Why am I being charged to file state?

[Wtt486]

I started filing with TurboTax because I thought it would be FREE. I already paid over $100 to file my federal taxes and now they want $40 more dollars to file state! This is ridiculous and I would have filed elsewhere had I known this was going to be the case! I would like to know for what reason I need to pay even more money to file state taxes? I am in desperate need of money and I simply can not afford to dish out more money for something I never asked for. 

[DoninGA]

If you are using the online editions the state program is not $40, it is $50.

The service charge of $40 is for using the option to pay the TurboTax account fees with the federal tax refund.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for checking your fees - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online/0...

See this TurboTax support FAQ for removing fees - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/what-can-i-do-to-reduce-my-fees/01/26051

[Wtt486]

Well $50 dollars is even more of a rip off. I never asked for any premium version, I simply wanted to file for free!

[DoninGA]

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@Wtt486 wrote:

Well $50 dollars is even more of a rip off. I never asked for any premium version, I simply wanted to file for free!

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If you have not paid for the online edition you are using, have not filed your tax return or registered the Free edition, then you can clear your return and start over with a lower priced edition. Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the program screen while working on the 2019 online tax return. Click on Clear & Start Over.

OR -

IRS Free File Program - https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
If you are eligible you can use the TurboTax Free File Program which is free to file both a federal and state tax return. The Free File Program edition is a full featured personal tax program and on a separate website from the TurboTax online editions.

To qualify for free 2019 federal and state tax returns with the Free File Program, you'll need to meet at least one of these requirements:

• A maximum 2019 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $36,000; or
• You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
• You served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum 2019 AGI of $69,000 (you'll also need a military-issued W-2).

See this TurboTax support FAQ on the Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the difference between the Free File Progam and the Free edition - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572617-what-s-the-difference-between-free-file-program-and-free-e...

And see this TurboTax support FAQ on how to switch to the TurboTax Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

[ythoosier]

I've bought the desktop version for over 15 years.  I have NEVER been charged any fees to efile Federal or State until this year.  So, this year will be the last one I buy TurboTax.  Tax Act here I come.

[DoninGA]

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@ythoosier wrote:

I've bought the desktop version for over 15 years.  I have NEVER been charged any fees to efile Federal or State until this year.  So, this year will be the last one I buy TurboTax.  Tax Act here I come.

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There has been an e-file fee on a state tax return using TurboTax desktop editions for at least the last 15 years (except for New York state which is free to e-file).   Other than e-filing New York there is no possible way you could have e-filed a state tax return using the desktop editions without paying the e-file fee.

[roguechevelle]

I'm from Florida and have never been charged for filing State Taxes through turbo tax until this year. They are also forcing me to use Deluxe version (not free) because I have a 401K now and want to get me a "better deduction" but I will literally have to pay more for the Deluxe version because they are making me pay $118 with the state tax included when I only owe $27 to the irs. Why would I pay turbo tax more? Why can't I just do a standard deduction without using the "tax credit" (which has my refund at $43. Which means I'm paying turbo tax $75 instead of paying the irs $27), how about I opt out of having a tax credit huh? Well turbo tax won't let you do that. 

[AkinaLO]

If you need assistance with going over your fees, please reach out to customer support through the link below.   

What is the TurboTax phone number? - Intuit     

[emarie84]

i had no idea if you used your federal return to pay to file your taxes they charged you an extra $40, so not only did i have to pay $100 to file my taxes, (which when i was done it said $88) so i added the 5 days early for $25, so i thought my total was only a little over $100! but nope, if you pay with your refund to file, they charge you an extra $40! and there is nowhere that tells you that when you are done filing, it gives you the options on how you want to pay, and where it says “pay with refund” there is nothing, absolutely nothing there that says it’s an extra $40 to do it that way! or i would of never done it, i would of just had to wait til i had money to pay with my debit card! so instead of me getting almost $900 back, im getting $650! when i went back and viewed everything they charged me $40 to pay with my refund, then $93 turbo tax fees, then $25 to get it 5 days early! that extra $40 they charge you if you pay using your refund is ridiculous!! 

[emarie84]

and also i went back to my history and when i filed last year it was free! it says “free filing” but now all of a sudden they have taken out over $100

[MarilynG1]

You can see an Order Summary listing all your fees in the File section, just before you Efile.

In TurboTax Online, you can also see them by clicking on Tax Tools > Tools, then choose MY FEES on the pop-up menu. 

Yes, the bank that handles your IRS refund and then pays TurboTax, charges $40 for their services.

On the screen where you selected your Refund Method, if you choose Pay With Refund, 

@emarie84