Where to change your TurboTax username

You change your TurboTax username in your account settings, not during tax preparation. Log into your TurboTax account at turbotax.intuit.com, then look for "Account" or "Settings" — the exact location depends on whether you use TurboTax Online or the desktop version.

If you use TurboTax Online (the web version), click your name or profile icon in the top right corner after you log in. Select "Account Settings" from the menu. If you use TurboTax Desktop (the software you read), open the program, go to the "File" menu, and choose "Manage My Account" or "Account Settings."

The username field may be labeled "User ID," "Email," or "Login Name" depending on your TurboTax version and when your account was created. Some accounts use your email address as the username and do not allow you to change it separately — in that case, you would need to change your registered email address instead.

Key Takeaways

  • TurboTax usernames are changed through Account Settings, which you reach from your profile menu in the top right corner of the website or through the File menu in the desktop app.
  • Some TurboTax accounts use your email address as the login name and do not allow a separate username change.
  • You must be logged into your account to change your username, and you will need to log in again with the new username afterward.
  • If you forget your username or cannot locate the settings option, TurboTax support can walk you through the steps for your specific version.

Steps to change your username in TurboTax Online

Open turbotax.intuit.com in your web browser and log in with your current username and password. Once you are on your account dashboard, look for your name, initials, or a profile icon in the top right corner of the page and click it.

From the dropdown menu, select "Account Settings." You should see a section labeled "Login Information," "User ID," or "Username." Click the edit button (usually a pencil icon) next to the current username. Type your new username into the field, then click "Save" or "Confirm." TurboTax will ask you to log in again with your new username to confirm the change.

Your new username takes effect when ready. Write it down or save it somewhere you can find it, because you will need it the next time you log in.

Steps to change your username in TurboTax Desktop

Open the TurboTax Desktop process on your computer. You do not need to be in the middle of preparing a return — you can make this change from the main menu. Click the "File" menu at the top of the window.

Look for an option called "Manage My Account," "Account Settings," or "Sign In Settings." Click it. A window will open showing your current login information. Find the field labeled "User ID" or "Username" and click the edit or change button next to it. Enter your new username, then click "Save" or "OK." The program will log you out and ask you to log back in with your new username.

What happens if your username is your email address

Older TurboTax accounts and some accounts created through Intuit's main website use your email address as your login username. If this is the case, you cannot change the username separately — you would need to change your registered email address instead.

To change your registered email, go to Account Settings the same way you would to change a username. Look for "Email Address" or "Contact Email" and click the edit button. Enter your new email address and confirm it. TurboTax will send a verification link to both your old and new email addresses. You must click the link in the new email to complete the change.

After you change your email address, that new email becomes your login username. You will use it the next time you sign in.

Reasons your username change might not work

The most common reason a username change fails is that the new username is already taken by another TurboTax account. TurboTax requires all usernames to be unique. If you see an error message saying the username is unavailable, try a different one — adding a number or underscore often works.

Another reason is that your account may be locked or restricted. This can happen if TurboTax detects unusual activity or if your account has a security hold. If you cannot access Account Settings at all, or if the edit button does not appear next to your username, contact TurboTax support before trying again.

If you are using TurboTax through your employer or a school, your account may be managed by that organization, and you may not be able to change your username yourself. Check with your employer's HR or IT department or your school's financial aid office.

What to do if you forget your new username

If you change your username and then forget it, go to the TurboTax login page at turbotax.intuit.com and click "Forgot User ID?" or "Can't log in?" below the login fields. TurboTax will ask you to enter the email address associated with your account. It will then send you a message with your current username or a link to reset it.

If you no longer have access to that email address, you will need to contact TurboTax support. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and the address on file ready — TurboTax will use these to verify your identity before showing you your username or letting you change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my TurboTax username to something completely different?

Yes, as long as the new username is not already in use by another TurboTax account and meets TurboTax's requirements (usually 6 to 32 characters, no spaces). If your account uses your email address as the username, you would need to change your registered email address instead.

Will changing my username affect my tax returns or stored information?

No. Your username is only used to log in. All your tax returns, documents, and account information stay exactly the same. You will still see all your previous years' returns and data after you log in with your new username.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No, your password and username are separate. You can change one without changing the other. However, if you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that in Account Settings as well.

What if I share a TurboTax account with someone else?

Changing the username will affect anyone who logs into that account, since there is only one username per account. If you and another person both need to access TurboTax, you should each have your own separate account with your own username and password.