Used free version, but required a 1040-ES. Charged $40 for Deluxe, and $40 for state return prep. Why was I charged $40 for the state if only needed for 1040-ES?

[gretajake]

Why does purchasing Deluxe, if only required for 1040-ES, am I also charged $40 for state return?

[xmasbaby0]

You are posting from Deluxe  $40

State return $40

Refund processing to have fees deducted from federal refund by 3rd party bank $39.99 ($44.99 in CA) (This fee is optional and can be avoided by paying TT upfront using a credit/debit card)

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY?  I WANT THE FREE EDITION

The information that you can enter in Free Edition is pretty limited now.  Thanks to the new tax laws that began for 2018 returns, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's.  Everything goes on a Form 1040 that has three extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.  Using the standard deduction instead of itemizing does NOT mean you will not need any of those schedules.https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4511011-what-happened-to-the-1040a-and-1040ez   If you started in the Free Edition and entered any data that required any of those three schedules, you have to upgrade to a paid version.   The Free Edition cannot be used for self-employment income, investment income, rental income or a student loan interest deduction,

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586254-how-do-i-clear-and-start-overIf you qualify to use it, there is another full-featured free version of the software:

Try Free File: 

You qualify if your income was $39,000 or less, or $72,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program

• https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

Note:  If you do not qualify to use Free File then you will have to upgrade to Deluxe or higher in the paid versions of the software.   

 Online Deluxe $40  State software $40

Or—-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

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

• Remove Premium Services
• Remove MAX Defend & Restore
• Remove a state
• Remove PLUS Help & Support
• Remove Pay With Your Refund

[gretajake]

Thank you. I paid by credit card, and not from the refund.

So was I incorrectly charged for the $40 state filing?

[xmasbaby0]

@gretajake If you used online Deluxe then you do have an extra fee to prepare a state return.  The fees are separate for federal and state when you use online TurboTax.

[gretajake]

Thank you for responding.

Seems like, if the Turbotax Free option doesn't charge for State return, and if the only reason I had to buy Deluxe is because of my Federal return, then I still don't understand why I'm charged for my State return.

My State return was exactly the same between going from Free to Deluxe.  Nothing additional was needed for the the State return.

I guess it is what it is. :(