Is there going to be a class action lawsuit or are you going to refund us what we paid you to use your services this year?

[Critter]

Why do you think there is going to be any class action lawsuit ?   

[cubbyboy7]

For manipulating search results to favor the paid version of Intuit. I'm just giving them a chance to refund me before it all starts.

[Critter]

Do you believe everything you read ?   All the DIY programs do the same exact thing but that article targeted the largest company in that article.  AND this has been going on for years so it is not new news at all but just a journalist getting print time reporting an old story.    

Turbotax has no obligation to educate the public on the IRS FREE FILE program  any more than your local gas station needs to tell people where they can get gas for free.  The FREE FILE program has been around for years so it is the IRS that is not doing their job.  

And as far as how the google search engine shows the results, everyone should know that the paid ads always comes up first ... try googling anything to see this is true. Maybe you should be mad at the search engines for not prioritizing the IRS free program ... maybe the IRS is not paying them enough to be on top.

[cubbyboy7]

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1002576">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1002576</a>
Just following up. Lawsuits are coming 🙂

[macuser_22]

No company is "required by law" to offer free service.  The tax providers that participate in the IRS "FreeFile" alliance is totally voluntary.    The portal for accessing FreeFile is the IRS website, not TurboTax.  Good luck with frivolous lawsuits.

You can  access the Free File tax alliance programs via the IRS website.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/">https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/</a>

[macuser_22]

BTW: the author of that article has obviously never read the IRS terms for the FreeFile alliance:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/about-the-free-file-alliance">https://www.irs.gov/e-file-provid...>

Or the Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the rules.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/Eight%20Free%20File%20MOU.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/Eight...>

[Critter]

Since I have no affiliation to TT or Intuit I really don't care  and if  there was a way for the lawyer's to make money on this they could have done this years ago.  Look at the source of this latest  "hornblower" ... they obviously don't have a clue on how the internet rating system  or the IRS rules work.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

why don't you see an attorney to start the class action lawsuit?  that way you'll get awarded something more that the others.  Just like in the lawsuit against Subway where people complained it wasn't really a foot long and they got cheated.   

[Critter]

Amazing this article came out AFTER tax season  .... why didn't they run this in January and forewarn the public or educate them on all the FREE options ?   Why ... because it is not sensational enough to go viral and sell more ads.  Consider the source and their motives.   I highly doubt anything will come of this ... any good lawyer will see this is a battle they cannot win.

[SweetieJean]

A similar article has appeared every year for several years now.  And lawsuits take many years before anything happens.

[Critter]

FYI ... I do not work for TT  and IMHO I would not hold my breath for the refund or the lawsuit.

[cubbyboy7]

Do you work for Intuit or are you being paid either directly or indirectly from that company? I have a feeling the answer is yes. Thanks for your response, I guess that's what I get for posting on a public forum. I'll call them Monday.

[Critter]

No I do not and again doubtful ... see their response obviously written by lawyers ... <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-news/turbotax-response-to-propublica-article-on-4-26-19-43756/"...>

[Critter]

When you begin your return using the Free Edition, it will be free unless you are required or choose to upgrade.   Only very simple tax returns can be completed using the Free Edition. When you choose to upgrade, TurboTax advises you on the screen how much the upgrade will cost. They may not advise you that there will also be a fee for a state return when you upgrade. You are posting from the Deluxe online version which is not free and state is additional to the federal fee. Here is a current price listing for each online version: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/     There is also a completely free website if you qualify which is free for federal and state.  And has more forms than the Federal Free Edition, like Schedules A, B, C , D, E, F, EIC, H, K-1, SE,  etc.

NOTE:  You will have to log out of  your regular Turbo Tax account and setup a new account with a new username and new password or it will take you back to regular Turbo Tax.

To qualify for the Free File website  you just need to meet one of these 3 things 
AGI $34,000 or less
Active duty military with AGI of $66,000 or less
OR qualify for EIC (earned income credit.)

In order to use the Free File program, you have to start it at a special website.  Click on the bottom Orange button I Qualify Start Now and set up a NEW account or it will take you back to regular Turbo Tax.
http://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom