Feeling a bit overwhelmed with TurboTax Deluxe and considering a change? Perhaps you've realized a different version suits your tax situation better, or you simply need to uninstall the software. Whatever your reason, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring a smooth transition. Let's get started!
How to "Take Away" TurboTax Deluxe: A Comprehensive Guide
"Taking away" TurboTax Deluxe can mean a few things:
Downgrading your online product: If you started with Deluxe online and realized you don't need all its features, you might want to switch to a lower-priced (or even free) version.
Uninstalling the desktop software: If you purchased and installed TurboTax Deluxe on your computer, you might want to remove it entirely.
Deleting your data: If you've decided not to use TurboTax at all or want to start fresh, you might want to clear your tax data.
This guide will cover all these scenarios, providing clear instructions for each.
Step 1: Understand What "Taking Away" Means for Your Situation
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's clarify what you mean by "take away" TurboTax Deluxe. Are you looking to:
Change your TurboTax Online product to a cheaper version?
Completely remove the TurboTax Deluxe software from your computer (Windows or Mac)?
Delete your tax data and start fresh, either online or on your desktop?
Request a refund for your purchase?
Take a moment to consider your goal, as the steps will vary significantly. Once you've got that clear in your mind, proceed to the relevant section below.
Step 2: Downgrading Your TurboTax Online Product
If you're using TurboTax Online and want to downgrade from Deluxe to a lower-priced edition (like TurboTax Free Edition), you can often do so as long as you haven't paid for or filed your return.
Sub-heading: Downgrading Before Payment or Filing
Access Your Return: Open your TurboTax Online return by signing in to your account.
Navigate to Tax Tools: Look for the "Tax Tools" option in the left-hand menu. This might appear as a small wrench or gear icon.
Select "Clear & Start Over": From the "Tax Tools" dropdown, choose "Clear & Start Over."
Important Note: This action will erase all the data you've entered into your current return. Make sure you are comfortable with this before proceeding.
Confirm Your Decision: You'll be prompted to confirm that you want to clear your return. Select "Yes" to continue.
Choose a New Product: After clearing your return, you'll be taken back to the product selection screen. Carefully review the available options and select the version that best suits your tax needs. Look for the "Free Edition" or other lower-tier options. You may need to scroll down to see all choices.
Begin Again: You can now start entering your tax information into the chosen, lower-priced TurboTax product.
Sub-heading: Downgrading After Payment or Filing
Unfortunately, if you have already paid for your TurboTax Online product or filed your tax return, you generally cannot downgrade to a lower edition or receive a refund for the price difference. TurboTax considers the product "used" once payment is submitted, regardless of whether you print or e-file.
Exception: If you accidentally selected and paid for the wrong state, or are seeing duplicate charges, you might be eligible for a refund. Refer to the "How to Request a Refund" section below.
Step 3: Uninstalling TurboTax Deluxe Desktop Software
If you purchased the CD/Download version of TurboTax Deluxe and installed it on your computer, uninstalling it is similar to removing any other software.
Sub-heading: Uninstalling on Windows
Close TurboTax: Ensure that the TurboTax Deluxe application is completely closed before you begin the uninstallation process.
Open Control Panel (or Settings):
Windows 10/11: Right-click the Start button (Windows logo) and select "Apps and Features" or go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Earlier Windows versions: Click the Start button, then select "Control Panel". From there, choose "Programs" or "Programs and Features".
Find TurboTax Deluxe: In the list of installed programs, locate your specific TurboTax Deluxe version (e.g., "TurboTax 2024 Deluxe"). The list is usually alphabetical.
Initiate Uninstall:
Windows 10/11: Click on "TurboTax [Year] Deluxe" and then click the "Uninstall" button.
Earlier Windows versions: Select "TurboTax [Year] Deluxe" and then click the "Uninstall/Change" button at the top of the list.
Follow On-Screen Prompts: A wizard will guide you through the uninstallation process. Follow the prompts, confirming your decision to uninstall.
Restart Your Computer (Recommended): After the uninstallation is complete, it's always a good practice to restart your computer to ensure all temporary files and registry entries are properly removed.
Sub-heading: Uninstalling on Mac
Close TurboTax: Make sure the TurboTax Deluxe application is entirely closed. You can do this by clicking on the TurboTax menu in the top left corner of your screen and selecting "Quit TurboTax."
Open Finder: Click on the "Finder" icon in your Dock.
Go to Applications Folder: In the Finder sidebar, click on "Applications."
Locate TurboTax Deluxe: Find the "TurboTax [Year] Deluxe" application icon in the Applications folder.
Drag to Trash: Click and drag the TurboTax Deluxe application icon to the "Trash" icon in your Dock.
Empty Trash: Right-click (or Control-click) on the "Trash" icon in your Dock and select "Empty Trash." This will permanently remove the application from your Mac.
Optional: Remove Residual Files: While dragging to Trash removes the main application, some preference files or supporting documents might remain. To remove these, you can:
In Finder, click "Go" in the top menu bar, then select "Go to Folder..."
Type
~/Library/Application Support/and press Enter. Look for any folders related to TurboTax and drag them to the Trash.Repeat the process for
~/Library/Preferences/and look for files starting with "com.intuit.turbotax".Caution: Be careful when deleting files from the Library folder, as deleting incorrect files can affect other applications.
Step 4: Deleting Your TurboTax Data
Whether you're using the online or desktop version, you might want to delete your personal tax data.
Sub-heading: Deleting Data in TurboTax Online
"Clear & Start Over" Method: As mentioned in Step 2, using the "Clear & Start Over" option from "Tax Tools" will erase all the data entered into your current online return.
Deleting Individual Returns (if multiple): If you have multiple returns in your TurboTax Online account, you might see a "trash can" icon next to each return when you view "All Tax Returns" (usually under "My Returns"). Clicking this allows you to delete individual returns. If you only have one return, you might need to "Start a new return" first to make the "trash can" visible for your existing return.
Important Note about Account Deletion: Intuit (the maker of TurboTax) generally does not allow you to permanently delete your TurboTax account if you have paid for a product or registered a free one. They maintain records for compliance and historical purposes. However, you can remove personal information from your returns by clearing them out. If you wish to stop receiving communications, you might need to adjust your communication preferences within your Intuit account settings.
Sub-heading: Deleting Data in TurboTax Desktop Software
For the desktop software, your tax files are saved directly on your computer.
Locate Your Tax Files: By default, TurboTax saves tax data files (which usually end with a
.tax20XXextension, where XX is the tax year) in your Documents folder, typically within a "TurboTax" subfolder.Delete the Files:
Windows: Navigate to the folder where your tax files are saved. Right-click on the
.tax20XXfile you wish to delete and select "Delete."Mac: Navigate to the folder. Drag the
.tax20XXfile to the "Trash."
Empty Recycle Bin/Trash: To permanently remove the files, empty your computer's Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac).
Consider Archiving: Before permanently deleting, you might consider backing up your tax files to an external drive or cloud storage for your records. This is especially important as tax records should generally be kept for at least 3-7 years, depending on your situation.
Step 5: How to Request a Refund for TurboTax Deluxe
Requesting a refund depends on where you purchased TurboTax Deluxe and the specific circumstances.
Sub-heading: Refund for TurboTax Online
Generally Non-Refundable After Payment: As mentioned, TurboTax Online is usually non-refundable once payment is submitted because the product is considered "used."
Refund Scenarios: Refunds may be granted in specific cases:
You accidentally paid for the wrong state.
You have duplicate charges on your account.
There is a known product defect that prevents you from using the software.
How to Request:
Sign in to your Intuit Account: Go to the TurboTax website and sign in to your Intuit account.
Navigate to Products & Billing: Look for a section like "Products & billing" or "Order History."
Find Your Order: Select your TurboTax product and then locate your payment/order details.
Request Refund: Look for an option to request a refund, often indicated by three dots or a menu icon next to the order.
Submit Form: You may be directed to an online refund request form where you provide details of your situation.
App Store Purchases: If you purchased through an app store (Apple App Store, Google Play), you must request the refund directly through that app store's policies.
Sub-heading: Refund for TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download)
60-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Purchases of TurboTax Desktop products directly from TurboTax (or authorized retailers/resellers) are typically covered by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
How to Request: You'll usually need to submit a refund request through the Intuit refund portal. You'll need proof of purchase (receipt, order number).
Visit the TurboTax Support Website: Search for "TurboTax refund request" on their official support site.
Fill Out the Refund Form: Complete the online refund request form, providing all necessary details like purchase date, product name, and reason for the refund.
Await Confirmation: TurboTax will review your request, and you should receive an email regarding the status within a few business days.
Step 6: Contacting TurboTax Support (If Needed)
If you encounter issues during any of these steps, or if your situation is unique, don't hesitate to contact TurboTax customer support. They can provide personalized assistance.
Finding Support: Visit the official TurboTax support website (
turbotax.intuit.com/support Chat or Phone: Look for options to chat with a representative or find their customer service phone number. Be prepared with your account information and a clear description of your problem.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to clear my TurboTax online return and start over?
Quick Answer: Sign in to TurboTax Online, go to "Tax Tools" in the left menu, and select "Clear & Start Over." Confirm your decision to erase all entered data.
How to uninstall TurboTax Deluxe from my Windows computer?
Quick Answer: Close TurboTax, go to "Apps & features" (Windows 10/11) or "Programs and Features" (earlier Windows) in Control Panel, find "TurboTax [Year] Deluxe," and click "Uninstall."
How to remove TurboTax Deluxe from my Mac?
Quick Answer: Close TurboTax, open Finder, navigate to "Applications," drag the "TurboTax [Year] Deluxe" application to the Trash, and then empty the Trash.
How to get a refund for my TurboTax Deluxe online purchase?
Quick Answer: Refunds for TurboTax Online are rare after payment but may be considered for accidental state purchases or duplicate charges. Sign in to your Intuit account, go to "Products & billing," and look for refund options.
How to delete specific tax files from TurboTax Desktop?
Quick Answer: Navigate to your Documents folder (usually Documents/TurboTax/), find the .tax20XX file you wish to delete, and move it to your computer's Recycle Bin or Trash, then empty it.
How to downgrade from TurboTax Live Deluxe to a cheaper online version?
Quick Answer: If you haven't paid or filed, use the "Clear & Start Over" option under "Tax Tools" in your online return. This will allow you to select a different product. If you've paid or used expert services, downgrading may not be possible.
How to cancel my TurboTax Advantage subscription?
Quick Answer: Sign in to your TurboTax Advantage account on the TurboTax website, navigate to "Your Product" or "Subscriptions," and look for the option to "Remove Product" or cancel the recurring order.
How to deactivate a TurboTax Deluxe license on a computer?
Quick Answer: Simply uninstalling the software from your computer effectively "deactivates" its use on that specific machine. TurboTax licenses are typically tied to the number of installations, not a specific deactivation process.
How to ensure all my personal data is removed after uninstalling TurboTax?
Quick Answer: For desktop versions, manually delete the .tax20XX files from your computer. For online versions, use "Clear & Start Over" to erase data from your current return, but note that Intuit typically retains account information for legal/compliance reasons.
How to switch from a higher TurboTax Desktop version to a lower one without uninstalling?
Quick Answer: You generally cannot "downgrade" a desktop installed version. Once you install a specific version (like Deluxe), you would typically need to start a new return with a different, lower-tier product (if purchased separately) or manually adjust your entries if you realize your tax situation doesn't warrant the higher version. However, most desktop versions include all forms, so you simply wouldn't use the Deluxe-specific features.
