New TurboTax Pricing - Additional Fees Removed
Back in November, I reported that the purchase price for TurboTax included only one return, and that additional returns were charged $9.95 each. Now, the company has changed its mind. Shelley Elmblad, Guide to Financial Software, has new information about TurboTax pricing.
TurboTax has removed its e-filing fee and, according to a representative from TurboTax who commented on Shelley's post:
"TurboTax desktop customers can prepare and print MULTIPLE returns at NO ADDITIONAL COST - eliminating the $9.95 additional return preparation fee we had at the start of the tax sesaon. We also do include 5 federal e-files at no additional cost. We just want you to know that we heard you and your opinion counts."
Apparently, TurboTax listened to consumers, and maybe posts on this Guide Site and the Financial Software Guide Site helped change their minds. Here's a good example of why competition works; TurboTax didn't like many loyal customers turning to their competitor. Removing the additional fees was a smart move, even if it was a little late.
Now, you can make more valid comparisons between TurboTax and TaxCut based on the program features. I reported a few days ago on the differences in how both programs treat depreciation of equipement on Schedule C and I'll continue with a discussion of how they lead you through a corporate tax return on Form 1120 later this week.
Comments
Regarding the change in Turbotax pricing – I heard that while they relaxed the pricing for federal, they now allow only one return for each state copy you buy, so if you do your children’s returns you have to pay an additional $35 per child…sounds ridiculous….can you confirm?
Andy: Good question. Here is the response from Turbo Tax:
Once you purchase a state (California, for example) you can prepare as many returns as you want (federal and state). There is no additional fee. However, if you need to file taxes in 2 different states (i.e., NY and NJ) you get one state included with Deluxe version and up and then you would need to purchase the new state at $39.95.
So if you and your children are all in the same state, you only have to pay once. But if any of them live in another state, the 2nd state would have to be purchased.
I hope this helps clarify.
Good site, admin.