or "Account Settings."
How to cancel TurboTax Advantage automatic renewal?
Sign in to your TurboTax Advantage account, go to "Your Product" or "Manage My Products," and select "Remove product" for each listed item. Once all products are removed, your auto-renewal is canceled.
How to get a refund after canceling TurboTax?
If you've been charged, you may be eligible for a refund within 60 days of receiving your TurboTax product. You'll usually need to submit an online refund request through the TurboTax website.
How to clear an in-progress TurboTax Online return?
Log in to your TurboTax Online account, click "Tax Tools" on the left menu, then select "Clear & Start Over." Confirm your decision to erase all entered data.
How to contact TurboTax customer support for cancellation issues?
You can usually find their contact information (phone number, chat, or community forums) on the TurboTax "Support" or "Contact Us" pages on their official website.
How to stop receiving emails from TurboTax?
You can typically unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email you receive from TurboTax. You might also be able to adjust email preferences within your Intuit account settings.
How to know if I have a TurboTax Advantage subscription?
If you receive an annual email notification about your upcoming TurboTax desktop software charge in early November, or if you specifically signed up for the "Advantage" program, you likely have this subscription.
How to switch to a different TurboTax product?
If you haven't paid or filed, you can often switch products within TurboTax Online by selecting "Switch Products" from the left menu and choosing "Downgrade" or selecting a different product.
How to deal with multiple TurboTax accounts?
If you suspect you have multiple accounts, use the TurboTax account recovery tool on their website to find all user IDs associated with your email addresses. Log in to each to manage or cancel subscriptions as needed.
How to confirm my TurboTax cancellation was successful?
For TurboTax Advantage, seeing a "Sign up now" button confirms cancellation. For online versions, successfully clearing your return or not being prompted for payment indicates cancellation. Keep screenshots and look for confirmation emails.