How can you get a refund for TurboTax tax preparation since the government mandated free filing for people that make under 66k/year.

[Critter]

The government mandated no such thing ... so TT is not required to refund anyone using a paid version.

https://www.propublica.org/article/turbotax-deliberately-hides-its-free-file-page-from-search-engine...

TurboTax Response to ProPublica Article on 4/26/19

TAX NEWS

April 26, 2019 / TurboTaxBlogTeam

TurboTax offers two free tax filing products: TurboTax Free Edition and TurboTax Free File Program, which is part of IRS Free File. Our intent in implementing our search practices was to make clear the distinction between these products by educating customers so they could find the product they were looking for. We did this by generating original content and publishing answers to frequently asked questions about the IRS Free File Program and the TurboTax Free File product, and optimizing that content to rank highly in organic search. While we believe amplifying this content meaningfully informed taxpayers and contributed to IRS Free File growth, we recognize that our overall search approach may have made it harder for some customers to find a TurboTax Free File Program landing page. So we are undertaking a thorough review of our search practices to ensure we are achieving our goal of increasing eligible taxpayers’ awareness of the IRS Free File Program and its availability.

For two decades Intuit has publicly supported and provided free tax preparation to low and moderate income taxpayers. In 1999 Intuit began the Intuit Tax Freedom Project donating online tax preparation and e-filing services to low-income taxpayers. Four years later, IRS began the Free File Program which we were proud to join to continue our work and assistance to those who need it most. Over the course of these years, we have donated more than 39 million federal tax return filings directly to taxpayers or through the IRS Free File Program and more than 17 million state tax return filings through the 23 State Free File Programs, free of charge.  And we have engaged with more than 500 community-based organizations to educate filers about IRS free tax assistance programs. We, along with our 9,000 employees, are proud of that work and are deeply committed to it as a company.

We are pleased to see that the IRS Free File program grew 6% this year, and 11% over the last two years.  We are also encouraged that during this tax season our TurboTax Free File Program donated nearly 1.2 million tax returns free of charge to taxpayers. Additionally, another 50 million taxpayers are eligible to file for no cost through TurboTax Free Edition.

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-news/turbotax-response-to-propublica-article-on-4-26-19-43756/

[paigerigg]

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/listen-to-turbotax-lie-to-get-out-of-refunding-overcharged-custom...>

[paigerigg]

It appears that TT is being less than honest about their obligation to provide a free filing option. Which the government did indeed mandate they provide.

[VolvoGirl]

There are 2 different free versions.  Are you Military?  The regular Turbo Tax Free Edition is different than the Free File website
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572617-what-s-the-difference-between-free-file-program-and-free-e...>

And it's only free up to 66,000 if you are Military.  Otherwise it's only free up to 34,000.

[Critter]

They agreed to be part of the FREE FILE program along with a dozen different companies, it was not mandated.  And at no time were they required to educate the world about the IRS FREE FILE options ... that was the government's obligation.  Do you also think that grocery stores should have to tell their clients where the local free food banks are even if they donate product to it ?   This is no different.

[Critter]

Have you even looked at all the red tape on the IRS FREE FILE options ?   All the companies have some sort of restrictions  and none of them are getting heat on this ... only Block & TT since they are the 800lb gorillas in the industry and only this year because some rag mag posted an " expose" piece on the subject ... this has been going on the same way for years but now it is wrong ?

[Critter]

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">https://www.irs.gov/filing/free...>

[paigerigg]

You must have stock in or be employed by Inuit t be so passionate about this subject.

[Critter]

Neither ... I just hate uninformed rabble rousers that throw stones before they know the facts.

[paigerigg]

I’m glad you’re here to inform the internet. Your mother must be proud.

[Zbucklyo]

So do I, @Critter#2. And you are one of them.

[Critter]

And FYI ... if you google search  FILE TAXES FOR FREE right now there are 2 other companies listed first ... the first does not link to the IRS site and has paid options just like TT and the second has free federal but charges for the state and again doesn't link to the IRS site ... why don't you yell at them also ?   Only the third entry is the IRS FF site. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=file+taxes+for+free&rlz=1C1NHXL_enUS703US703&oq=file+taxes+for+free&...