audit defense automatically charged

[user17755188711]

I was charged $45 for audit defense without realizing it.  It was for my deceased mother's final tax return which included a tax refund, to be deposited into a trust bank account.  TurboTax does not allow you to check a "NO" or "DECLINE" box for audit defense.  There is a small box - you must uncheck before e-filing.  Spent more than 2 hours on the phone dealing with this.....hoping to get $45 back from Turbo Tax.  

[LeticiaF1]

Here at Community we can't help you with issues with your fees.  For that you will need to contact TurboTax regarding this. 

[mesquitebean]

@ user17755188711 

The following may or may not apply to you.  If it does not apply to you, you can simply ignore the paragraphs below.

Just curious about something.  Did you pay for your product by credit/debit card, or did you choose to "pay fees out of refund?"  Here's why I ask:

Are you using desktop software as opposed to Online TurboTax?  If you are using desktop software, are you a California filer, and did you try to pay your CA state efile fee of $25 out of your Federal refund?   If so, in California that would automatically add "Premium Services" for $45, which includes Audit Defense as one of the benefits of that bundle.   If that's not your situation, just ignore this info.

[user17755188711]

Desktop software.  I did not choose Audit Defense. It was automatically added as a fee

The tax return is my mother’s. She passed away in 2025. Why would I choose Audit Defense for a simple return?  I spoke to several people at TurboTax and requested refund, to either the bank account noted on the return; or issue a check made out to my mother’s trust. They would not.  I asked if they would add the $45 back to the refund amount.  They refused. 

The only choice was to issue a check.  You cannot deposit a check to someone who is deceased. 

[user17755188711]

Premium service was automatically added. No way to decline!!!  I have filed a complaint with Better Business Bureau. 

[mesquitebean]

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@user17755188711 wrote:

Premium service was automatically added. No way to decline!!!  I have filed a complaint with Better Business Bureau. 

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If you are a California filer and chose to pay the state efile fee out of the Federal refund, that will add Premium Services bundle for $45 fee.   That bundle includes the "pay out of refund" option, Audit Defense, and some ID theft monitoring/restoration services.

The way to remove Premium Services bundle  and the $45 fee is to go ahead and pay by credit/debit card instead of paying out of your refund.   Once you pay by card, that should remove the Premium Services fee.  However, if you already filed (I can't tell for sure from the above), then it's too late to pay by card.