Direct Deposit Refund Fee for Non-Credit Karma Bank Account

[c_linu]

Why does Turbo Tax charge me an additional $35 fee, outside the filing fees, for depositing a refund to a bank account not associated with Credit Karma?

I never had to do this with Turbo Tax in the past 15 years.

Turbo Tax is forcing me to open a bank account with Credit Karma to waive this fee, which they are marketing as an Early Refund Fee. It is ridiculous that I have to pay for this on top of the filing fees. When I call customer service, they indicate the fees are charged by some other bank—Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC  (SBTPG) 877-908-7228. 

This is my last year using Turbo Tax.

[NicolleR1]

It looks like that $35 dollar fee charge you are referring to is because you are signing up for the Up to 5 Days Early Option 

To opt in for this program, you will need to open a Credit Karma account. You can always go back and choose a different refund method, such as regular direct deposit. If the system is still charging you the $35 you can remove any unnecessary fees, see the links below. 

How do I review my fees in TurboTax Online? 

Why am I being charged for TurboTax Free Edition?

[c_linu]

There were only two options:

1. Accept Direct Deposit via Credit Karma with no fees
2. Accept Direct Deposit into my bank account with $35.35 Fees.

I never wanted 5 Days Early Option, and there was no option to opt-out.  

Option 2 has been my go-to option for the past 15 years, and I'm now being charged for it—under the guise of a benefit that I never wanted: the "5-Day Early Option." 

If you want to help, waive the $35.35 fee since I have already paid for filing via the Turbo Tax.