Had to pay money for turbotax due to claiming Educator Expense Deductions. This is a burden to our underpaid teachers to charge fees to claim certain deductions. It basically washes away all the benefit that teachers deserve by pushing them out of the Free software to the paid software just to claim a deduction. This is unfair and burdensome.
I've been using TurboTax for many years. Sadly, this will be the last year I'll use the software. The IRS and Pennsylvania have finally arrived in the times to provide an online portal that is customer friendly and FREE. Yes, our government is kind enough to provide a free, user-friendly format for us to now ensure we are giving them our tax dollars in an efficient manner. Adding the additional fee to file State taxes is the caveat that really makes the move more attractive...$78 to file vs. Free. Next year I'll save $78.
in the beginning you click the box to do your file for free. Never does it advise you why you must pay $39 for federal and another $39 for state. As your file it is going great until the end. Turbotax forces you to add premium service benefits for $44. There is no way to remove that fee if you want to pay the other fees from your federal refund... I find that very sneaky to be forced to do so to be able to file your taxes..