topic Purchase eFile for Illinois in State tax filing

Purchase eFile for Illinois

nello — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:27:53 GMT

I bought TurboTax Deluxe for Mac from Costco that includes a $10 credit to use on a product add-on.

How do I purchase eFiliing for my 2025 Illinois (state) return?

Thank you for your assistance.

- nello

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:55:30 GMT

What exactly did you purchase from Costco? Costco (and other retailers) can sell TurboTax Deluxe with only federal software or with federal + state included. I see both on the Costco site. If you bought the cheaper "federal" only, then in order to get state software you will need to pay $40 for a state download, and then you can use the $10 off on the $25 state e-file fee. It is a better value to buy the federal + state if you know you will be preparing a state return.

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

nello — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:14:28 GMT

During November 2025, I purchased from Costco's online store:

TurboTax Deluxe 2025 Federal E-File + State Download for Win11/Mac14, + $10 Credit In-Product

Now, can someone please tell me how to purchase eFiling for Illinois?

Thank you.

- nello

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

VolvoGirl — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:22:26 GMT

After you fill out the federal return you fill out the state return. Then when you efile state the fee is $25. The $10 credit will be automatically applied so you only get charged $15 on your credit card. That's how my Costco worked. It knows you have the $10 rebate. \

Have you installed the program yet? Did you download and activate the Desktop program with the 16 digit License Code?

How to get started with the Desktop program, install and activate it
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/product-delivery/download-software-turbotax-com/L7u9oLEkq_US_en_US?uid=luqgvzrd

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

nello — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:31:01 GMT

@VolvoGirl

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I downloaded and activated 2025 TurboTax Deluxe on my Mac.

Yes, my installed 2025 TurboTax Deluxe shows a $10 credit balance that can be used for Add-Ons.

I was trying to purchase eFiling prior to actual filing, which I recollect I was able to do in each of the past two years.

You seem to be telling me that I can NOT purchase state eFiling until I'm in the process of doing so.

Am I understanding correctly?

Is there no way to make the purchase in February and avoid the price increase that I understand is coming in March?

- nello

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

VolvoGirl — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:43:08 GMT

Gee, I don't know. You can try going though the FILE tab and pay, then stop and do not hit Transmit. I have Windows program. I'll ask a Mac user, @xmasbaby0

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:46:51 GMT

@VolvoGirl @nello I do not think the price for e-filing state using desktop increases in March. The online fees increase in March. I think the state e-file fee for desktop always stays at $25, even later in the season.

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

VolvoGirl — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:56:26 GMT

I opened a test return to see if I could pay ahead of efiling. At the bottom it does say efile fee might go up in March. Actually this is from my real filed return. Wonder how much it will go up?

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

nello — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:56:04 GMT

@VolvoGirl

Were you able to escalate my question to anyone who knows whether it’s possible to purchase state eFiliing in advance of actually filing a state return?

Thank you.

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

PatriciaV — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:19:27 GMT

The fee to e-file a return isn't charged until you actually complete the filing process. You may, however, purchase a state return module and install that software before you need it.

Re: Purchase eFile for Illinois

nello — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:32:52 GMT

@PatriciaV

Thank you.