Intuit Offers $25 Refund To TurboTax Deluxe Users Hurt By Software Changes

[brooklynite]

Source: Forbes

Facing a noisy revolt by longtime users of its TurboTax Deluxe software, Intuit is offering some of them a $25 refund and an apology. “The reality is we messed up. We made a mistake. We caused a lot of anger and frustration for our customers,’’ Sasan Goodarzi, General Manager of Intuit’s TurboTax division, said in an interview Thursday night. His written mea culpa is being posted on the TurboTax web site and emailed to users of TurboTax Deluxe 2013.

What’s angered many long-time users of the boxed and download versions of the tax prep program, is that while TurboTax Deluxe 2014 sells for the same list price as TurboTax Deluxe 2013 did, it can no longer be used to electronically file Schedule D, for capital gains and losses; Schedule E, for rental real estate, royalties and distributions from partnerships; Schedule C, for profit and loss from a sole proprietorship business; or Schedule F, for farm income. This year, those who need to file a Schedule D or E must trade up to TurboTax Premier, while a Schedule C or F requires the even more expensive TurboTax Home & Business.

Forbes reported two weeks ago that dissatisfied Deluxe users who were forced to upgrade could call TurboTax’s toll free number (800-445-1875, from 8 AM to 8 PM EST) and demand a free upgrade. Goodarzi said today, however, that TurboTax will no longer be offering callers free upgrades. Instead, all past Deluxe users who have been forced to upgrade—whether they call to complain or not—will get the same $25. Eligibility is limited to those who filed electronically in 2013 using Deluxe, but this year use a more expensive version. Information about the refund will be contained in new updates that software users download and will appear in a message from Intuit after eligible taxpayers electronically file this year. In addition, customer service representatives at the 800 number should be able to explain the rebate and confirm whether a user is eligible. Note: The refund won’t be paid until a taxpayer files his 2014 return and the application for a refund must be submitted by April 20th.

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/janetnovack/2015/01/22/intuit-offers-25-refund-to-turbotax-deluxe-users-hurt-by-software-changes/

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Probably one of the worst business decisions in the past decade. H&R Block has been cashing in by offering free copies of their competing product to anyone who shows they bought TurboTax.

[bemildred]

1. I can do without them fine, they've been getting greedy for a while. nt

[ananda]

2. I think this year I will..

.. just use the IRS site and file directly with them.

And it's free.

[jen1980]

5. But the Republicans don't allow you to do that!

In many (most?) cases. It is not allowed.

[mnhtnbb]

3. This year anyone who needed two different TurboTax programs got 2 copies of each!

if they were signed up for auto renew. haha. Jeeze. I've been using TurboTax for years now, instead of taking taxes
to an accountant. So I've saved a lot of money. I will give my 2nd copy of home & business to my youngest son.

[7962]

4. Thank goodness I have a guy to do mine! I'd be lost otherwise. nt

[on point]

6. Had it with them. Been going downhill for years. They deserve their worst tax season ever

Going elsewhere for solution.

[tammywammy]

7. I sent this to my dad.

I know he has to file at least a schedule C. He always buys Turbo Tax, and generously lets me use it too.

[sendero]

8. Intuit has been...

... pulling this same sort of crap, removing features unless you "upgrade" , since at least the mid 90s. They did it to me when they added hundreds of dollars of extra cost to get payroll tables with my Quickbooks.

I learned how to do payroll without their "upgrade", I wasn't going to pay hundreds of dollars a year to do a 2 man payroll.

They are a sleazy company that thinks they can just bend their users over. We did our taxes, including advanced schedules, using Turbo Tax last year, this year we're switching to H&R Block's package, which by all accounts is as good as Intuit's.

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. H&R Block?

Do you have a link for that? I didn't see anything on their site.

These greedy fuckers split dividends and capital gains into 2 versions? And they want $30 more for the 'benefit' of filing the latter electronically? Had it with Intuit and their crappy business model.

[brooklynite]

10. see below

H&R Block is offering it own Basic and Deluxe software packages free to TurboTax customers. It asks them to e-mail [e-mail] proof of purchase such as a photo of a store receipt or the download code from the Intuit software.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20150120_TurboTax_and_Block_offer_free_software_after_program_change.html

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. Beauty.

Thank you!

[SteveG]

13. I've been using the H&R Block software and it's predecessors forever

and have been very happy with it.

[PatrynXX]

12. we've been using H&R block for years usually on from the free software they send in the mail.

way cheaper than the one bought in the stores..