Can anyone enlighten me? Purchased Home and Business from Amazon, downloaded, completed. Got to states & it made me pay $45, and at e-file asked $25 each on states. ???

[SNSKLW]

Why did it charge $45 once I said I wanted to proceed with states, and then request I pay $25 each to e-file states, when one was supposed to be free to start with?

[xmasbaby0]

E-filing fee in desktop software

Did you purchase desktop software with state software included? The program includes the software to prepare state returns for one state of your choosing that can be e-filed or mailed.  If you need any other additional different states, those state programs cost about $40 to download.     There is an extra $25 fee to e-file the state.  You can avoid the state e-file fee if you print and mail the state instead of e-filing it.

[xmasbaby0]

• @SNSKLW When you purchased this from Amazon did you read what it said?
• From the amazon site:
• Recommended if you are self-employed, an independent contractor, freelancer, small business owner, sole proprietor, or consultant
• Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary).
• NEW. Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)
• Get your personal and self-employed taxes done right
• Finds industry-specific small business tax deductions
• Create and e-file W-2s and 1099s for employees & contractors using Quick Employer Forms
• Up-to-date on the latest tax laws

[xmasbaby0]

Oh---and the $45?   Are you in CA?   When you had to pay for the state e-file fee did you choose to pay that from your federal refund instead of paying with a credit or debit card?  If you made that unfortunate choice, the $45 fee was for "premium tax services"----which means that first your federal refund goes to a third party bank.  The third party bank takes out the $25 you owe to TurboTax, keeps $45 for itself, and sends the rest of the refund to you.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-product-orders/premium-services/L...