Why wasn't my state return free?

[nickbr2]

I am e-filing my return, and  it is charging me $19.99 when it said it was free.

[Anonymous]

the fed is free. efiling the state is $20.    you can always mail it in 

[mesquitebean]

You asked:  "Why wasn't my state return free? ...charging me 19.99..."

  This is a common source of confusion.  I assume you are referring to the 19.99 state efile fee in the desktop product (CD/download).

If your desktop product included a state program, then it is the program for what it means by "free state"; i.e., you get to download the state program to prepare the state returns.   There is, however, a 19.99 fee to efile each state return in the desktop product,  except there is no efile fee for New York state.   The fee normally increases to 24.99 sometime in March.  As HACKITOFF mentioned above, there is no fee to print and mail the state returns.

[PayingFairShareAndThenSome]

Why is Intuit sucking us dry of our hard earned money?  TaxAct and CreditKarma both let you efile state taxes for FREEEEEEEE!  Intuit, time to stop raking your loyal customers over the coals....they just might start leaving.  And yes, let's be honest.  This is an Intuit charge NOT a state charge.  I'm still loyal but I'm annoyed as I sit here printing and killing trees to file my state return for FREE with the state.  If Intuit cared about the environment, they would make the state efile free.  If Intuit cared about their loyal customers, they would make the state efile free.

INTUIT!  STATE EFILE SHOULD BE FREE!  MAKE IT HAPPEN!