Why did TurboTax FORCE me to upgrade then proceed to charge me????

[emnem]

This is my first time filing with TurboTax and I decided to for they preach about the free service and how easy and fast it is. So, I was filing and right before I was done, it was telling me that I needed to upgrade in order to file. what? I don’t understand how a business like this could lead you on like that just to disappoint. I didn’t plan on going through with the upgrade. Yet, my account was charged and I lost $200 dollars. That’s insane. All that to not even get enough back on my return to cover this expense. To make it even better, there is no way I can get my money back. TurboTax is a scam and I will never file with them again.

[DoninGA]

This is what you could have done instead of just accepting the cost and paying for the account -

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 2023 online tax return. Click on Clear & Start Over.

Go to this TurboTax website for the Free online edition - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp

Please Note -

TurboTax Online: Important Details about Filing Form 1040 Returns with Limited Credits

A Form 1040 return with limited credits is one that's filed using IRS Form 1040 only (with the exception of the specific covered situations described below). Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible.

If you have a Form 1040 return and are claiming limited credits only, you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition or TurboTax Live Assisted Basic (if available), or you can file with TurboTax Full Service at the listed price.

Situations covered (assuming no added tax complexity):

• W-2 income
• Interest or dividends (1099-INT/1099-DIV) that don’t require filing a Schedule B
• IRS standard deduction
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
• Child Tax Credit (CTC)
• Student loan interest deduction

Situations not covered:

• Itemized deductions claimed on Schedule A
• Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
• Business or 1099-NEC income
• Stock sales (including crypto investments)
• Rental property income
• Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules

[olegyk]

Same happened to me. For a simple 1040 without any extra deduction, I was charged $69 Deluxe version.

[ee-ea]

@olegyk 

What is not listed as free is not free!

Meet the qualifications and it is free.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/modals/simple-tax-return/

if you do not try elsewhere

https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

If you do

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/change-service-level/downgrade-lower-pri...

Fee review

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-account-billing/review-fees-turbo...

[olegyk]

I did meet the qualification for File Free. And still was charged $69 for Deluxe which I did not need.

[olegyk]

False advertising

[dangaio1]

Before submitting your tax return the ONLINE version automatically determines which version you "require" based on all the relevant data you entered into the system. Even if you met with an agent in-person the same thing would have likely happened. Everyones tax situation is different, so it helps knowing ahead of time what version you need, so there aren't any surprises.

[romemajette]

Well its pretty ez to tell someone what they could hv done afterwards... I also completed the filing process and afterwards was forced to upgrade or start over after an hr of working on it.. Its just disgusting to aggressively go after ppls hard earned money that way..MOST PPL will not be able to figure out how to avoid it once the page pops up... And im sure intuit knows it... You basically extorted me...and when a civil suit arises...i will be the first name on it. How dare yall. 

[SilentKore]

I had the same issue with the excuse that I have "Retirement Savings Contribution Credit" which all answers were answered NO, and the only savings I have is my savings account. Even told, my 1095 C form does not need to be reported, only 1095 A which I do not have.

All because a $3 credit when answering "No, this does not apply for me" forces me to pay $70

Never had a $401k, my savings is my 401.

There is no "Clear and Start Over" tool.

I was willing to pay with only costing $39...

Then it's $80 for both, wasted too much time, **bleep**ing **bleep** it...

Final fee of $119...for a $260 refund.

[xmasbaby0]

@SilentKore You can disqualify yourself from the pesky retirement saving credit that is triggering that upgrade if you tell the software in MY INFO that you were a student.  That will not go to the IRS but it will trick the software out of giving you a $3 credit you do not want.  

Or----if it is not too late---abandon TurboTax if you want to

Or—-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

In Filing Season 2025, Direct File will be available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

https://directfile.irs.gov/

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2629

[Vash1234]

Selecting that you were a student worked for me. I don't understand how they think 120$ for an 8$ credit makes sense. Turbotax is garbage now

[9920jones]

You are wrong, Intuit in your answer.  I have started over 4 times, and each time it only allows me to use the recommended option.  It shows me other pricing, but does not allow me to select any of them.  You are forcing me to use your recommendation.

[MarilynG1]

Here's a link to the IRS Free File Program.

@9920jones