Where to find and change your license code
Your license code in TurboTax is stored in your account settings, not in the tax return itself. To switch it, you log into your TurboTax account online, go to Account in the upper right corner, then select Licenses and Products. From there you can see which license code is currently active and add or switch to a different one.
The process takes about two minutes. You will need the new license code ready before you start — it is a 16-character code that came with your TurboTax purchase or subscription, usually in a confirmation email or on the product packaging.
If you are working on a tax return that is already in progress, switching your license code will not erase your work. Your return stays where it is, and the new license code takes effect the next time you open TurboTax or refresh your browser.
Key Takeaways
- Your license code lives in your TurboTax account settings under Account > Licenses and Products, not inside your tax return.
- You need the 16-character license code from your purchase confirmation email or product packaging before you can switch.
- Switching a license code does not delete or move your tax return — your work stays in the same account.
- The new license takes effect when ready after you add it, but you may need to refresh your browser to see the change.
Step-by-step: adding a new license code
Log into your TurboTax account at turbotax.intuit.com. Click your name or profile icon in the upper right corner and select Account.
On the Account page, look for the section labeled Licenses and Products. Click Add a License Code or Enter a License Code (the exact wording varies by year). Paste or type your 16-character code into the box that appears. Click Add License or set up.
TurboTax will verify the code. If it is valid, the new license will appear in your Licenses and Products list. If you have multiple licenses, you can see which one is currently active — it will be marked as your primary license or show a checkmark.
When you have multiple licenses in one account
If you have added more than one license code to your account, TurboTax will let you keep both active. However, only one can be your primary license at a time. The primary license is the one that controls which version of TurboTax you can use — for example, if your primary license is for TurboTax Home, you cannot access TurboTax Self-Employed features even if you have both licenses in your account.
To change which license is primary, go to Account > Licenses and Products and look for an option to Set as Primary or Make Primary next to the license you want to use. Click it, and that license becomes your primary one.
This is useful if you buy a new version of TurboTax in a later year and want to keep your old license on file for reference, or if you have both a personal and business license and need to switch between them.
Troubleshooting a license code that will not work
If TurboTax rejects your license code, the most common reason is a typo. License codes are case-sensitive and contain both letters and numbers. Copy and paste the code directly from your confirmation email rather than typing it by hand — this eliminates the risk of misreading a character.
If the code still does not work, check that you are entering it in the right place. Some people try to enter a license code during the initial tax return setup, which is a different step from adding it to your account. Always add your license code through Account > Licenses and Products first, before you start or open a return.
If the code is correct and you are in the right place but TurboTax still says it is invalid, the code may have already been used on a different account. Each license code can only be activated once. Contact TurboTax support with your confirmation email and the code — they can verify whether it has been registered and help you resolve the issue.
Switching licenses on the TurboTax desktop app
If you use the TurboTax desktop software instead of the online version, the process is slightly different. Open TurboTax and go to File > Account (or Help > Manage My License depending on your version). Look for an option to Add a License Code or Enter a License Code.
Type or paste your 16-character code and click set up or Add License. The desktop app will verify the code and add it to your account. If you have multiple licenses, you can set which one is primary through the same menu.
After you switch your license code in the desktop app, you may need to restart the program for the change to take full effect. If you also use TurboTax online on the same account, the license change will sync across both versions within a few minutes.
What happens to your tax return when you switch
Your tax return is tied to your TurboTax account, not to a specific license code. When you switch codes, your return stays exactly where it is. You can open it, edit it, and file it with any license code that is active on your account.
The license code you use only determines which features and forms are available to you. For example, if you switch from TurboTax Home to TurboTax Self-Employed, you will suddenly have access to Schedule C and business deduction forms that were not available before. If you switch back to Home, those forms will still be there in your return, but you will not be able to edit them until you switch back to Self-Employed.
For this reason, it is best to choose the right license code before you start your return, rather than switching partway through. If you realize you need a different version, switch first, then open your return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same license code on two different accounts?
No. Each license code can only be activated once, on one account. If you try to use it on a second account, TurboTax will reject it as already registered. If you need TurboTax on multiple accounts, you need separate license codes for each one.
What if I lost my license code?
Check your email for the confirmation message from your TurboTax purchase — it will have the code. If you cannot find the email, log into your TurboTax account and go to Account > Licenses and Products. Your active license code will be displayed there. If you need help recovering a code you purchased but cannot access, contact TurboTax support with proof of purchase.
Do I need to switch my license code every year?
If you have a subscription, no — your subscription renews automatically each year and you do not need to enter a new code. If you buy a new license code each year, you will need to add it to your account when you purchase it. TurboTax will prompt you to do this during the setup process.
Will switching my license code affect my filing status or dependents?
No. Your license code only controls which forms and features you can use. It does not change any of the information in your return — your filing status, dependents, income, and deductions all stay the same.
Can I switch back to an old license code?
Yes, as long as the old code is still active on your account. Go to Account > Licenses and Products, find the old code in your list, and set it as primary. You can switch between any active licenses on your account as many times as you need.