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Solved

Bought turbotax with5 free fed& 1 free state filing but am being charged to file state return, i have never been charged the last 10 years, why this time?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
June 5, 2019
10 replies
0 views

i always buy the download that includes five free e files and one state. I have never been charged for the state until now, and i have filed this way since 2011 or earlier! Is it possible because they didn't owe before until this year?

TurboTax Home & Biz Windows

Best answer by EdwardLO

The version of TurboTax you're using allows you to prepare and print one state return at no charge. There is an additional fee if you wish to e-file your state return.

EdwardLOAnswer

The version of TurboTax you're using allows you to prepare and print one state return at no charge. There is an additional fee if you wish to e-file your state return.

Jules17Author

I get that, but every year prior i e filed state w fed in Missouri and was never charged. They also did not owe but it was e filed free!

taxlady28

Was some glitch in system if you were able to do that f or free for all those years.

Everyone else paid $20 or $25 for each state efile.

VolvoGirl

Employee

Sorry but you must not be remembering right. There has always been a fee to efile state from the Desktop program except for NY.

There is a lot of confusion about this. For the Desktop version it's a free download of one state PROGRAM, not returns filed. You can prepare unlimited federal and unlimited state returns. Some people need to file in more than one state so they have to buy another state program. You can print and mail the state for free or each state (including the first one) is 19.99 or 24.99 to efile. If you buy the cd at the store the Basic version does not include the state. And Deluxe is available both with and without the state. Because some states don't have an income tax.

Jules17Author

thank you for your answer but I do believe I remember not paying that is why i am surprised to see 19.99 to file it. i have the home and business version like I get every year

Kimmy1

For all the people that say it was never free, you are definitely wrong. This is the 1st year that Turbo Tax has decided to RIP people off. You paid for 1 free state, filed electronically...and now they are charging using the same pricing and promise of a free state.
They will lose a few customers being deceitful.

macuser_22

Employee

@Kimmy1- It depends on the version that you are using.

The web-based online version is a set price for state and there is not extra charge for e-filing.

The CD/download desktop version that runs on your computer comes with one free state *software. e-filing state has ALWAYS been extra. I always e-file Federal for free and mail file state for the price of a stamp. I have been using TurboTax since the very first year that TurboTax started offering e-file and state e-file has always been extra.

* Some retailers sell a basic version that is Federal only at a discounted price for people that do not need a state.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

Kimmy1

Well than apparently some people purchased CD download versions that had a glitch, and the glitch gave you 1 free state, electronically filed for free. The glitch lasted for years because I have used the same home and business, done 3 family members taxes, but never their state because I always saved the state for my own taxes, and I never paid to electronically file them, and I never mailed them in.

chrisrcolbert

I've been using TurboTax for years to and this is the first year 2019. That I've been charged to download State forms. $40 to download State forms I've never been charged that before. Only $19.95 to e-file for the state all previous years State returns have always been included with the tax software. Must be time to move on somewhere else and get different software from somebody else.

mesquitebean

Employee

@ chrisrcolbert wrote:

I've been using TurboTax for years to and this is the first year 2019. That I've been charged to download State forms. $40 to download State forms I've never been charged that before. Only $19.95 to e-file for the state all previous years State returns have always been included with the tax software. Must be time to move on somewhere else and get different software from somebody else.

There has been no change in the way desktop software handles included state programs. Not all desktop editions have a state program included, however, but this has been the case for years. For instance, Deluxe comes both ways--with and without state. So you need to explain more about exactly what product you purchased that didn't have a state program and where did you purchase it? The following list will tell you which ones do have state program included

In desktop software (CD/download), most editions include a state program download, but some don't.

Premier and Home and Business both have an included state program.
Basic Edition does not have a state program at all.
Deluxe Edition comes in 2 versions--one that is a combo Federal and State, and one that is Federal-only. When purchased directly from the TurboTax website, Deluxe is the combo Fed and State version. When purchased elsewhere, one has to be careful as to which version of Deluxe one is buying if one needs a state program.

NOTE: There is an additional fee in all editions above if one needs a second state program to prepare a state return for a different state.

There is a 19.99 state efile fee (24.99 later in filing season), except no fee to efile New York state return. There is no fee to print and mail the state returns.

Eukaryote86

5 free federal e-filings, and 5 free state filings (ONLY if you print out your state return and mail it off). If ANY user wants to e-file a state return, it is $24.99 (regardless of if you're the first user).

The claims on the packaging are definitely confusing, even misleading. For the longest time, I and others thought you got one free state filing. Really it is one free state DOWNLOAD. Meaning if you download software for California state, your remaining 4 users also can download California state software for free. If you have to file in another state, then it's $44.99 for each additional state. Your one free state software download can be done on different devices, including tablets. Hope that helps! I made sure with a TurboTax customer service representative.

TurboTax can definitely be more clear about their services. All these commercials saying they're free free free hooks people at first. I felt duped wasting my time only to be told at the end I'd need to pay $60 for TurboTax Deluxe plus another $50 for state. I ended up deciding to buy Home and Business and split it with four other people. Much much cheaper.

Spike5

I get a free return with my delux purchase. Why am I being billed again?

VolvoGirl

Employee

How much? There is a $25 fee to efile a state return from the Desktop program. In the Desktop program you get one free state PROGRAM download to prepare unlimited state returns. Then each state return (including the first one) is $20 to efile, usually goes up to $25 March 1. Or you can print and mail state for free.

jwylie82

i am being charged to efile the federal

VolvoGirl

Employee

There is a charge to prepare federal in Online Deluxe and above. What version do you have?

How to review your fees
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online/00/26353

For help with fees
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/what-can-i-do-to-reduce-my-fees/00/26051

kevin wittman

Turbotax has already been sued for the practice of misleading customers into thinking they can file one free state return. I think it is ridiculous that Intuit continues to mislead. You are already making a chunk of money from our purchase. This will be the last year I use your misleading company.

msmith2450

this is the first return and turbo tax wants to charge me $40 for the state return ling but am being charged to file state return,

Celtic1001

Buyer beware, if you file federal and state tax returns and federal gets rejected , for what should have been caught by TurboTax you will be charged an additional 20.000 fee to refile.!!!!!!!!

I will probably never use this product again