Audit Defense

[bearlover16]

I don't want to pay for Audit Defense.  I do I get out of being charged for this.  I did not add this when it asked me to.  It is just adding it.  

[MinhT1]

Please read these instructions in this TurboTax Help topic on how to remove Premium Services.

[mesquitebean]

@ bearlover16 

I'm suspicious you may be using desktop software (CD/download.)

Are you using desktop software (CD/download), and are you located in California or a non-California state?     If in California and using desktop software, did you choose to pay any TurboTax fees (such as the state efile fee) out of the Federal refund?

The FAQ mentioned in the comment above is for Online TurboTax users living in California.

[Stagemom]

I am also unable to remove Audit Defense before getting through Ready to File. Under the Review tab I clicked "no thanks" on the Audit Defense, but there is still no way to get around it in the "You're almost ready to file page on the final File tab. I do not owe Federal taxes, I am getting a refund. I am a New Hampshire resident. I owe New Hampshire state taxes, but there is no option to pay NH taxes by credit card. The only choices are direct debit or pay by check. I am using the cd/download version of TurboTax Premier (free Federal e-file, State e-file for $25). I have never purchased a Premium Services bundle. The only other discussions on this thread that I can find were from a California filer back in March 2020.

[JeanneLO]

Please follow the instructions in this TurboTax FAQ to contact customer support for assistance to delete Audit Defense if you have followed the recommended steps:  What is the TurboTax phone number?

If you want to pay your New Hampshire tax by credit card you can check the box that you will "mail a check" in TurboTax then go to the New Hampshire website to pay by credit card. There is a fee to pay by credit card. See this in the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Department FAQ: 

"You will have the option to pay by ACH debit or credit/debit card. Please note that credit card payments will direct you to a third party vendor site to complete your transaction. If you choose this option, the service provider will charge a service fee equal to 2.30% of your total payment. The Department of Revenue currently accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover."

@Stagemom

[Stagemom]

You suggest that I call Customer Service for instructions on how to remove/decline Audit Defense "after following the recommended steps." WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED STEPS to decline Audit Defense? Previous instructions to another filer asking the same question about declining  Audit Defense were from a 2019 California filer who had purchased Premiere Services. I never bought Premiere Services.  I purchased the CD/download version of 2020 TT Premiere. In past years I have been able to say "no thanks" when offered Audit Defense. This year clicking "no thanks" doesn't remove or allow one to get past  the "Add Audit Defense" button. 

PS - In my original post I only included my information about payment methods for NH filers because I didn't know if the payment method was somehow interfering with removing Audit Defense. Thank you for your time.

[mesquitebean]

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@ Stagemom wrote:

You suggest that I call Customer Service for instructions on how to remove/decline Audit Defense "after following the recommended steps." WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED STEPS to decline Audit Defense? Previous instructions to another filer asking the same question about declining  Audit Defense were from a 2019 California filer who had purchased Premiere Services. I never bought Premiere Services.  I purchased the CD/download version of 2020 TT Premiere. In past years I have been able to say "no thanks" when offered Audit Defense. This year clicking "no thanks" doesn't remove or allow one to get past  the "Add Audit Defense" button. 

PS - In my original post I only included my information about payment methods for NH filers because I didn't know if the payment method was somehow interfering with removing Audit Defense. Thank you for your time.

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California instructions are strictly for California filers.  All other states use a different method.

You mentioned a button titled "Add Audit Defense".  I assume that is on an order review/payment screen, but I have no way to see that screen you mention to test it, but are you sure that button is not just offering you another chance to add it before paying?

Also what method are you using to pay for your state efile fee of $25?  Are you paying upfront by credit/debit card, or are you choosing to pay that $25 fee out of your Federal refund?   If you choose to pay that fee out of your Federal refund, there is an additional $40 service fee.  You'll avoid that fee by changing the payment to credit/debit card and paying upfront.   If you chose that fee payment method, then don't confuse that extra $40 fee for Audit Defense.  That $40 fee is for the "pay out of refund" option, which can be avoided as I mentioned by removing that payment method and paying upfront.

When you go to the Review tab and then subtab Audit Protection, which of the following screens are you seeing right after the Audit Risk meter?

If it's offering Audit Defense and has a No Thanks, then that implies that you should not already be signed up for it. (image 1).

However, if that screen says "You've already signed up to receive.....", then it should have a checkmark box where you can remove Audit Defense. (image 2)

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[Stagemom]

Mesquitebean, Thanks for your reply. In the Review tab, after the Audit Risk color bar screen the next screen says "don't take the risk [of an audit]" so there's an offer to buy Audit Defense. I can click "no thanks" to refuse the offer. There are several more review screens including one where there's another button saying "Add Audit Defense" even though I just declined it. To me clicking any button which clearly says "Add" seems like an "opt-in" button, not an "opt-out" button. But since you said it might just be another offer to buy Audit Defense I decided to click on "Add Audit  Defense" to see what happened. The screen changes and there is a second chance to "remove" Audit Defense, so that's what I did. Then I could proceed to e-file.  So your guess was right that it was just another offer to purchase Audit Defense. However, IMO users shouldn't have to decline Audit Defense TWICE in order to proceed.  I've used TT for several years; this is the first year I had to decline Audit Defense TWICE. Clearly a money making scheme. It would be helpful if there was some statement or phrase so users know they can change their mind or decline Audit Defense again.  BTW, I paid to e-file my state return using a credit card. Thanks.

[Goo2]

I have used Turbo Tax for years - this is the first time I have ever had so many issues.  I am  probably  done with it now. . . just sayin