I bought turbotax software and 1 state file was suppose to be free. But it charged me. Why

[Critter]

If you had bought the downloaded Deluxe version or better from TT directly it will always include a state return ... the Basic does not and it states so on the website.  If you buy from another source then the Deluxe is available with and without the state program ... the buyer needs to read the details carefully.  <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/">https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/...>

And don't waste your time turning them in ... this has been the standard practice for many years now so I doubt it will change.

[ekgentry]

Terrible customer service (or should I say NO SERVICE!).  I have reached out to Intuit twice now in writing to try and get an answer from them on the charge for the State download and still no response after two weeks.  I had heard that they have terrible customer service but this is just outrageous.  It is a wonder they are still in business.  So after years of using TurboTax, I will be taking my loyalty elsewhere, letting my money do the talking in response to their no response!  

[Critter]

To contact TurboTax customer service/support use their contact website during business hours.  If the problem concerns any type of refund for fees, use the key words billing issues and do Not use the word Refund or you will get a phone number for tax refunds.
Submit your question/problem during business hours and then use the option for Call (a phone number will be provided for Call) to speak directly with a TurboTax agent –
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/">https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/</a>

[sam-vance]

I can sympathize with just saying that the computation is included with the software. I can't understand why the submission is not. There are so many other services which do not differentiate between the computation and submission for state filings, that I didn't realize I had to parse through ToS just to understand what I was paying for. I hope that Costco will refund me my $20 for the state filing and drop TurboTax.

[chrisrcolbert]

On Deluxe and premier they are charging now to download the State forms, which is $39.95 I've never been charged that before. Ever and I've been using TurboTax for years. I understand they still charge to e-file the state but never to download the State Farm's that's something new. That's an additional $40 on top of the $19.95. Can you file a state return? And then you're paying an additional $49.95 for the program. So now you're paying $100. To download State forms e-file the state forms and pay for the tax program whether it's Premier or Deluxe.

[bacallmcelroy]

Thank you for starting this thread, I had the same issue and assumed there must be a mistake. Such a blatant bait and switch, it really pisses me off. 😠

[DB42]

I completed filling out the TT Deluxe forms, and progressed to eFile. I got a notice that I needed to "download the state". I questioned that since state forms were completed.

I proceeded to download, but what I downloaded was a hidden charge for eFiling the state. This is at best false and misleading advertising.

At no point in the program before charging to eFIle was there any notice that I could eFile the state by mail.

I called to speak with an agent, and they said that after eFiling, Intuit would not refund the $19.99 fee.

This false advertising and the fact that the mail filing alternative was never adequately communicated is unacceptable.

Intuit should be held accountable.

This message sent via online page https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/forums/replypage/board-id/202/message-id/312847 on 25 February,2020 at 3:50 PM CST

[jsa450]

I was charged twice! We should get a class action suit going!

[jsa450]

I bought the federal and state. They still charged me twice. Intuit is a bunch of crooks!

[educ8r23]

Agreed. I says on the box "State Returns" with a little box checked. To pay extra for E-File is ludicrous. Join the 21st century where everything is done online. $24.99 to send one electronic file while we already paid almost 100$ for software is so enraging. As well as the 7 different indications along the way that just keep guiding you through it without a clear explanation of your options to just print and mail it. Horrible end to an otherwise painless tax experience.

[mmaguire6]

I want a full refund of $74.20. I bought 1 license of TurboTax Deluxe with 1 state.  Your false advertising said efile for federal and state would be absolutely free.  When I completing entering info for my federal and state tax returns, I was presented with an option to efile, which again, your software said would be free for federal and state.  After entering bank info, drivers license info, and everything else needed to steal our identity, up pops a window that says the state efile would be $20.  Then after entering and approving other info I regret giving to you, your software then informs me that because I have a refund coming from federal, there would be an additional $40 charge.  So absolutely free becomes $60.  You are guilty of false advertising and breach of contract.  I am contacting my credit card company to dispute the charge of $74.20, to let them know to come after you if my identity is stolen, and hopefully they will not allow any of their customers to do business with you.

[MichelleLO]

Please reach out to a TurboTax Customer Support Specialist to discuss your options.  Use the keywords billing issues and do not use the word refund or you will get a phone number for tax refunds: What is the TurboTax phone number?

@mmaguire6

[rjenny01]

Yep, Scam practices.

Bait and Switch.

True, read the fine print, look fo rexcuses not to believe the advertisement.  Sorry, I do not buy products defensively.  This meaning to look first for potential misleading calims on the box.  One would think we could count on TT to be more transparent.

How about: "1 free mail-in State return, efile subject to a hypocritical automation services processing fee."

The sick thing on top of misleading advertising is:  efiling concepts were created to save companies money, not to cost more overhead!!!!  Yet, somehow state government in their infinite wisdoms (or TT) have found excuses to portray improved and more efficient models are more expensive to run!  Oh, we pay for them to create the system to save money and we pay that repeatedly each year even after it is paid for.  Amazing.  I am a DevOps practitioner.  This one is the most sad example of anti-DevOps and will reach my presentation materials very soon.    a sad and step back to the 70's kind of day.

[irs say business is hobby]

I AGREE THAT IS FALSE !!! ADVERTISEMENT- TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED IN TT

I PAID $70 FOR  TT THEN ANOTHER $45 FOR AN EXTRA STATE THEN ANOTHER $50 TO E-FILE THE 2 STATES-  THAT'S $165.--NEXT YEAR GOING TO USE FREETAXUSA- MUCH MUCH CHEAPER. 

[Justwannafile]

Perhaps we can organize and regroup in the thread ‘undisclosed state efile charges’.  

It only takes seven people with the same problem which can give substantial rise to same common issue — in other words many others were also deceived by the state filing undisclosed charges

to pursue a class action