What is causing the March state e-file fee increase?

[michelle109]

I have used Turbo tax for years. This fee change wasn't well communicated. What additional cost did intuit incur to cause this? This coming in a year when the state e-filing wasn't open timely too. I think this is the last year using turbo tax.

[Mike9241]

we operate under a free enterprise system. so unless Turbotax is violating a price guarantee they gave you, it has the right to increase fees at any time.

[xmasbaby0]

The fees increase every year on March 1.   They increase the online software fees from the early discount rates to a higher amount and they increase the CD/download state e-file fee by $5.   You can easily avoid the state e-file fee by printing and mailing the state instead of e-filing it.

[fanfare]

"easily"

Of course not.

If it was easy, no one would e-File for a fee, and the states would be mad at TurboTax.

TurboTax has determined that it is easier to pay the fee than try to assemble a printed return after unjamming your printer (if you have one), find the tax documents and an envelope go to the Post Office (gas over $4.30 here)  pay postage (exorbitant for return receipt) and risk having your return lost in the mail.

[SweetieJean]

You can also lock in the price by paying the fees early, and then filing when you are ready.

[Mitch12530]

How do you pay the efile fees early?

[xmasbaby0]

@Mitch12530 Sorry--you cannot pay state e-file fees early.   But you can avoid paying a state e-file fee by printing and mailing the state if you are using the CD/download.   Users who use online software are able to pay fees for using the software early to lock in the early discounts---but they are paying for the use of the software--not for e-filing.

If you e-file the state using the CD/download the fee for that goes from $20 to $25 on March 1.

[dayt8er]

Apparently this is still an issue in 2024 for the 2023 product. My software download product says it's $20 to e-file and then I go to the website and it's saying $25. I've been on hold 20 minutes as I believe they should honor the fee stated IN their product. In fact, I'd rather they charge more for the product and just e-file for free. I'm tempted to print and mail to spite them. Yes, it's just $5, but it's shady business practice. 

[xmasbaby0]

@dayt8er Save the e-file fee and mail the state return.   Or.....have you updated your desktop software lately?   If you have not updated that may be why the higher $25 e-file fee did not appear. on your screen.  The fees for online software and the fee for state e-filing go up every year on March 1.