TurboTax e-filing fees for State is misleading, $25 instead of $20 as mentioned in software

[VolvoGirl]

Every March the early prices expire and increase.  In the Desktop CD/Download program the State Efile fee is $20 but increases to 25.

But there will be a delay in Desktop program between March 1 when the price goes up and the next time the program update comes out, usually on Thursdays.  It will show the $20 efile price but you be charged 25.  So it should show the right price after the update today Thursday March 3.

[Rides_a_bike]

Beautiful documentation. I agree with bait and switch - it left a bitter taste in my mouth, especially as I had to wait for an updated 1099 (came today) before I could file. I’ve used TurboTax since 1996! Intuit has no respect for me as a loyal customer, just bait and switch and gouge me for every dollar they can. Capitalism at its stinkiest. Boo Hiss.

[theiding]

Tax processing requires a high level of trust. If I can't trust that TurboTax displays the correct filing cost (that it entirely controls itself) in the software but instead has the guts to allow their "Experts" to proclaim that we don't need to worry because prices are subject to change without notice then I could not be more disgusted with this company. 

Last time I filed with TurboTax. Respectfully,

Your Ex-customer of 26 years

[73Bruin]

I also got caught up in this sleazy bait and switch tactic.  Turbotax could have updated the price multiple times after March 1st but it was probably more profitable to cheat their customers!

FWIW, I complained about this in a different thread and got the same BS call the non provided customer support number and mention billing issues response.  The person I talked to was clueless and after many long waits (I played solitaire) while she had to go to a secondary support person for more info multiple times.  Her response was to send me a link to this thread and when I asked if this would get result in a refund she said she didn't know.  Total BS. 

[AnnoyedInCT]

Totally agree with the many comments that this is a disgusting (and, I imagine, illegal) bait-and-switch.

I'm disgusted every year that I pay Intuit/TurboTax for mediocre software that should be given away for free by the US Government to all taxpayers, esp. since the main reason it's not provided for free by the US Treasury is because Intuit has lobbied fiercely against taxpayer interests for over two decades (https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-fi[product k...).

In recent years, I have e-filed my federal and NY taxes but printed out my CT taxes and mailed them via the USPS because I wasn't willing to pay Intuit's outrageous e-filing fee. I'm ashamed and angry Intuit takes so much of my money. Printing-and-mailing my CT taxes every year has been my small protest.

This year, my wife talked me into e-filing and paying the $20. After typing in my bank account info and credit card information (for the "$20" fee), the final page showed I would be charged $25! I would have printed out my CT forms again this year if I had known it was $25, not $20. I was truly suckered.

Intuit is a very scummy company, getting rich by screwing American taxpayers year after year after year and buying off Washington for the privilege of making tax season just that much more painful and unpleasant!

[theiding]

I did some research and it looks like HRBlock has a very good alternative to TurboTax. Didn't find similar incidents of dishonest behavior with them, so I will use them for my 2022 tax filing. 

[mandibars]

I completely agree. We bought ours form Sam's Club, everything stated $20 and then a Sam's Club $10 credit. State filing should be $10. We Go to process cc and it shows $15. Pretty petty for a multimillion-dollar company.

[xmasbaby0]

Every year the state e-file fee for the CD/download increases from $20 to $25 as of March 1.  You can avoid the state e-file fee by printing and mailing the state return instead of e-filing it.

[smfabac]

This is not a complaint about $25 instead of $20.  Just responding in this thread as I did not find a thread addressing the "Sales Tax and shipping" issue. 

As a new use (never before e-filed with TT) I stopped at the screen that says $25.    "Sales tax and shipping will be applied during check out."   I'm not willing to press continue at this point. As a new user I don't know if I can cancel after seeing the "check out" form. So I've canceled the order and will print and file this year and wait to see if there is any response to the question of "Sales Tax and shipping." 

[VolvoGirl]

I've never been charged any sales tax or shipping in California.  Never heard anyone ask about that or complain.  I would go ahead.  You will see the final charge when you need to enter your credit card.

[theiding]

True, you can save the filing fee by printing and mailing. And in addition you can save the TurboTax software license fee by manually filling out tax forms. 

[mazink]

It is not a matter about $5, but a matter of principal.  You mean the SW engineers at Intuit are so incompetent, that they cannot  get the date, and based on the date provide the  state filing fee of $25 instead of $20.  I hope google comes out with tax filing SW, so Intuit can be put out of business.

[VolvoGirl]

Every March the early prices expire and increase. In the Desktop CD/Download program the State Efile fee is $20 but increases to 25.  But there will be a delay in Desktop program between March 1 when the price goes up and the next time the program update comes out, usually on Thursdays. It will show the $20 price but you be charged 25.

If it's still showing $20, I don't know why.  They might have forget to update that this year.  But after the first year or two you will know to expect it.  

[mazink]

 @VolvoGirl

Or they intentionally did not update it to rip people off, who might not be paying attention. It is SEPT, maybe they might have missed the update after MARCH, but there has been numerous updates.  TT refuses to fix bugs, and bait people into stealing $5. Shame on them for being incompetent and if what you are claiming, forgetful.

Here is the algo for your SW team just in case they are incompetent. 

state_price= $20.00

If (current_date > MARCH) then

 state_price = $25.00

end