Refund filing fee since Federal and State filings were rejected?

[strawman18]

My Federal and State returns were rejected. I followed TuboTax instructions to correct to no avail. As a result I mailed my returns. Since I am not able to file the State return electronically will I be refunded the $19.99 state filling fee?

[HelenC12]

If you used the TurboTax Online version, you don't pay for e-file.

Generally, no, TurboTax won't refund the state e-file fee unless it is one of the exceptions below.

Because the TurboTax CD/Download state e-filing fee covers transmission costs and does not guarantee acceptance, it's our policy to not issue refunds except under these special circumstances:

• You weren't able to successfully e-file because of a tax situation your state government doesn't support.
• The rejection is caused by an override in your state return that we instructed you to enter as a workaround to a known product issue.
• A known program error or state government problem blocked you from successfully e-filing your state return.
• You were accidentally charged a second e-filing fee when you resubmitted your state return.

If any of these situations apply to you, you can contact us for a refund.

Source: TurboTax FAQ

[gputvinski]

Hi, I paid to have my NJ state return electronically filed on April 22, 2020 which was rejected.  It was Order number [PII removed] in the amount of $26.65, charged to my visa credit card.  

I have tried numerous times to refile and the return continues to be rejected by the federal.  Therefore I am now filing both Federal and State by mail and request a refund for this charge.  

Please let me know if there is anything more I need to do to get this refunded at this time.  

Thanks. 

George [PII removed]

[JotikaT2]

It depends.

If you used the online software, you are paying for the forms and not necessarily fees to electronically file your return.

If you used the downloaded software or a CD, you can contact us using the link below.  

Let the agent know what happened and they will be able to assist you. 

Contact TurboTax 

[RockonSteady]

I was not given the service expected because my e-file got rejected which I think was not my fault.  Turbo Tax almost twisted your arm to e-file.  The e-file was rejected, why should I have to pay for a service that never too place?  I strongly believe that your no-refund policy is unfair and should be deemed criminal.  It's like Turbo Tax is really taking advantage of the situation.  My e-file was rejected because of an AGI problem, which I double-checked.   My 2019 return was processed with Turbo Tax and the AGI reflected on the 2019 return reflected is the same one I indicated on my e-file for 2020.  Can any one in the Turbo Tax world give me assistance on the subject?

[mesquitebean]

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@ RockonSteady wrote:

I was not given the service expected because my e-file got rejected which I think was not my fault.  Turbo Tax almost twisted your arm to e-file.  The e-file was rejected, why should I have to pay for a service that never too place?  I strongly believe that your no-refund policy is unfair and should be deemed criminal.  It's like Turbo Tax is really taking advantage of the situation.  My e-file was rejected because of an AGI problem, which I double-checked.   My 2019 return was processed with Turbo Tax and the AGI reflected on the 2019 return reflected is the same one I indicated on my e-file for 2020.  Can any one in the Turbo Tax world give me assistance on the subject?

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This is mainly a user community forum, but we can tell you how to speak to TurboTax Support if it becomes necessary, but we may be able to help you efile your return.   TurboTax Support is hesitant to refund Online TurboTax since the fees are for return preparation-- no matter if printed and mailed or efiled.  Efiling is free in Online TurboTax.   After a refund, people could still continue to file their return.  I don't work for TurboTax, but I can tell you how to phone them if you need to.  But first, here's some tips on efiling and the 2019 AGI:

Be sure you used the 2019 AGI from your original 2019 return, not an amended one.  The 2019 AGI is on the 2019 Form 1040, Line 8b.

If you have a joint return, both spouses use the same total 2019 AGI--do not divide or otherwise allocate it.

Special circumstances--do either of these apply to you?

Did you file your 2019 return real late in the year, such as mid-November 2020 or later?

Or did your 2019 return encounter long delays in processing at the IRS, and they didn't finish processing it prior to November 2020?

If you had either of those situations, then try using a 2019 AGI of 0 (zero).

In any case, I would not give up on efiling without first trying a 2019 AGI of 0.  Sometimes it works without a good explanation sort of like a "Hail Mary" football pass.