Audit Defense

[stuckdoingtaxes1]

So Audit Defense from TurboTax Online is automatically popping up during the filing process in the File section with a $0 fee.    I can e-file 5 returns.  Question: will each  5 returns get a free audit defense? Or only the first e-file? Or just me as the purchaser of Turbo tax? 

[VolvoGirl]

Are you using the Online version or the Desktop installed program?   Online is only good for 1 return per account.  So each return and account are separate.  Are you in California?   Audit Defense is included in California if you want to have the Turbo Tax fees deducted from your refund.   BUT there is an Extra $40 Refund Processing Service charge (45 in California) to have the fees deducted which you can avoid by paying the fees upfront with a credit card.

Same for the Desktop program.  You can do unlimited returns and efile 5 federal for free.   State is $25 to efile each return including the first one.   Each return is separate and won’t get Audit Defense for free depending on how you file and pay.  

[stuckdoingtaxes1]

I am in CA and  using Turbo Tax Advantage Online version.  I am paying the state fee by credit card for all 5-efiles.  

This is my first efile and I am showing $0 fed filing  fee; $20 filing State fee, and $0 audit defense. 

Question: will I get free audit defense for each of these 5 efiles? 

[VolvoGirl]

When you say Advantage Online version, I don’t know what that is.   Did you download and install the Desktop program?   Looks like it’s only for 1 return.   When you do the other returns does a $60 button to add it show up at the top that’s not on the first one?   

Desktop Advantage plan

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/advantage/ 

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Found more info….

Desktop Advantage plan

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/advantage/ 

Scroll down to the bottom and click on the blue…

Turbo Tax Advantage Offer Terms, it says……

Your TurboTax Advantage automatic renewal entitles you to the following benefits using your TurboTax Advantage license code: 1) One free Audit Defense for one 2025 tax return, for one year, when you sign up for Audit Defense in your product. You must take action to sign up annually in order to claim this benefit; 2) Option to purchase State E-file for a discounted price in-product 3) Option to purchase live expert tax advice for a discounted price for one 2025 tax return in-product. Additional live expert tax advice may be purchased for additional returns prepared with your TurboTax Advantage license code.

[stuckdoingtaxes1]

So the link provided more information, thank you.  Yes, you only get 1 audit defense even though you can e-file 5 returns but you need to be careful as to which return gets the benefit of the audit defense, see my comment after #1) below.  

"Your TurboTax Advantage automatic renewal entitles you to the following benefits using your TurboTax Advantage license code:

1) One free Audit Defense for one 2025 tax return, for one year, when you sign up for Audit Defense in your product. You must take action to sign up annually in order to claim this benefit;"  My comment:  This is correct, You should activate the audit defense within the actual return you want covered from the get go; until you do this, the filing screen for the first e-file will prompt you for the audit defense with $0 because it is applying the free benefit  to that return.  Thereafter, when you file a return it will prompt you to add the audit defense  for additional fee or remove it. 

"2) Option to purchase State E-file for a discounted price in-product 3) Option to purchase live expert tax advice for a discounted price for one 2025 tax return in-product. Additional live expert tax advice may be purchased for additional returns prepared with your TurboTax Advantage license code."