TurboTax Desktop $10 credit available at wholesale clubs - falsely listed as available in the app even after "expired"

[RayG395]

I filed for an extension earlier this year and just finished filing my taxes today. I e-filed my state taxes and expected the $10 credit from my Costco TurboTax purchase to apply. Little did I know in the fine print of the offer that the credit expired on April 30, 2025.

That is all fine, but the main problem is that TurboTax still continued to falsely advertise the $10 credit in my desktop account through the e-file and checkout process. It showed that I have a $10 credit on multiple pages, and even deducted it from my $25 state filing fee to show that it would now only be $15. Then on the final checkout screen when it wanted my credit card, it instead charged $25. 

I can respect the expiration date of April 30, 2025, even though it seems arbitrary to not honor the credit for people who use extensions. Either way though, TurboTax needs to update its software after that date to no longer show that people that there is a credit available to them in the app. 

[xmasbaby0]

No one in the user forum can resolve a billing issue.  If you have a question about your TurboTax fees or billing, make sure you use the word “billing” in your request for help.  Do not use the word “refund.”

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/account-management/contact-turbotax/L2y9...

[RayG395]

I already contacted TurboTax at the phone number in the link you provided and they were less than helpful. I am not necessarily asking anyone for help on this forum, rather bringing it up as a point for discussion so that hopefully someone at Turbotax sees it and they can at least update their software. 

[Mike9241]

maybe this is best taken up with the wholesale club.  Not sure that Turbotax has an obligation to correct false advertising. like buying from unauthorized resellers. there may be no valid license or yoy may even get malware.   

[RayG395]

I think there’s a misunderstanding about how this works. Costco doesn’t have any control over TurboTax’s desktop software or checkout process. They simply sell the license key and distribute the boxed or digital version.

I’m not suggesting anything about Costco’s advertising — the issue isn’t what Costco shows or sells. The problem is that TurboTax’s own software continued to display and apply the $10 credit during checkout, then removed it at payment. That’s not something Costco can fix. It’s a programming issue inside TurboTax’s system that should reflect the fact that the credit is no longer issued after April 30.

The app is clearly being updated regularly — almost every time it’s opened, it requires a new download — so there’s no excuse for TurboTax not to correct this. Whether Costco is an authorized retailer (which it is) doesn’t change that. The responsibility for how the software behaves and what it displays lies entirely with TurboTax.

[RayG395]

Maybe falsely "advertise" was not the correct term to use in my original post. Replace it with falsely "display" or falsely "claim." Either way my point remains the same. 

[Cindy62707]

No where did I see an expiration date mentioned either.  TT showed the credit and told me filing my state would be $15, then ended up charging my credit card $25.  What number did you call to talk to TT?

[MarwilCH]

To RayG's point, I recall that the $10 state credit worked for extensions last year. Another case of Intuit exploiting an additional opportunity to increase the bottom line. It was gratifying to see the groundswell of protest in 2015 from longtime users when Intuit removed Schedule C support from Turbotax deluxe. Intuit backed down when faced with the loss of a large number of customers and apologized - amazing.

[VolvoGirl]

The email I got from Costco with the Activation Keys under Additional Instructions  the 2nd point does say....

Offer valid for Tax Year 2024 TurboTax Desktop products only and expires 4/30/25.

[RayG395]

My primary issue is not necessarily with the expiration date or fine print, which many would agree is an arbitrary date that unfairly burdens taxpayers who need an extension. My issue is with the TurboTax software deducting the $10 credit from the subtotal of the transaction even when it is "expired." Not everyone remembers the fine print of an email from 6 months ago, so TurboTax is misleading customers during checkout. 

[markfTT]

I agree 100% with RayG395.  I filed my federal and state returns today.  TT indicated I would get a $10 discount off the $25 state filing charge, due to original software purchase from Costco.  Then at checkout the charge was $25 instead of $15.  Enraging and disappointing.  Either fix the TT software to show actual charge at every step, or better yet, extend the $10 credit throughout the extended filing period (i.e. through 10/15/2025).

[BME]

Make that +1 on the Turbotax 10-buck checkout display error.   

It bothers me, too.  Look, I like Turbotax ... have for many years.  But:  I want to know what I am paying when checking out for any purchase.  If the checkout screen flow says $10 off, which it did today -- October 15, 2025 -- that is what I expect to hit my card.  It is sketchy / sloppy / lazy for a software company, of all things, to fail to maintain accurate, current checkout screens.  If the deal's expired, fine, don't throw up screens blabbing about it.  

This is not on Costco.  @RayG395  I think Costco management deserves to know that it's prized customer base has been subjected to this lil' gotcha.     

[user17605923060]

You’re absolutely right — if the $10 credit expired, TurboTax should’ve removed it from the checkout process to avoid misleading users. It’s frustrating when outdated promotions still appear active in the software, especially after you’ve already gone through the filing steps. Hopefully, TurboTax addresses this glitch soon and updates its system to reflect accurate credit  availability.

[user17605932593]

You’re absolutely right — if the $10 credit expired, TurboTax should’ve removed it from the checkout process to avoid misleading users. It’s frustrating when outdated promotions still appear active in the software, especially after you’ve already gone through the filing steps. Hopefully, TurboTax addresses this glitch soon and updates their system to reflect accurate credit availability.

[user17605923060]

Exactly, it’s really disappointing to see an expired offer still showing up during checkout — it gives users false expectations. TurboTax should’ve updated their system right after the expiration date to prevent confusion. Hopefully, they fix this soon so future users don’t run into the same issue.