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March 31, 2025
Question

Direct Deposit Refund Fee for Non-Credit Karma Bank Account

  • March 31, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

Why does Turbo Tax charge me an additional $35 fee, outside the filing fees, for depositing a refund to a bank account not associated with Credit Karma?

 

I never had to do this with Turbo Tax in the past 15 years.

 

Turbo Tax is forcing me to open a bank account with Credit Karma to waive this fee, which they are marketing as an Early Refund Fee. It is ridiculous that I have to pay for this on top of the filing fees. When I call customer service, they indicate the fees are charged by some other bank—Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC  (SBTPG) 877-908-7228

 

This is my last year using Turbo Tax.

1 reply

March 31, 2025

It looks like that $35 dollar fee charge you are referring to is because you are signing up for the Up to 5 Days Early Option 

To opt in for this program, you will need to open a Credit Karma account. You can always go back and choose a different refund method, such as regular direct deposit. If the system is still charging you the $35 you can remove any unnecessary fees, see the links below. 

 

How do I review my fees in TurboTax Online? 

Why am I being charged for TurboTax Free Edition?

c_linuAuthor
April 7, 2025

There were only two options:

  1. Accept Direct Deposit via Credit Karma with no fees
  2. Accept Direct Deposit into my bank account with $35.35 Fees.

I never wanted 5 Days Early Optionand there was no option to opt-out.  

 

Option 2 has been my go-to option for the past 15 years, and I'm now being charged for it—under the guise of a benefit that I never wanted: the "5-Day Early Option." 

 

If you want to help, waive the $35.35 fee since I have already paid for filing via the Turbo Tax.

April 9, 2025

Did you elect to pay TurboTax from your refund?  That would account for the direct deposit fee, which does go to San Barbara Tax Group for processing.  

 

We can't refund or waive fees in this forum, but you can Contact TurboTax Support and use 'Billing' in the phone options menu.

 

@c_linu