Flash player D/L and active x pop up

I need to install Adobe Flash player to do my taxes and I did (it's in my installed programs file) but the site still says I need to install it. I restarted my computer but I get the same thing request!
Also, I keep getting the yellow bar to install Active x and when I click it it shuts down windows and now I keep getting a pop up box every minute "do you want to allow software such as ActiveX controls and plug ins to run?
HELP! What do I do? I am a computer dummy!
Thanks.