I feel like I got suckered by Intuit. Used free file which is now requiring I pay $30 to get support. Is there anyone live to talk to?

[xmasbaby0]

Phone support is not provided with the Free Edition.  If you are using a paid version of the software or if you purchased PLUS you can get phone support when customer support is there.  Otherwise, post your question here and someone will try to help.

To call TurboTax customer support

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number

They are available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific time

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number

https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

or

https://www.facebook.com/turbotax

[hesss777]

You got suckered for less than I did! I reside overseas, and this "required" deluxe service of $65. They've had all my info for hours, but am stuck on the same two screens, one of which asks for another $50. I decline, and am back at the previous screen. I've logged out twice and back in, but nothing changes. I've tried calling (from a foreign country, mind you), but the robot was no help.
Now, I'm out $65, and still can't file for my refund.

[Critter-3]

$50 ?    Did you start an unneeded state return ?   Remove the state to remove the fee. 

[xmasbaby0]

@hesss777 You do not say what screen is asking for another $50.  Did you prepare a state return?  When you use online TurboTax it is another fee to prepare a state return.  If you do not need to prepare a state return:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900608-how-do-i-delete-my-state-return-in-turbotax-online

[hesss777]

No, there is no income tax in "my" state. I've been living outside of the US for 16 years, so it probably wouldn't pertain to me anyway.

[xmasbaby0]

Then we do not know what the $50 is for.

How can I see my TurboTax  fees?   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online

If your TurboTax fees are higher than expected, you can reduce them by removing add-on features

Remove Pay With Your Refund

• Remove Premium Services
• Remove MAX Defend & Restore
• Remove a state 
• Remove PLUS Help & Support

[hesss777]

The screen is "Next, let's get you set up for +PLUS BENEFITS."

[DoninGA]

---

@hesss777 wrote:

You got suckered for less than I did! I reside overseas, and this "required" deluxe service of $65. They've had all my info for hours, but am stuck on the same two screens, one of which asks for another $50. I decline, and am back at the previous screen. I've logged out twice and back in, but nothing changes. I've tried calling (from a foreign country, mind you), but the robot was no help.
Now, I'm out $65, and still can't file for my refund.

---

The TurboTax Free online edition is for very simple tax returns that do not require any other form or schedule other than the Form 1040.  If your tax data requires entry on any other form or schedule then you must upgrade to the Deluxe edition or higher.

If you have not paid for the online edition you are using, have not filed your tax return or registered the Free edition, then you can clear your return and start over with a lower priced edition. Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the program screen while working on the 2019 online tax return. Click on Clear & Start Over.

OR -

Use the TurboTax Free File program if you are eligible - https://freefile.intuit.com/
If you are eligible you can use the TurboTax Free File Program which is free to file both a federal and state tax return. The Free File Program edition is a full featured personal tax program and on a separate website from the TurboTax online editions.

To qualify for free 2019 federal and state tax returns with the Free File Program, you'll need to meet at least one of these requirements:

• A maximum 2019 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $36,000; or
• You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
• You served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum 2019 AGI of $69,000 (you'll also need a military-issued W-2).

[hesss777]

Not trying to do the free version, since I live overseas and those forms are not included. The $65+ were charged to my credit card hours ago. I purchased Delux, and the forms were easy enough, but they won't let me finish. I am just offered this better, more expensive "benefit".

[hesss777]

Their answer to your link

"We couldn’t find that answer for you"

[DoninGA]

---

@hesss777 wrote:

Not trying to do the free version, since I live overseas and those forms are not included. The $65+ were charged to my credit card hours ago. I purchased Delux, and the forms were easy enough, but they won't let me finish. I am just offered this better, more expensive "benefit".

---

If you purchased the TurboTax Deluxe online edition there is absolutely NO requirement for you to pay for anything else to access TurboTax support.

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/
Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

[Critter-3]

If you already have the Deluxe version there is no need to pay for the plus option as it is already included in the Deluxe ...  review the fee section of the FILE tab step one carefully ... did you add on the MAX option by mistake ?

If you have not yet filed : 

How to see your fees
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online   

For help with fees 
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901213-what-can-i-do-to-reduce-my-fees   

[hesss777]

Update:
After many hours of phone calls, reading forums, web searches etc over a 30 hour period, I finally found a real live person for tech support. An hour later, my form was finally filed.
It turns out that the glitch was due to having an overseas (Russian) IP address. Since I live overseas, that would seem to be an obvious, but she had to do some kind of override. I had to use a USA address in my personal info for some of the identity confirmation, and then return and re-edit back to my actual address. Fortunately my sister works nights, since I had to use a USA cell phone number for one part of it and didn't want to wake up my dad at 5:30am, for the code they sent.
Obviously, the service has some issues for users located outside of the US. In fairness, two other friends here use TurboTax yearly, without these issues. This was my first time.
I am very grateful that the real person I finally reached spent the hour necessary to troubleshoot the problem, and walk me through the hoops until the return was filed.

[Critter-3]

I wish you would have led with the error message ... if you had the workaround would have been presented to you  days ago ... was it this message? 

FAQ:   "ShippingInfoModel" Error When Paying For TurboTax Online

Some customers have reported issues paying for TurboTax fees by credit/debit card with the MAX Assist & Defend bundle selected.

Depending on the situation, they may see one or more of the following error messages.

• shippingInfoModel.zip(value: ) size must be between 2 and 14;
• shippingInfoModel.state(value: ) size must be between 2 and 2;
• shippingInfoModel.firstName(value: ) size must be between 2 and 20;

Workaround

This is caused when the MAX bundle is in the order and there are issues with the information entered in the Personal Info section. This can happen in the following situations:

• You have a foreign mailing address entered, but are paying with a U.S.-based credit/debit card
• The first name you've entered is only one letter

This can be resolved by temporarily changing your information under Personal Info, then changing it back before filing your return. If you have a foreign address, enter the U.S. billing address for the card you're trying to use. If you have only one letter as your first name, change this to your full first name, as shown on your social security card.

1. Click on the Personal Info tab at the top
2. Make the necessary changes to your personal Information
3. Click the File tab at the top and click Start next to Step 1
4. Continue to pay for TurboTax Online
5. Continue through the interview until, in Step 3, you've signed the consent form for MAX Assist & Defend
6. Return to Personal Info and set your mailing address back to the correct address, as described in steps 1-3, before transmitting your return

If you've followed the above steps and you continue to get the error message, it can be resolved by removing the MAX Benefits from your order, which will allow you to file.

Note: If you choose to remove the MAX bundle and file, you will not be able to order it later.