Payment for using TurboTax.

[vakotsur]

I paid $199 for federal tax return plus $54 for state tax return and no extra add-ons, such as Audit protection etc. just for one 1099-NEC ($21,621) and one W-2 ($1,209). Total income $22,830. Is it fair to pay $253 for using TurboTax? 

[Michele_H]

Hi @vakotsur , I hope I can help with this situation.  Depending on which version of Turbo Tax you use and if you have any state taxes, add-ons such as Audit protection or having  the fees deducted from your refund can increase the price you pay for the software.   I am attaching a comparison that may help you determine if you need to change which version of Turbo Tax you are using.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

Hope this helps.

[Michele_H]

Hi @vakotsur , if the fee you paid was $199 for the federal there may have been a point where you needed the "live" help that Turbo Tax offers.

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

If you paid 199 for federal that was for the LIVE Self Employed version.  Did you use the Live services?  You didn't need to add the  LIVE feature.  Regular Self Employed version is only 119.   

Did you have any expenses for the 1099NEC income?  You need to use the Self Employed version to enter expenses.  If you didn't have expenses you could have used Deluxe or Premier.

Or you can use any of the Desktop programs.  All the Desktop programs have the same forms. You just get more help and guidance in the higher versions.  And there are several other advantages in Desktop over Online.  Something to consider for next year.

[vakotsur]

Finally I've got answers. Thank you so much VolvoGirl.

[Michele_H]

@VolvoGirl great advice, thank you!