Warning: Turbotax free is not free

[tfudtuckerpucker]

My daughter just tried the "Turbotax free" online filing for her 2013 federal income tax. It is advertised as "free", but it then switches you to the $19.95 version. From doing some searches, this is apparently a common complaint. You can contact customer support and ask for a "discount code", and they will remove the charge. This is after waiting on hold for nearly an hour.

Just a heads-up. There are free online tax services, that don't play this game.

 

[pb4uski]

That is odd. I helped both of my (adult) kids with their tax returns and the return, federal e-filing and state e-filing were all free. One state was TT the other was another vendor.

In each case I started from the relevant state tax department website.

 

[Animorph]

Was it perhaps a case of needing Form 1040 instead of just 1040EZ?

 

[mrmobile]

Free vs. Basic Turbotax

I did the free Turbo Tax accessed through by own bank's website to prepare my 1040 but when I found I couldn't understand, again, the Georgia tax return instructions I went back and paid $27 for the T.Tax basic, accessed my account, and e-filed both returns. Actually if your time is worth anything, the basic is a bargain. I noticed that T. Tax at the big box store was expensive to buy. Its cheaper closer to filing time.