Why am I being charged to file a state return after I purchased turbotax deluxe?

[xmasbaby0]

@abitsheepish 

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.

[Troupe2525]

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?

[xmasbaby0]

@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.

[DGT2]

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.

[xmasbaby0]

@DGT2

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 )

https://directfile.irs.gov/

[DGT2]

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.

[VolvoGirl]

@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.