I purchased the desktop software - which used to come with a free state filing. Now, I have to pay more for the software, my state e-filing, AND a turbo tax Refund Processing Service fee <- and I'm not even getting a refund...
That doesn't seem right. I hope I'm doing something wrong, because that's pretty shady...
You should only pay a refund processing fee if you are paying TurboTax out of your refund. The fee for the state is to file electronically. If you do not want to file the state electronically you can print and mail the state return without a fee.
The TurboTax desktop CD/Download edition have had a e-file charge for a state tax return for at least the past 20 years. The current charge is $25 to e-file a state return (except for New York state which is free). This charge can be avoided by printing and mailing your state tax return.
You cannot have a Refund Processing Fee if you do not have a federal tax refund.
Click on File at the top of the desktop program screen and go through the File interview until you are on the Payment screen to view your charges.
The desktop software can include the state program for preparing a state return, but has ALWAYS charged a fee to e-file the state return. Before March 1 the state e-file fee is $20; after march 1 it goes up to $25. You can avoid the state e-file fee if you print and mail the state.
And....avoid that $40 ($45 in CA) "refund processing fee" ----- pay for the state e-file BEFORE you file using a credit or debit card. If you choose refund processing to pay from your federal refund, it charges you the extra fee of $40 (or $45) to send the refund to a third party bank first. The bank takes out the $25 you owe to TT, collects its own $40 fee, and sends you the rest of your refund. If you are not getting a federal refund, using "refund processing" is not even an option available to you.
I'm simply going through the process and it's asking me: "How would you like to pay?" and then says $40 Refund Processing Service fee on the bottom. I am forced to choose Pay with CC or Pay with Federal Refund.
So... I'm on a screen that I haven't seen before and forced to choose "pay with Credit Card" or "pay with refund."
You're saying that if I don't have a refund, it won't charge me?
I am saying if you are not getting a federal refund you cannot even use that choice. You have to pay for the state e-file by using a credit or debit card.
@willdewmag wrote:So... I'm on a screen that I haven't seen before and forced to choose "pay with Credit Card" or "pay with refund."
You're saying that if I don't have a refund, it won't charge me?
No. There is a $25 fee to efile the state return whether you have a refund or a tax due. You can pay the $25 with a credit card OR you can have it deducted from your Federal refund. But if you have it deducted there is an EXTRA $40 Refund Processing Service charge. Which would be $25+40 = $65. So pay it with a credit card.
Or you can print and mail the state for free.