Purchased Turbo Tax Deluxe. Ad says 5 free Federal Efiles, 1 free State Efile. I am getting charged for my state efiles. Why am I not getting my free state efile?

[MichelleLO]

No, you will only need to purchase the California state download one time. However, there will be an additional fee for any state returns that are e-filed. Please see the below TurboTax Help  Article for more information.

How many returns can I e-file in the TurboTax CD/Download software?

@Paulette478

[Brandis13]

How do I get the free STATE

[VolvoGirl]

@Brandis13   What version do you have?  You need to be using the Desktop CD/Download program Deluxe or higher to download a free state program.   Just go to the state tab and it should ask if you want to get your free state.  Be aware only the state download is free.

 In the Desktop program you get one free state PROGRAM download to prepare unlimited state returns. Then each state return (including the first one) is $20 to efile, usually goes up to $25 March 1. Or you can print and mail state for free.  

[Octam159]

then how is turbo tax charging 5.00 for tax on a 19.99 purchase

[DoninGA]

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@Octam159 wrote:

then how is turbo tax charging 5.00 for tax on a 19.99 purchase

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The state e-file fee when using the TurboTax desktop CD/Download editions is $25.  The price increased from $20 to $25 on March 1, 2022.

[miolka13]

one state fining is included in the turbtax I purchased but it is still asking me to pay $25. How will this be resoled? The help online is of no help!! He is still looking in the manuals ??

[miolka13]

So the fee is for e-filing, am I correct?

[mesquitebean]

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@miolka13 wrote:

one state fining is included in the turbtax I purchased but it is still asking me to pay $25. How will this be resoled? The help online is of no help!! He is still looking in the manuals ??

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For the TurboTax products that include state return preparation, it is the 1 state program that is included; i.e., the state software to prepare the state returns.   There is, however, an additional $25 fee to efile each state return.  There is no state efile fee for New York state, and there is no state efile fee if you choose to print and mail the state return.

NOTE:  If you decide to efile the state return, it's best to pay the $25 fee upfront with credit/debit card.  If you choose to pay the $25 fee out of your Federal refund, there is an additional 39.99 service fee (44.99 for California filers.)

[Kudu1960]

After advertising a free state return and then after purchasing it TurboTax then says that they are charging $20 to file it. They then also charge you to pay the $20. This is simply deceptive. After using Turbo Tax for 15 plus years I am going to discontinue its use. I will also take the time to share my displeasure with family members, friends and colleagues of how they are no longer a reputable company/service. 

[stevex1561]

I don't know why this keeps getting posted and people don't read the details.  For TurboTax deluxe you get "one free state download".  No where does it state you get efile on state for free.  Read the details.  You get 5 "free" federal efiles and one state "download" included.

They've always charged for state efiles.  file by paper or pay the fee or find another program

[stevex1561]

I don't know why this keeps getting posted and people don't read the details.  For TurboTax deluxe you get "one free state download".  No where does it state you get efile on state for free.  Read the details.  You get 5 "free" federal efiles and one state "download" included.

They've always charged for state efiles.  file by paper or pay the fee or find another program

[VolvoGirl]

@Kudu1960   You only have to pay the state $20 to efile it or you can print and mail state for free. And you don't have to pay the Extra $40 Refund Processing Service charge (45 in California).  Pay upfront with a credit card to avoid the extra service charge.  Oh, and the $20 efile fee has be3n going up to $25 on March 1, so try to file before then.  

[Kudu1960]

Not true. State filing used to be free of any fees. And the point is that you should not have to read "details" to try and find where it says that the banner headline of "Free State Filing" is not actually free. This is and remains deceitful and yes, we should all find another program rather than one that acts in such a shady manner. 

[stevex1561]

I've purchased and used turbotax deluxe since 2002, never been free to efile.  They advertise now (free efile for simple returns).  Mine are never simple

[xmasbaby0]

Some users become confused about the way online software and the CD/download software are priced. 

When you use online, you pay separate fees for federal and state, but e-filing is included with them.  There is not an extra fee to e-file using online. 

With the CD/download you can purchase the software program that includes the program that can prepare state returns for one state of your choosing at no additional cost, but e-filing that state return is NOT free.  There has been a state e-file fee for the CD/download for years and years.  It is $20 and increases to $25 in March.  It is very easy to avoid the state e-file fee by printing and mailing the state return instead.