topic Why did I pay twice? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Why did I pay twice?

SMcNair — Wed, 28 May 2025 04:31:17 GMT

Big mistake I bought Turbo Tax at Costco, paid about 70 dollars for Federal and State. When I filed it cost me $25 to file the state. I was getting a $10 credit when I said to take it from my return, but then I didn't feel comfortable signing a waver of some sort. When I paid with the credit card the$10 discount or bonus disappeared and I ended up paying $25 for the state.
Turbo tax chose the short form or standard deduction which would have been free if I didn't buy it at Costco!

It really was not easy, I wish I had gone to someone to do it.

Re: Why did I pay twice?

mesquitebean — Wed, 28 May 2025 05:51:21 GMT

It's good you didn't choose to pay the state efile fee out of the Federal refund. That payment option has an additional $40 service fee ($45 for California filers). That's what the disclosure form was about--it would have been permission to set up a temporary bank account at a third-party bank to receive your refund and subtract the fees, then send the rest to you. So you actually avoided the $40/45 fee by paying upfront with credit/debit card.

However, I'm not sure why you still didn't get the $10 credit for using the product purchased at Costco. If you're sure it charged you the full $25 and not $15, then if you wish, you can phone TurboTax Support and see if they will make good on that $10 credit that comes with your Costco purchase.

Support hours are 5AM-5PM Pacific, Mon-Fri this time of year.

FAQ: What is the TurboTax phone number?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

You also wrote: "Turbo tax chose the short form or standard deduction which would have been free if I didn't buy it at Costco!"

A lot of people in all the editions use standard deduction. Since the amount was increased a few years ago, many people no longer have enough deductions to itemize. The Free Edition, however, is only for very limited tax returns--essentially it can prepare only a basic Form 1040 and these possible entries: Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Student Loan Interest. If your return required any additional form, you would have had to use a paid edition.

Re: Why did I pay twice?

robtm — Wed, 28 May 2025 05:58:09 GMT

You didn't pay twice. When you buy TurboTax from a retailer the federal return is e-Filed for free but if you want to e-File the state return there is a filing fee. You can always print and mail the state return for no extra fee.