TurboTax fees this year were ridiculous

[mgd3132]

For one I was never given the option to pay or not to pay I was simply told I cannot e-file my taxes through them without paying some BS rate. That then told me if I don't get the deluxe package maybe it was the premium package I don't know it was the most expensive one 59.99 to do absolutely nothing because I did all of it myself and it was very difficult way harder to maneuver than it was last year the only difference I had was I claim my son wow I had to type in an extra social security and since I worked in Kansas and Missouri I got charged double that and then somehow it ended up to be $211 you guys charged me I thought okay this is bull**bleep** but whatever I'll pay it and then I get my direct deposit through some other company and they took a couple hundred as well how is this right or legal. All I got to say is I don't care if it's TurboTax or that BS company that you guys are too lazy to do yourself so have them send it one of you guys are sending me what you owe or my lawyer is going to be so far up your **bleep** you'll be busier than you are filing tax forms and screwing people over why did you charge me by the way when you did absolutely nothing like literally absolutely nothing I did every single piece of paperwork on there so I had to pay $200 some dollars simply to use your platform on a simple tax return I couldn't be more upset with TurboTax I will never use them again in fact I'll go out of my way to tell people not to use it my return was literally about 500 less because of TurboTax on top of that they told me don't worry this deluxe fee will only be charged once even though you're filing in two states we won't charge you for both and then it shows where they minus that Missouri but then went ahead and charged me it anyways most misleading **bleep**ty tax company there is. I could have went to Jackson Hewitt and had somebody literally do everything for me and got more back than doing it all myself through their **bleep**ty platform I couldn't be more upset with you guys you definitely owe me money you need to look into it and give it back to me or I'm calling the better Business bureau and you'll have to pay it back that way either way you're paying it back and trust everyone I've told this to has ended up having to you don't want to go that route with me pay my money back **bleep**ing crooks

[xmasbaby0]

It sounds like you got confused about how the software pricing is structured when you use online TurboTax.  When you use a paid version of online--such as Deluxe, you pay for the federal return and you pay for each state return.  If you choose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, then you pay an extra fee of $39.99 (or $45 if you are in CA) to the third party bank.  You do not have to choose that option.  You can pay your fees upfront before you file and then you will not get that extra refund processing fee nor will you be involved with the third party bank.

As for  "I did all of it myself "    and "you did absolutely nothing like literally absolutely nothing I did every single piece of paperwork on there"   that is untrue.   Instead of sitting down with an IRS  instruction book more than 100 pages long, paper forms, a calculator, and a pencil with a good eraser, you used software that was programmed to know all of the federal and state tax laws pertaining to your information and to do all of the calculations for you.   All you had to do was enter the information and let the software do the rest for you.   

There is no extra charge to e-file.   When you use online  TurboTax, the fee is the same whether you e-file or mail the return in an envelope.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY?  I WANT THE FREE EDITION

The information that you can enter in Free Edition is pretty limited now.  Thanks to the new tax laws that began for 2018 returns, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's.  Everything goes on a Form 1040 that has three extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.  Using the standard deduction instead of itemizing does NOT mean you will not need any of those schedules.https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4511011-what-happened-to-the-1040a-and-1040ez   If you started in the Free Edition and entered any data that required any of those three schedules, you have to upgrade to a paid version and if you are watching the screens carefully you are alerted to the upgrade.

When you chose to “start”  in the Free Edition —

Directly below the words “Free Edition” there is a blue link that says “For simple tax returns only”   If you click that link it brings up this information:

You can file with TurboTax Free Edition if you have a simple tax return.*

*A simple tax return is Form 1040 only.

Situations covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:

• W-2 income
• Limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV
• Claiming the standard deduction
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC)
• Child tax credits
• Student Loan Interest deduction

Situations not covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:

• Itemized deductions
• Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
• Business or 1099-NEC income
• Stock sales
• Rental property income
• Credits, deductions and income reported on schedules 1-3

How does TurboTax make any money?

Customers with more complex tax situations will file with our paid TurboTax products that provide all the additional forms and guidance they need. We also offer additional benefits that go beyond filing your taxes, but they are optional and are not required to file simple taxes for free. We hope that, over time, as our customers with simple returns need more capabilities as their financial situations change (for example owning a home, having a child, managing investments), they have loved our products and services so much that they will choose our paid TurboTax offerings to prepare and file their returns.

Or—-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free.  There are 8  free software versions available from the IRS Free File site

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

How can I see my TurboTax  fees?   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online

If your TurboTax fees are higher than expected, you can reduce them by removing add-ons:

• Remove Premium Services
• Remove MAX Defend & Restore
• Remove a state
• Remove PLUS Help & Support
• Remove Pay With Your Refund

[xmasbaby0]

@mgd3132 

And....here is a link to the software fees which are clearly posted on the TurboTax website:

ONLINE 2022

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

[Opus 17]

Turbotax Online is free for simple returns.  If you require forms or situations not covered in the free return, you will be offered the option to upgrade.  If you refuse, you can file your return with another company.  When you are ready to checkout and file, you are again shown your fees, and you have the option to stop there, and not pay.  Of course, if you don't pay for turbotax, you can't file with Turbotax, and you need to use another provider.  (If you walk into a restaurant and refuse to pay, should they serve you?).  There are also a number of additional services and benefits with fees, but they are optional. 

Normally, paying the fees and filing constitutes agreement to the fees, and Turbotax does not officially offer refunds.  You can try calling customer support and see if they will make an exception for you. 

[Bolgavets]

I am looking to file my 2023 Taxes and I have used Turbo Tax in previous years. The usual cost of around $60 is up now to $129. I'm going to be looking somewhere else. I file my own taxes to SAVE MONEY, not to give it away.

[ee-ea]

@Bolgavets 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-account-billing/review-fees-turbo...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-subscriptions/remove-turbotax-liv...

[JAFO59]

After 14 years of using Turbotax for NO EMPLOYMENT, NO STOCKS, NO W2, NO 1099, I AM RETIRED and simply rent out a small house next door and they want to charge me $193 to file federal and state. (NO MAX SERVICE)  GOOD BYE TURBOTAX, HELLO MY CPA WHO ONLY CHARGES $500 AND PROVIDES THE ENVELOPS AND POSTAGE.  - More people need to send a clear and loud message to TurboTax that this EXTORTION wont be tolerated.

[VolvoGirl]

@JAFO59   Do you use the Online version?  You should try the Desktop program.  You can buy a lower version like Deluxe.  All the Desktop programs have the same forms.  And there are more features in the Desktop program over the Online version.  

You can buy the Desktop CD or the Download program here or find it in stores and online (and maybe on sale)
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download

[jennlc77]

I agree.  I found a link for current offer on the TurboTax website for $116 and it keeps increasing to $129 despite the offer.  This is bait and switch tactic. I am not happy.  Looking at other options now.