How much does it cost to E-file a state tax return for 2024?

[DoninGA]

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@tomrata wrote:

Yes, its annoying. First you are asked how you want your refund - either check or direct deposit. If you choose check and move on and you dont want to pay the state filing fee with  card, the software makes you file direct deposit so the fee can come out of your refund. Now you must pay another $40 for direct deposit handling - which you denied in the first place.

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If you do not want to pay the state e-file fee of $25 then all you need to do in the File section of the program is indicate that you want to File by Mail.  Then on the following screen select you do not want to file the federal return at this time.  This will allow you to print the state return for mailing.

Go back through the File section of the program and you should see that you are not being charged anything, either on your credit card or paying the $40 processing fee when Pay with Federal Tax Refund is selected.

[aljoydouglas]

How do I get a refund for the state filing fee?

Your software states that the fee is $20 but when I checked out it charged me $25.

If the fee has gone up you should update the software with the new amount.  

I would like to request a refund please.

[DoninGA]

@aljoydouglas

You will need to contact TurboTax support for the problem. Use the key words Billing Issue

See this TurboTax support FAQ for contacting support - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/account-management/contact-turbotax/L2y9...

Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

[rjd5 · Accepted solution]

Why is there a State e-file fee? It must cost Intuit about $0.00001 in processing costs as the unique State related items is already priced into the product. Somehow the Federal e-file is free five times over in the Deluxe package. Huh, what goes? This kind of pricing reflects monopoly status and nothing more: no increased cost, but increased selling price. Why won't Intuit aim for competitively driven pricing rather than extracting maximum rent indicating an grossly inefficient market place?

[MonikaK1]

The only costs associated with e-filing are those charged by a tax preparer or tax software. Depending on the software brand and version, electronic filing charges have ranged from free to around $25. Tax preparers may charge more.

See this tax tips article for more information.

We at Intuit TurboTax want our users to be completely delighted with their experience using our products and services, and successful in their financial lives and businesses. 

Once you file your return, as long as the settings to receive communication from Intuit don’t block it, you will see a pop-up message or receive an email with a survey asking you about your experience. We encourage you to leave your notes and comments there. “Voice of the Customer” notes and comments are read and acted upon.

If you are using TurboTax Desktop, you can also leave feedback at the Final Steps tab:

@rjd5 

[rjd5]

Thanks for copying the IRS page. But that  in no way answers the question. Turbo tax could be free like others. Instead it is the highest listed. So that amplifies the question rather than settling it. 

[minifleesd]

The same happened to me. Enrolled in Advantage plan but still charged $25 when I e-filed CA return in February. Called Turbotax, was told CA filing fee should be $30, so $25 after $5 Advantage discount. Is that a trick?

[VolvoGirl]

The State efile in Desktop is $25.  Minus $5 for Advantage.  So should be $20.    See this page

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/premier.jsp 

[dahnb2000]

False. I get charged an E-file fee every year to file CA tax forms.

[VolvoGirl]

@dahnb2000   What is false?  There has always been a fee to efile a state return.   I posted above it is $25 to efile a state return from the Desktop program.  It used to be $20 before March 1 then goes to 25.   If you are on the Advantage auto renew plan it is $5 less.   Or you can print and mail state for free.  Im in California too.  Oh if you buy the program from Costco or Sam’s you get a $10 rebate which is automatically applied when you pay.   

[Cincolo]

To avoid that extra state fee, I just print the forms and enter them for free in my state free tax filing website.  Or at least that's what I had done in the past.  I prefer to keep my free state for my taxes.  However, doing my daughter's it's asking if I want to use my free state for her (which I don't).  Maybe I just paid the separate fee last year.  Hers are so simple.  I think I'll just enter them on the state site for free like I have in the past.