Pay to e-file but still have to mail a check.

[ryane87]

What's the point in paying to e-file when I have to mail a check in? And why doesn't TurboTax desktop make that clear prior to me giving them my money. Also why do they want my checking account information if I have to mail a check?

[xmasbaby0]

Are you receiving a refund --- or do you owe tax to the IRS or state?

You can enter banking information so that your refund will be sent as a direct deposit.  You can choose whether you want a direct deposit or a check mailed to your address.

Or are you talking about mailing a check to pay your tax due?   You have options for paying tax due---one of those options is to mail a check or money order to pay your tax.

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.

[Opus 17]

If you owe tax, you can pay be electronic debit from your bank account, there is no need to mail a check unless you want to.

Turbotax's fees are for preparation of a tax return.  Turbotax can't guarantee that you can e-file because that depends on the IRS, the state, and other circumstances outside TurboTax's control.  You pay for a prepared return that you can e-file, or print and mail if you can't e-file for some reason. 

The only time you pay extra to e-file is if you are using Turbotax installed on your own Mac or PC from a CD or download.  Then, there is an extra fee to e-file a state return.  If you pay the fee and then can't e-file your state return, you can request a refund of the state e-filing fee.

[ryane87]

Yes, I used the desktop version from Costco which includes free state prep. That's not the point, though. I paid to e-file. I wouldn't have done that if I knew I had to mail a "post filing coupon" along with a check to the state. It would be just as simple to print the whole return and mail it. The software however didn't make this clear so I didn't realize I would be paying to e-file and then having to mail a check.

[VolvoGirl]

You can probably go to the state's website and pay online.  

[xmasbaby0]

The packaging for the CD/download does tell you that there is a fee to e-file the state return.  As for mailing a check to your state to pay tax due----most states want you to pay by check or money order, or by using their own tax web site.   Apparently you chose to mail a check instead of using the state's site.    There are a lot of states that simply do not allow direct debit entered on the state return as a way to pay them.