How TurboTax Helps Protect You

Keeping your personal information safe is a top priority at TurboTax. That’s why we have enhanced security measures across all TurboTax products that strengthen account authentication to make sure it’s really you signing into your account. Regardless of whether you’re signing in on a computer or mobile device, we want to do our part to make sure your information is safe from identity theft.

When was the last time you updated your password? If it’s been a few months since you’ve changed your password, it’s highly recommended to set a new one now and to use unique passwords for each online account that you have. Here is a quick look at our security enhancements and best practices to protect your account:

Account Authentication + Best Practices

When you create or access your account, TurboTax has additional security features to authenticate your identity:

• Multi-factor authentication: If you’re a TurboTax Online customer, you have the option to set up your account to require multi-factor authentication every time you log in. This feature is enabled for all TurboTax Online and mobile accounts to help you authenticate your identity and securely sign into your account. When you access your online account, TurboTax will automatically send a unique, six-digit code to your pre-designated, trusted device to be used in combination with your password to access your account. The safest methods of multi-factor authentication are on mobile or Google where it’s more difficult for someone else to gain access to your information.
• Touch ID: If you have an iOS device, you can use Touch ID to link your unique fingerprint to your TurboTax Online account authentication for added security.
• Soft token technology: You can install a soft token application on your mobile device that will deliver a randomly generated, six-digit number that is needed to access your TurboTax account. The number, which changes periodically and can only be used once, provides an additional security option.
• Secure passwords/computers: Use a different password for each online account and make sure to change your login passwords frequently (tips for creating a strong password). It’s also recommended to use a second factor authentication with email providers to ensure the security of your email account. Double check that your computer and Internet browser is also up to date by running updates on a regular basis. Additionally, use an anti-virus software program and make sure you have it set up to update and scan your system automatically.

Login and Device History

Intuit’s Security Center will let you manage your account and see all of the login activity and devices used to access your account, giving you real-time insight.

Real-Time Notifications

TurboTax sends you a notification whenever certain changes are made to your account, such as signing in for the first time on a new device, updating a payment method or changing a password.

If you are a victim of identity theft, contact your affected financial institutions (banks, credit unions, credit card companies) and contact the following organizations which maintain information about your credit ratings: Equifax.com, Experian.com and TransUnion.

For more details about our expanded security measures for taxpayers and tax professionals, and more tips for keeping your information safe online, visit Intuit’s online security center.