What is the $20 additional charge for listed under "Maximum Refund Guarantee"? I already have one free federal e-file and a $20 state filing fee.

[xmasbaby0]

When you use desktop software, there is an additional fee to e-file a state return.  You can avoid that fee if you print, sign and mail the state return.  The state e-file fee is $19.99 and increases in March.

[mbwellsdo]

I understand that there is a $20 ($19.99) state e-file fee.  When I go to file is wants to charge me and extra $20.00, for a total of $40, under "Maximum Refund Guarantee". I am trying to determine why it is charging this "extra" fee.

[VolvoGirl]

I don't think there is another $20 fee for anything.  You might be seeing a $40 fee in addition to the $20 state efile.  So it might actually be $60.  There is a $40 Pay with Refund Service charge if you want the state fee deducted from your refund.

Go back though the File tab and watch the screens.  There is one at the end that's easy to click on the wrong button.  Watch out for this screen.

[Wisconsin2495]

Never mind 🙂

[Wisconsin2495]

There IS an additional and NEW fee of $20 as shown below. This is in addition to the $20 state e-file fee.

[xmasbaby0]

Have you looked at your credit card statement?  Does it show a charge of more than $20 for the date that you e-filed?

No one in the user forum can resolve a billing issue.  If you have a question about your TurboTax fees or billing, make sure you use the word “billing” in your request for help.  Do not use the word “refund.”

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

[VolvoGirl]

That line just looks like the total of the fees above.  

[Wisconsin2495]

You are totally right! When I went to the next screen I saw a $40 charge (which I believe was the cost if you want them to deduct the $20 from the return) and I assumed it was an additional charge. Apologies for the confusion.

[Wisconsin2495]

Totally my mistake. It just happened that a charge for deducting the fee from the return was $40, the same as 2 $20 charges, so I made an assumption without reading it carefully enough. Apologies for the confusion.

[VolvoGirl]

So you saw that extra 40?  Do you want to avoid it?  

Go back through the File tab slowly and watch the screens and be careful what you click on.  There is one screen that can trip you up.  I think people get going too fast at the end to file and don't pay attention to what they are clicking on to continue.

[carrillo9876]

bought turbotax with state filing included but TURBO TAX charged me an additional $20.  getting screwed by turbo tax

[TiffanyL]

In the desktop software  (CD/download) there is a 19.99 fee to efile a state return. The other fee is NOT for "Maximum Guarantee".  It's a service fee for the optional method of payment you chose. If you pay the 19.99 (plus possible sales tax) upfront with credit/debit card or a prepaid debit card you can buy in a store, there is no additional fee.

However, if you choose the option to pay the 19.99 fee out of your Federal refund,  there is an additional $40 service fee. You can avoid that $40 or $45 fee by not selecting to pay your fees by that optional method and paying your 19.99 fee upfront directly by card as I mentioned above. 

Please let us know if this helps.

[VolvoGirl]

@carrillo9876  In the Desktop program it is not a state filing but 1 free state PROGRAM download to prepare unlimited returns in that state.  Then each state efile (including the first one) is $20 (goes up to 25 on March 1).  Or you can print and mail state for free.  

[skidac5]

I have used turbo tax(free efile for fed and 1 state) for years and have never seen this extra $20 fee at the end. Now that I have to submit 2 states, I not only had to pay $40 for the extra state through intuit and now $20 each per state at the end? Explain why again please? This does not make sense.