After you file

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:

 

 

 

 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**