topic free state filing in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

free state filing

weezieweeks — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:58:05 GMT

I have the software loaded on my computer. I can do 5 federal returns and one state return for free. when I started my first return, it asked me if I wanted to use my free state return and I said yes. Now that I am ready to file, it is asking for payment.

How do I resolve this?

Re: free state filing

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 19:11:49 GMT

E-filing fee in desktop software

Did you purchase desktop software with state software included? They sell Deluxe both with and without state software--so you have to be careful which one you choose. And even if it does have the state software download included, that is for preparing the state. There is an extra fee to e-file the state. Before March 1 that fee is $20; after March 1 it increases to $25. You can avoid the state e-file fee if you print and mail the state instead of e-filing it.

Re: free state filing

weezieweeks — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 19:15:50 GMT

Thanks - after I posted, I went back and read information on desktop and see that it is the download, not the filing. Thanks so much for your help! I marked as best answer; is there a way to shut off more replies?

Re: free state filing

mzieno69 — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:54:31 GMT

State efile has been free for years. These dirtbags did away with that?

Re: free state filing

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 16:00:25 GMT

@mzieno69 When you use online TurboTax your fee includes e-filing for federal and state returns. When you use the desktop download there is a fee for e-filing a state return----there has been a state e-file fee for desktop software for many years. It is nothing new. If you are using desktop software you can avoid the state e-file fee if you file the state by mail.

Re: free state filing

DoninGA — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 16:03:06 GMT

@mzieno69 wrote:

State efile has been free for years. These dirtbags did away with that?

Using the TurboTax online web-based editions there are no e-file fees, federal or state.

Use the TurboTax desktop editions installed on a personal computer, there is a state return e-file fee for each state tax return e-filed. The fee is currently $25. This fee can be avoided by printing and mailing the state return.

The state e-file fee has been included in the desktop editions for at least the last 25 years.

Re: free state filing

mzieno69 — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 18:32:15 GMT

False. I have been getting the CD for years and State filing was always free. I'm also pissed about no cd's anymore and the price. I used to get the cd for about $50, now the desktop is $70 and no free State. Intuit is ripping us off.

Re: free state filing

DoninGA — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 18:36:57 GMT

@mzieno69 wrote:

False. I have been getting the CD for years and State filing was always free. I'm also pissed about no cd's anymore and the price. I used to get the cd for about $50, now the desktop is $70 and no free State. Intuit is ripping us off.

Unless you live in the state of New York, there has been a state e-file fee when using the TurboTax desktop editions for at least the last 25 years.

If you have the download license code you can purchase a CD for $10 at this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/lp/ttd/4021/