Hi, I've paid $97.96 for turbotax yet I didn't get a single cent back in return! What should i do?

[Texas Roger]

What you paid TurboTax was for the preparation of your tax return which must be filed with the IRS. The fees are the same whether you get a refund or are required to pay the IRS.

[xmasbaby0]

The fee is not based on whether you get a refund, or even if you owe.  The fee is based on the version of the software you chose to use to prepare your return.

Major tax reform and major changes in the tax forms have also resulted in changes to the tax software.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY?  I WANT THE FREE EDITION

The information that you can enter in Free Edition is pretty limited now.  Thanks to the new tax laws, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's.  Everything goes on a little “postcard-size” Form 1040 that has six extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.  Using the standard deduction instead of itemizing does NOT mean you will not need any of those schedules.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040 

If you qualify to use it, there is another free version of the software:

Try Free File: 

You qualify if your income was $34,000 or less, or $66,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program

• https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

Note:  If you do not qualify to use Free File then you will have to upgrade to Deluxe or higher in the paid versions of the software.   

[Critter]

Did you efile and are you getting a refund but have not gotten it yet ? 

From the IRS FAQs :

How will I know you’re processing my tax return?
Where’s My Refund? follows your tax return from receipt to completion. It will tell you when your return is in received status and if your refund is in approved or sent status.

What is happening when  Where’s My Refund?  shows my tax return status as received?
We have your tax return and are processing it.

What is happening when  Where’s My Refund?  shows my refund’s status as approved?
We’ve approved your refund. We are preparing to send your refund to your bank or directly to you in the mail. This status will tell you when we will send the refund to your bank (if you selected the direct deposit option). Please wait 5 days after we’ve sent the refund to check with your bank about your refund, since banks vary in how and when they credit funds. (It could take several weeks before you receive a mailed refund check.)

How long will it take for my status to change from return received to refund approved?
Sometimes a few days, but it could take longer.

Does  Where’s My Refund?  always display my refund status showing the different stages of return received, refund approved and refund sent?
No, not always. Sometimes, when we are still reviewing your return, instead, it will display instructions or an explanation of what we are doing.

Does  Where’s My Refund?  update often?
Once per day, usually at night. There’s no need to check more often.