To lower your TurboTax fees, the most direct and effective approach is to review and remove any optional add-on services that may have been selected. Many users find their fees are higher than anticipated due to these additional features.
Identify and Remove Unnecessary Add-ons
TurboTax offers various supplementary services that, while potentially helpful, can increase your overall cost. By deselecting these during the filing process, especially if your fees seem unexpectedly high, you can significantly reduce the amount you pay.
Here are the key add-ons you should consider removing to lower your fees:
- PLUS Help & Support: This service typically provides on-demand access to tax experts or live assistance during your filing process. If you're comfortable navigating the software yourself, or if your tax situation is straightforward, removing this can lead to immediate savings.
- Pay With Your Refund: While convenient, choosing to pay your TurboTax fees directly from your tax refund often incurs an additional processing fee. If you opt out of this service, you'll need to pay your TurboTax fees upfront using a credit card or another payment method, thereby avoiding the extra charge.
- Premium Services: This category can encompass a range of enhanced features, which might include audit defense, identity theft protection, or more extensive support options. If these premium features are not essential for your current tax needs, deselecting them is a straightforward way to reduce your bill.
By carefully reviewing your selected services before finalizing your tax return, you can ensure you're only paying for the features you genuinely need. Regularly checking for and removing these optional add-ons is the primary method to control and reduce your TurboTax expenses.
For more detailed information on managing your account and billing, you can visit the official TurboTax support page.