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New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 1:40:10 AM

Why can't I remove Premium Service Benefits from my purchase?

0 23 19340
1 Best answer
New Member
Jun 6, 2019 1:40:11 AM

The service to pay with your refund is a free option that comes with the Premium Services bundle (available in CA), which also includes Tax Identity Restoration and Audit Defense.

If you really want to remove these benefits, you can choose to pay with your credit card.  

Here’s how to delete Premium Services from your purchase:
  1. Sign in to your return, then click File in the upper right corner.
  2. Click Start next to Step 1 - Review your order.
         -If you don't see this, click Revisit next to You've chosen to deduct your TurboTax fees
  3. When you get to your order summary, click Remove underneath Premium Services benefits.
  4. On the next screen, click Remove benefits
  5. Make sure to select Pay with credit card when we ask how you want to pay.

23 Replies
New Member
Jun 6, 2019 1:40:11 AM

The service to pay with your refund is a free option that comes with the Premium Services bundle (available in CA), which also includes Tax Identity Restoration and Audit Defense.

If you really want to remove these benefits, you can choose to pay with your credit card.  

Here’s how to delete Premium Services from your purchase:
  1. Sign in to your return, then click File in the upper right corner.
  2. Click Start next to Step 1 - Review your order.
         -If you don't see this, click Revisit next to You've chosen to deduct your TurboTax fees
  3. When you get to your order summary, click Remove underneath Premium Services benefits.
  4. On the next screen, click Remove benefits
  5. Make sure to select Pay with credit card when we ask how you want to pay.

New Member
Feb 27, 2021 3:15:34 PM

I do not want Premier services. 

But when I follow the steps to remove them, the option to remove them are not there.

I NEVER selected to use premier services. It automatically began asking me questions. I figured I could go back and change it -- but I could not figure out how. 

When I go to "Review your order" and click "start" I see that I have been pre-selected to use PREMIER, and it gives me an option to upgrade to DELUX. I don't want either. But there is to option to remove either. The only buttons I can interact with (on either my computer or my phone) are: 100% refund guaranteed, Add MAX, < Back, I have a service code, and View Payment Options. There is no option to REMOVE Premier. When I click on View payment options there STILL isn't an option to remove premier. Just Pay with Credit Card and Pay with Federal Refund. 

Level 15
Feb 27, 2021 3:16:40 PM


@matthewzak311 wrote:

I do not want Premier services. 

But when I follow the steps to remove them, the option to remove them are not there.

I NEVER selected to use premier services. It automatically began asking me questions. I figured I could go back and change it -- but I could not figure out how. 

When I go to "Review your order" and click "start" I see that I have been pre-selected to use PREMIER, and it gives me an option to upgrade to DELUX. I don't want either. But there is to option to remove either. The only buttons I can interact with (on either my computer or my phone) are: 100% refund guaranteed, Add MAX, < Back, I have a service code, and View Payment Options. There is no option to REMOVE Premier. When I click on View payment options there STILL isn't an option to remove premier. Just Pay with Credit Card and Pay with Federal Refund. 


See this TurboTax support FAQ for checking your fees - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online/0...

See this TurboTax support FAQ for removing fees - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/what-can-i-do-to-reduce-my-fees/01/26051

 

The TurboTax Free online edition is for very simple tax returns that do not require any other form or schedule other than the Form 1040.  If your tax data requires entry on any other form or schedule then you must upgrade to the Deluxe edition or higher.

 

If you have not paid for the online edition you are using, have not filed your tax return or registered the Free edition, then you can clear your return and start over with a lower priced edition. Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the program screen while working on the 2020 online tax return. Click on Clear & Start Over.

 

OR - 

 

You can use the TurboTax Free File Program - https://freefile.intuit.com/

IRS Free File Program - https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
If you are eligible you can use the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax which is free to file both a federal and state tax return. The IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax edition is a full featured personal tax program and on a separate website from the TurboTax online editions.

To qualify for free 2020 federal and state tax returns with the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax, you'll need to meet at least one of these requirements:

 

  • A maximum 2020 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $39,000; or
  • You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
  • You served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum 2020 AGI of $72,000 (you'll also need a military-issued W-2).

See this TurboTax support FAQ on the Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program/00/...

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the difference between the Free File Program and the Free edition - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-s-the-difference-between-free-file-pr...
And see this TurboTax support FAQ on how to switch to the TurboTax Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program/00/...

New Member
Feb 26, 2022 4:30:29 PM

Turbotax should notify that there is a $44 dollar charge to pay with your refund. (Since it upgrades you automatically to premium service). I have used turbotax for 6 years, and the past two years it offers the option to pay with your refund, AND doesn't state or inform customer of the extra charge. This is intentional and unethical. You have lost a yearly customer because of the shady tactics you employ. Also, spoke with a representative and he couldn't even identify why I was being charged the premium service fee. Turbotax has the technology to make a better effort to inform customers when they are being charged and why. This is deceptive business practice and personally I won't be using Turbotax for this reason. Waste of time and money. And the customer still holds all the liability. 

Level 15
Feb 26, 2022 4:33:48 PM

Are you in California? If you want to have the fees deducted from your federal refund there is an EXTRA 40 Pay with Refund service charge (45 in California) or you can avoid the fee by paying upfront with a credit card.


What is Premium Services?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-is-the-premium-services-bundle/00/25541

 

Level 1
Mar 26, 2022 5:20:12 PM

Yeah, this is absolutely ridiculous. I'm experiencing this right now and had been messaging with customer service for an hour, and just now they told me my only option is to wipe everything and completely start over after spending two hours from start to finish. It was NOT explicitly stated that paying the TurboTax fees with your refund would ADD $44 dollars to those fees, and now I can't remove it without wiping everything I've done? I already tried going back in and changing my payment preference to using my credit card, I ALREADY PAID and got a receipt that I paid for TurboTax fees with my card, and now I have to wipe and start over? I'm done. Shame on you Turbo Tax, way to lose a dedicated customer over such deceptive BS.

Intuit Alumni
Mar 27, 2022 7:35:14 AM

If you have paid using your credit card, you would need to contact us by phone in order to receive a refund of any fees. We are unable to view your account to assist with any refunds here in this public forum. @sarahgoldstein96

Level 15
Mar 27, 2022 1:33:21 PM

@sarahgoldstein96  You do not have to start over.  And anyway if you already paid it won't let you clear and start over.  Are you using the Online version or the Desktop program? You could have removed Premium services before you paid.

 

In the California Desktop program to remove Audit Defense and Premium Services you have to change to pay the $20 or 25 state efile fee by credit card and not by having it deducted from your federal refund.  Or print and mail state for free.  Go back through the File tab again and change to pay with a credit card.  Then if Audit Defense is still there you can remove it.

 

In the Online version,  If you are in California you need to remove the Premium Service first then pay with a credit card

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-remove-premium-services/00/26266

 

 

What is Premium Service?

What is Premium Services?

 

If you are in California you need to remove the Premium Service first

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-remove-premium-services/00/26266

Returning Member
Apr 13, 2022 6:44:37 PM

@VolvoGirl  Except....that doesn't work. At least not for me. The moment I click Remove under Premium Services Benefits I am met with a white screen with no loading or any prompt. I have tried with 5-6 different browsers with the same results.

Intuit Alumni
Apr 14, 2022 8:37:48 AM

For one-on-one assistance with this experience, please visit the link below for help from Customer Support. @Calestorm

 

How do I contact TurboTax?

 

New Member
Apr 16, 2022 8:30:30 PM

The option to remove premium services does not work. Is this an intentional "bug"? This is so shady!!!

Intuit Alumni
Apr 17, 2022 7:58:40 AM

If you want to remove Premium Services, you need to do so before:

  • Completing your order and
  • Using any of the features (though you won’t have to clear and start over)

For more details on how to remove these services, please see the Help Article here.

 

@grishick

Level 1
Apr 17, 2022 8:56:57 PM

I click through to "remove" and the page just reloads back with the charge there.  I am losing my mind with this.  I want to remove that service as I did not know it would be $44 to pay the $59 and $49 fees from refund.  I cannot delete it even through performing every step as directed by intuit and the community for removing the Premium Services add on.  Frustrating.

Level 1
Apr 17, 2022 8:58:34 PM

SAME!!!

Level 15
Apr 17, 2022 9:08:37 PM


@ smmmc

  wrote:

I click through to "remove" and the page just reloads back with the charge there.  I am losing my mind with this.  I want to remove that service as I did not know it would be $44 to pay the $59 and $49 fees from refund.  I cannot delete it even through performing every step as directed by intuit and the community for removing the Premium Services add on.  Frustrating.


I'll assume you are using this method:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-remove-premium-services/00/26266

One of the steps is to click on "remove" followed by a step "remove and pay by credit card."  Are you not getting any change at all after the first "remove"?

 

If those steps are not working for you, do you have a different browser handy to see if it could be browser-related? 

Or try this.  Log out of TurboTax and empty your browser Internet cache.  Close browser and reopen it.  This time, open a private window (private browsing aka "incognito mode.")  Then go to the TurboTax website and try to remove it again.

 

Here's how to reach TurboTax Support for assistance.  You need to get it taken care of before proceeding since they are unlikely to refund it if you proceed to file without removing it.

Support hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern), 7 days/week


FAQ: What is the TurboTax phone number?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

Level 1
Feb 20, 2024 1:29:11 PM

They have used this same underhanded tactic in the 2023 version of TurboTax Deluxe purchased at Costco.com.  There is no way to remove the fee.  This fee is NOT the audit protection fee that is disclosed.  I am not confusing the two. This is the TurboTax Premium Service fee that is not disclosed at all until you are ready to file electronically.

Very Very Very poor tactic

Level 15
Feb 20, 2024 1:39:54 PM

Yes you can remove the Refund Processing Service charge in the Desktop program if you haven't filed yet.  Go back though the File tab SLOWLY and watch out for the screen to pay the state efile fee.  People get going to fast and clicking on the right corner box to continue.  But you have to click on the left box to pay with a credit card to avoid the fee.  I thought I had a screen shot.  I'll go look for it.  

 

 

Level 15
Feb 20, 2024 1:46:01 PM

@chilemike  Are you in California?  

If you are in California and want the 20 state efile fee (25 after March 1) deducted from your federal refund you have to sign up for Premium $45 which includes Audit Defense. Or you can pay the 20/25 fee with a credit card to avoid the extra charge. Or you can print and mail state for free.


In California Desktop program to remove Audit Defense and Premium Services you have to change to pay the 20/25 state efile fee by credit card and not by having it deducted from your federal refund. Or print and mail state for free. Go back through the File tab again and change to pay with a credit card. Then if Audit Defense is still there you can remove it.

Level 15
Feb 20, 2024 2:11:58 PM

Here is a screen shot another user posted.  (If you are in California the fee is $45.)

 

 

 

Level 1
Feb 21, 2024 8:17:16 AM

Thanks for the tip.  Usually I do do a hard copy file with the state.  This year I decided to go ahead and pay the $20 but didn't realize that there is a $45 fee to pay the $20. 

Your explanation was quite clear.  Nothing like that on the TurboTax site or even googling didn't really give the explanation.

I still say however, Inuit is attempting to sneak one by underhandedly.  NOWHERE is this process or situation concisely explained or advertised

Level 1
Apr 4, 2024 1:14:02 PM

Exactly. That's where I'm stuck at. Last year I used Premium because I had a very complicated tax return. This year my tax return is very basic, nothing special at all, and they're still trying to charge me for Premium and I see no way to remove it and at no point did it ask or notify me if I still want to use premium. I clicked no on everything additional it tried to offer. 

Doing my taxes this year on Turbotax, so many offers and stuff popped up. It's crazy but getting to the end and seeing a massive charge for Premium when I was never asked is crazy. It really feels like they're trying to pull a scam. 

Level 15
Apr 4, 2024 1:17:18 PM

@KingDavidXXIV

How can I see my TurboTax  fees? 

 

  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online

 

If your TurboTax fees are higher than expected, you can reduce them by removing add-ons     (BEFORE you e-file) :

 

Level 15
Apr 4, 2024 1:17:32 PM