Why is this getting more and more expensive?

[BizzleBob007]

This product appears to be on its way to becoming another money grabbing scam. First I have to pay for the product ($54), then I have to pay to e-file my state taxes($20), and then there's a refund protection fee that I never agreed to, but apparently it's necessary to the e-filing process ($40). This new refund protection fee has never been necessary before and it seems like just another way to milk my refund of even more money. Going to HR Block last year cost me $100, so I used Turbo Tax this year to save some money. Turns out I just spent more money just to do it myself. I won't be using your product any more and I will discourage as many other people as I can from using it.

[VolvoGirl]

No you don't have to pay anything extra.  There is a $40 Pay with Refund Service charge (45 in California) if you want the 19.99 state efile fee deducted from your federal refund but that is optional and not required to efile or to get Direct Deposit .  You can pay the fee with a credit card to avoid the extra charge.

Go back through the File tab slowly and watch the screens and be careful what you click on.  There is one screen that can trip you up.  I think people get going too fast at the end to file and don't pay attention to what they are clicking on to continue.

[BizzleBob007]

Wait, so you're telling me it costs $40 just so I can spend $20 on my state taxes, which I already paid extra for (have to buy deluxe for $50 in order to file state, not just $30 for the standard). How is this not a scam? I have to pay $20 extra by buying deluxe to file state taxes, then I have to spend $20 more to receive the refund, and on top of that, if I don't pay with a credit card it costs an additional $40 to have it deducted from my refund. Just refund my $40 and I'll pay the second $20 fee with my credit card. Or is that $40 already gone?

[VolvoGirl]

I was just telling you that you do not have to pay the extra $40 to efile state.  You can avoid that fee.  And by the way you are going to be shocked because the 19.99 state efile fee just went up TODAY March 1 to 24.99.    The early discounted prices always expire in March.  

You can save the state fees by printing and mailing state for free.  

[masterlink146]

I bought my Turbo Tax Deluxe on sale $40.00 and split it with someone. So it only cost me $20.00.   You don't have to e-file your state. You can mail it in for free. you can opt out of all the extra things. You have to watch what you click on.