Turbo tax is getting too expensive and not up front about costs and fees making the overall experience incredibly frustrating. Not going to file next year with Turbo tax.

[Critter]

@rossmon 

Now if you choose to use the Downloaded version you can use Basic if you do NOT need to file a state and the Deluxe or better if you do need a state ... and since any of the downloaded versions can handle all tax forms/situations it is a better deal then the higher priced Online versions ...  

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

AND if you shop around you can find the CD or Download at a nice discount from a reputable reseller like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Office Depot, etc.  

[rossmon]

Below, is what i get when clicking on a preorder link from a few weeks ago!              I use premier w/rental. $110 is about $30-$40 more than i paid last year without a discount at Costco.  Plus, I still had to pay an extra fee to efile both fed and state!        E file services should be bundled.            Yes, its a great product, thats why I use it and recommend it all the time. I’m a retired IT Engineer with old clients always asking for advice! At 71yo, I still have to work for some, just to have pocket money! Our rental income just means that as retirees, we can still live in our California home! Perhaps there should be an additional discount for retirees! Its easy to tell on a return! The partial screenshot below shows $10 off of $110! A fast internet search shows tax apps for my exact needs from industry names that start at less than half the price, much less from new companies that I can try. 

Premier Investments & rental property5

federal e-files included

$99.99*$109.99*

1 state download

Buy now

(4/5 | 5,405 reviews)

[VolvoGirl]

If you buy the Desktop CD/Download program the federal efile is free.  State is only 19.99 to efile (went up to 24.99 on March 1) and state is free to print and mail.  

But if you want to have the state efile fee deducted from your federal refund there is an extra 39.99 Refund Processing Service charge (44.99 in California).  Or you can pay upfront with a credit card to avoid the extra charge.

[Robert68]

This will be last tax season I use over priced turbo tax .For the cost I might as well let the local H&R block office dile for me

[scott12868]

This will be my last year filing with turbo tax as well, I have used them for as long as I can remember.. To file with taxslayer this year it would of cost 47 plus two states at 27 a piece. So half of what I am paying with turbotax.

[tagplate2]

WHEN I WAS READY TOO FILE--40 FOR STATE 70 FOR FED AND 40 TO DEDUCT FEES FROM REFUND====150 TO FILE?--CRAZY--ILL LOOK ELSEWHERE

[Critter]

Sadly the fees are not a secret ... they are presented to you all the way and if you did not want to pay the extra fee for the convenience of having the other fees withheld from the federal refund then pay with a CC instead.

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   

How to remove the Pay from your Refund fee 
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900517-how-do-i-remove-refund-processing-fees-in-turbotax-online-... 

If you have filed : 

What did I pay last year for TurboTax?

 

When you begin your return using the Free Edition, it will be free unless you are required or choose to upgrade.

 

Only very simple tax returns can be completed using the Free Edition. When you choose to upgrade, TurboTax advises you on the screen how much the upgrade will cost. They may not advise you that there will also be a fee for a state return when you upgrade. Here is a current price listing for each online version: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

 

 

There is also a completely free website if you qualify which is free for federal and state.  And has more forms than the Federal Free Edition, like Schedules A, B, C , D, E, F, EIC, H, K-1, SE,  etc.

NOTE:  You will have to log out of  your regular Turbo Tax account and setup a new account with a new username and new password or it will take you back to regular Turbo Tax.

To qualify for the Free File website  you just need to meet one of these 3 things 
AGI $34,000 or less
Active duty military with AGI of $66,000 or less
OR qualify for EIC (earned income credit.)

In order to use the Free File program, you have to start it at a special website.  Click on the bottom Orange button I Qualify Start Now and set up a NEW account or it will take you back to regular Turbo Tax.
http://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom 

 

[Belyeu]

I'm done with the online turbo tax. They want around $90 for both Federal and State. I just ordered both for $39 on Amazon. 

[Critter]

You always have the choice to purchase a program from any reliable source ... and the downloaded version is usually more cost effective.  Be aware there is an extra fee to efile the state return however you can always print and mail it for free. 

[VolvoGirl]

Well in the first place you can't compare Online to the Desktop program.  Pricing structure and features are different.

[Robert68]

I am pretty sure that was the intent with the post  was to do something else where next year ,You are brilliant ol` wise one,pure genius 

[mmacera10]

completely agree they charged me $120 to do my easy simple return.. within that $40 just to have payment come from my refund... not cool.. this is the very last year I will be using Turbo tax never again

[DoninGA]

---

@mmacera10 wrote:

completely agree they charged me $120 to do my easy simple return.. within that $40 just to have payment come from my refund... not cool.. this is the very last year I will be using Turbo tax never again

---

There has Always been a service charge to have the TurboTax account fees paid from the federal tax refund.  All other tax prep software have similar charges for this type of option.

At any time before filing the tax return you could have removed any unwanted fees, just by asking.  See this TurboTax support FAQ for removing fees - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/what-can-i-do-to-reduce-my-fees/01/26051

If you were eligible you could have used the Free File Program available through the IRS website -

IRS Free File Program - https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
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).

See this TurboTax support FAQ on the Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the difference between the Free File Progam and the Free edition - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572617-what-s-the-difference-between-free-file-program-and-free-e...

And see this TurboTax support FAQ on how to switch to the TurboTax Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

[PG6]

This is my last year using TurboTax I think $80 (40 Fed,40 State) is too much I been using TT for 9 years It is now cheaper to have someone do them for me.

[DoninGA]

---

@PG6 wrote:

This is my last year using TurboTax I think $80 (40 Fed,40 State) is too much I been using TT for 9 years It is now cheaper to have someone do them for me.

---

If you have tax data that has to be on a form or schedule not supported by the Free online edition you will have to upgrade to Deluxe.

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 -

IRS Free File Program - https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
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).

See this TurboTax support FAQ on the Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the difference between the Free File Progam and the Free edition - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572617-what-s-the-difference-between-free-file-program-and-free-e...

And see this TurboTax support FAQ on how to switch to the TurboTax Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program