TurboTax Advantage

[j_jarrett]

As a retiree I am currently using the basic tax program, and would like to know why my automatic payment for the annual (15+ years of using TT) TurboTax software download, which is publicly listed as costing $39.99, is charged at $40. Based on a minimum number, Intuit at least has a million advantage subscribers at various levels, which is $10,000.00 dollars a year from their .01 cent roundup. Has this occurred to anyone else? Or even bothered anyone else? Sure, what's a penny or $10000.00 to a mega-corporation! And are there other areas in which they do the same? I'd like to know if the why of this is addressed anywhere in their public financial statements. 

[Critter-3]

IMHO  there is no real advantage to the ADVANTAGE program any longer  so just buy the program from a reputable reseller for less  and cancel your advantage account.   Many resellers have discounts on the program and the price usually goes down as the season continues ( cheaper in March than in December) but beware of deep discounts from unknown sources as they could have malware or worse imbedded in them ... if the price sounds too good to be true it is.    AND  all the downloaded programs have all the same forms so save a few bucks and just but the Deluxe (Basic if you don't need a state program) and watch closely as the Deluxe is sold outside of TT  system both  with & without the state program. 

There are only 3 so called "advantages" any longer  ...  https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/advantage/

1) phone support from a dedicated number (word in the forum is you don't get any faster service using that number)

2) free shipping/download as soon as it is available  ( most places give free download ... and you don't really need the CD ever as it only has the beta version of the program on it anyway ... after installation you always have up update it  AND  no one needs the first beta version of the program in November which is not really fully operational until late January at the earliest ... some forms & states  not until March some years.  If you need to do any tax planning for the next tax year you need to use the prior year program which is already fully operational)

3)  free re-downloads for 3 years  ... all sellers do the same or you can always ask TT for another download for free

 What you can do now is get a refund for the download you already paid for and cancel the advantage membership so you don't get caught in the future then buy the program anywhere you like ... the TT site has these prices ... Basic is just $32 right now. 

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

To cancel your subscription, simply remove all products in your TurboTax Advantage account:

1. Sign in to TurboTax Advantage.
2. Select TurboTax Advantage on the right side of your screen.
• If you only see Sign up now, your subscription is already canceled or you're in the wrong account. Use our Account Recovery tool to get a list of all your TurboTax accounts, then sign in under the right account.
3. Select Remove product under each product listed
4. Once all products have been removed, you'll see the Sign up now button. This means your subscription has been canceled.

Tip: If you missed the cancelation deadline for this year's TurboTax product, simply wait until you receive your CD or download, then submit an online refund request within 60 days of receiving your product.

TurboTax support FAQ for cancelling an Advantage subscription - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-cancel-my-turbotax-advantage-subscriptio...

 

[j_jarrett]

Sorry for the delay, and thank you for your reply. It is great advice. It did not really answer my question tho, but I sense that this was the wrong place to put forward my concern. Again, thank you for your response.

[SteamTrain]

@j_jarrett 

I guess....I wonder where you see 39.99 for desktop Basic.

My TTX Desktop Selection page shows $40 , and has done so for at least a couple weeks now:

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[VolvoGirl]

Yeah, I noticed last year everything went up a penny to round amounts.  Like the Desktop program for a state efile went from 19.99 to $20.00 early and 24.99 to 25 on March 1.  Guess that can really add up.

[j_jarrett]

Color me very red! I was so wrong about what I read that got me started on my rant. Thank you for making me look again. It is the danger of misperception...

[VolvoGirl]

Wow, I just looked at Costco online and they have Deluxe (Federal only no state) for 39.99!  Deluxe not Basic.   That must be wrong.  I don't see Basic even listed at Costco.   Look around and check prices.   You can usually find Turbo Tax cheaper in stores.  

[VolvoGirl]

Oh, I guess that's because Turbo Tax only sells Deluxe with state.  So it looks like you can get Deluxe in stores for the same price as Basic.   So I would go for retail Deluxe.

[j_jarrett]

Thanks!

[stephenthomas]

I agree with Critter-3. The Advantage program says "you always get the direct-from-TurboTax price". What they don't say is that the direct price isn't cheaper. They billed me $100 for Premier. Today I see that's it's $54.99 on Amazon from the official Intuit store. The Advantage program looks like a convenient way for them to over charge loyal customers on a recuring basis. I'm cancelling mine now.

[Critter-3]

@stephenthomas 

FYI ... ALL the downloaded versions can handle ALL the same forms so you never need to buy more than the Deluxe (basic if you don't need a state return, don't want to import from it's deductible  and if you can find it outside of TT direct) program ever ... the higher versions are "recommended"  (can you say "upselling") it is never required.    And beware ... the Deluxe sold outside of TT direct  is sold with and without the state program so be aware of what you are buying if you need the state program ... adding the state later can only be done thru TT and at their inflated prices.