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February 23, 2020
Question

Why the heck you say it's free then charge me $40, and then another $40 for using my own freaking federal refund to pay for it!

  • February 23, 2020
  • 2 replies
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2 replies

February 23, 2020

Agree.  You just wasted your time.  You need to purchase the program.  You can only electronically submit 5 returns when you purchase the program.  I do more than 5 returns and some are very simple. W-2's and 1099T. Because of the education piece you can not complete the FREE filing.  The only way it is free is if you only have a W2!

SteamTrain
Employee
February 23, 2020

Yep...the Online users should pay for the software with a Credit card...never-ever with the Federal refund.  (unless you really don't care about the extra $40 "Fee" ). 

 

That extra "Fee" for using the Federal refund has been there for MANY years, and is required to make up for  the many people who end up not getting a Federal refund...then it costs the company/bank extra to go after those people for their software charges...

 

____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*
DoninGA
Employee
February 23, 2020

You either started with or upgraded to the Deluxe online edition from the Free edition for a federal tax return - $40

Option to pay the TurbTax account fees with the federal tax refund - third party service charge $40

 

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

OR -

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 2019 online tax return. Click on Clear & Start Over.

OR -

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

 

To qualify for free 2019 federal and state tax returns with the Free File Program, you'll need to meet at least one of these requirements:

  • A maximum 2019 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $36,000; 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 2019 AGI of $69,000 (you'll also need a military-issued W-2).

See this TurboTax support FAQ on the Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the difference between the Free File Progam and the Free edition - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572617-what-s-the-difference-between-free-file-program-and-free-e...

And see this TurboTax support FAQ on how to switch to the TurboTax Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program