You can efile your federal for free but you have to pay to efile your state tax. That is why it is prompting you to pay for it.
This is BS - the Deluxe version of TT clearly states FREE STATE FILING
I have the same question. I specifically purchased the TurboTax Deluxe with State Return included (one State).
I am now trying to E-File my Federal and State returns, and it is wanting to charge me $20 for the State Return to be E-Filed. Something is wrong.
To see what you are being charged for please follow the instructions in the following FAQ. https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online/00/26353
If you have not yet filed your tax return, then proceed to follow the directions in the FAQ below to remove all unwanted add-ons.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/what-can-i-do-to-reduce-my-fees/00/26051
Thanks for your reply, but I am not using TurboTax Online. I purchased the product, received it and downloaded on my PC, just like I have done for many years. I specifically purchased the Deluxe version that included one Free State Return E-File. So why am I being asked to pay $20? I had to enter the License Code of the product to download it. That License Code should identify my SW as one that includes the one Free E-File for a State Return. I need TurboTax to Explain why this is happening and what needs to be done to correct it.
What phone number do I call to reach a human being that can assist?
@RudyValley wrote:
Thanks for your reply, but I am not using TurboTax Online. I purchased the product, received it and downloaded on my PC, just like I have done for many years. I specifically purchased the Deluxe version that included one Free State Return E-File. So why am I being asked to pay $20? I had to enter the License Code of the product to download it. That License Code should identify my SW as one that includes the one Free E-File for a State Return. I need TurboTax to Explain why this is happening and what needs to be done to correct it.
What phone number do I call to reach a human being that can assist?
There is one free state program download if you purchased the Deluxe desktop edition or higher. This does not include and has not included a free state e-file when using the desktop editions for at least the last ten years or longer.
The current e-file charge for state tax return when using the desktop editions is $20. The price increases to $25 on March 1. You can avoid the e-file charge by printing and mailing the state tax return.
Totally false advertising, and it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. It would be a much better business decision to be upfront about costs and avoid deception. You made an extra $20 off me this year, Turbotax, but lost the $60+ I would have spent next year. It's too bad, because otherwise I really like and appreciate the services Turbotax offers.
Why am I being charged $25 to e-file the first State return? I bought Home & Business that stated the first State e-file is free.
@Zitam-42 wrote:
Why am I being charged $25 to e-file the first State return? I bought Home & Business that stated the first State e-file is free.
There is one free state program download if you purchased the Deluxe desktop edition or higher. This does not include and has not included a free state e-file when using the desktop editions for at least the last ten years or longer.
The current e-file charge for state tax return when using the desktop editions is $25. The e-file fee can be avoided by printing and mailing the state tax return.
Go to this TurboTax website for the desktop CD/Download editions and click on the link directly below the price - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/
1 state download. State e-file additional
So, the original question was "WHY am I being charged to e-file the state return?"
Who charges this fee? Is it Turbo Tax? Is it the state? Where is this money going?
WHY is it included to efile the federal, but there is a charge to efile the state???
I always mail mine in to avoid this fee, but as many others have stated- this is regressive in this day and age, and wasteful of paper, etc.
Please visit our website Turbotax.com. Click on the blue hyperlink that says 1 state download. State e-file additional located under the product you selected. This will provide the cost of the state and e-filing.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/deluxe.jsp
What is included in TurboTax CD/Download
Free Federal E-file Included — Free e-file of your federal tax return is included with your purchase of TurboTax CD/Download.
E-file Multiple Returns — Prepare and e-file up to five (5) federal tax returns at no additional cost. (This is the maximum returns limit set by the IRS.)
E-file State Return(s) — E-file your state return(s) for only $24.99 per state return.** You may e-file up to three (3) state returns per federal tax return.
or Print and Mail Your Return(s) — Print as many copies of your federal and state returns as you need for free when you purchase TurboTax CD/Download.
@srrrrr
This is completely not responsive to the question.
Yes, we're aware there is a fee to e-file the state forms.
Please reread the questions
Yes, the fee is charged by TurboTax. To avoid the fee, visit your state department's website for options. Please use this link to contact Customer Support if you need further assistance as we are not able to assist with or discuss billing issues here in the community.
@srrrrr
This is complete BS. Paying for Deluxe is entirely a scam and I will never be purchasing it again. Turbo tried to charge me an extra $20 to eFile with my state when I can eFile with my state FOR FREE. Just complete lies. I've enjoyed using TurboTax over the years, but I think I've about had it with all these hidden fees. Say goodbye to my future monies.
STATE E-FILE FEE FOR CD/DWNLOAD
Lots of people misunderstand this. When you buy the CD/download with a state return included --- it includes the software to PREPARE the returns of the specific state of your choosing. There is always---always---an extra fee to e-file the state return. Before March 1 that state e-file fee is $20; after March 1 it increases to $25. You can avoid the state e-file fee if you print and mail the state instead. Then you just need to pay for a stamp.
If you file for free you don't have to pay the e-file fee. So why do you have to pay for it in deluxe?
@Troupe2525 Deluxe is a paid version of the software. If you use Deluxe for federal you are also using Deluxe for the state return, and you pay for using it.
Agree, this is a scam. I do not efile but it is my only choice. Probably go with different software next year. Been with TurboTax for years but now they being deceitful. Time to move on.
Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free. There are 8 free software versions available from the IRS Free File site
https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
Or—if you live in certain states you may be eligible to use the new IRS Direct File
( AZ, CA, FL, MA, NH, NV, NY, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY )
Well, got mine to work..
I purchased the Deluxe TurboTax from Amazon with Federal and State
I purchased, downloaded, unzipped, installed, etc. but when launched it acted like a previous version, I had purchased that did not include State.
Well, I found that when TurboTax starts it selects the license already installed. The old non-State version in my case. Note: both were 2023 versions.
To correct I did the following.
I went to the Amazon link (“Your Games and Software Library”) where I previously downloaded the new TurboTax and copied down the new “License Key” for the latest purchase/download that include State.
Then I started TurboTax.
After it started I selected the “Online” tab and then selected “View Installed Updates” to make sure the State was included in the “Update Currently Installed” box. Then selected “Close”.
I then selected the “Help” tab and scrolled down to “Switch Product” and selected “Activate New Product”
TurboTax will say it needs to restart. Click OK. TurboTax will close.
Mine did not restart so I restarted TurboTax myself.
Once it started a box opened showing my old License Key also had an option “Add another code”.
I clicked that option: “Add another code” and typed in the new License Code copied down from the latest purchase.
Then it started up with the ability to work on the State w/o asking for an additional purchase.
@DGT2 Thanks for posting how to activate another License. You could have just bought the state program inside your first program instead of buying a whole new version. Were you able to get a refund for the first one?
And you do realize that there is a separate $25 fee at the end if you want to efile state? Or you can print and mail state for free.