When I downloaded 2033 turbo tax, I learned that I must pay an additional fee to access the product. Why?

[DoninGA]

If you purchased the 2022 TurboTax CD/Download software from TurboTax there is no additional fees to complete and file a federal tax return.  If you selected the Deluxe desktop edition or higher there is one free state program included in the purchase price if purchased through TurboTax.

There is an e-file fee for a state tax return of $20 ($25 on March 1 or later).  This fee can be avoided by printing and mailing the state return.

Did you use this TurboTax website to purchase the 2022 desktop CD/Download program? - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

What exactly is the message you are seeing that is asking for a payment?

[VolvoGirl]

Sounds like you bought the Desktop program but used the Online version?  Did you get the Desktop program installed?  You can't fill out your tax return if you have not entered the License Code first.   If there was a black menu bar down the left side that was the Online web version and not your Desktop program.

I see people all the time that have bought the CD/Download Desktop Software but then somehow ended up using the Online version and didn't know it.  If that happened to you,  you can move your Online file to the Desktop program and continue without paying for Online or needing to reenter your info. Post back if you need to know how to move it to your Desktop program.

To continue in the desktop version see this…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-th...

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW).

[rdeane · Accepted solution]

Thanks VolvoGirl: Your reply was excellent. I purchased the TurboTax CD version at a big box store (Costco?), but when I went to install the program via the CD, I could not put my hands on my external CD drive. I saw the option for installing from the web site, but did nut understand the consequences of using the program online. Your explanation was on point, so took the 5r minutes required to locate my CD drive. Everything worked out fine. Thanks!! 

[VolvoGirl]

I just bought the CD from Costco.  But I used the download method to install it.  The download is usually the better way especially if you don't have a CD drive.  Download is not the same as the Online version.  On the Costco CD envelope it gives you the 2 ways to install it.  Don't understand how you got routed to the Online version if that's what happened.