TurboTax refund bonus program?

**cercis** · 01-27-2006, 08:30 PM

Re: TurboTax refund bonus program?

That would be cool.

No refund for us this year. DH had the max number of dependents and didn't change it when I started working. I did the worksheet and then backed out one or two, but it wasn't enough. I've since changed my number and I hope to come out even next year.

As soon as we get dh's w-2 and my student loan interest information, I'll finish our taxes. We won't have enough to itemize, so I can forgo that hassle this year. And for the first time in 7 years - no Schedule C!!!! I'm soooo excited by that.

I think when all is said and done, we'll owe $1,000!!! I'm hoping that will go down dramatically when I get the rest of the information, but I think it will be right around that number.

**jeffrey** · 01-27-2006, 08:58 PM

Re: TurboTax refund bonus program?

be careful - there are hidden fees.

"A shipping and handling fee covers gift card processing, handling, shipping and related expenses as well as refund and payment processing. Fees are subject to change without notice. A separate electronic filing fee applies for TurboTax desktop products. Electronic filing is free with TurboTax Online products."

I believe that this fee is currently $14.95

**BillsGirl** · 01-28-2006, 12:54 AM

Re: TurboTax refund bonus program?

Originally posted by cercis

That would be cool.

No refund for us this year. DH had the max number of dependents and didn't change it when I started working. I did the worksheet and then backed out one or two, but it wasn't enough. I've since changed my number and I hope to come out even next year.

As soon as we get dh's w-2 and my student loan interest information, I'll finish our taxes. We won't have enough to itemize, so I can forgo that hassle this year. And for the first time in 7 years - no Schedule C!!!! I'm soooo excited by that.

I think when all is said and done, we'll owe $1,000!!! I'm hoping that will go down dramatically when I get the rest of the information, but I think it will be right around that number.

we did that too, and luckily I didn't work at all last year, so we did get a little something back especially because of our daughter

wwho knew having kids were so beneficial??????? hmm no wonder "others' are popping them out by the dozens!!!
I owed money from a couple years ago and so I am finally able to pay that back this year and we still have money left over after that, we were expecting nothing to $30 ish... but we did well!!! next tax return will be interesting since I work min wage job and husband will quit to go to school full time

**shelbylovesmelby** · 01-28-2006, 11:09 AM

Re: TurboTax refund bonus program?

jeffrey - thanks for posting that! I figured there was some lil catch & I didn't do it.
I just missed the mail man to send our taxes in today. But I'd also rather pay my .80 to mail both state & fed in than pay to have them e-filed. Plus it's early enough we'd have them both back in a month.

**FrugalTexan75** · 01-28-2006, 08:19 PM

Re: TurboTax refund bonus program?

I just filed my taxes using TurboTax free file today. I looked through the info for the "bonus" program, and I wasn't very impressed. To me, it was yet another program for businesses to get ahold of people's money. I felt it was just like the car dealerships and other businesses offering to do your taxes for "free" and then letting you use your refund as a down payment or partial payment for something or other. It feeds into consumerisim - and it tries to take money from the hands of some of the lower-income people who qualifiy for the larger refunds.

Not to mention the "processing and shipping and handling fee"! I didnt' notice that that could change - but I honestly didn't look much further when I saw the limited amount of stores you could buy cards for - and then saw the "fee". I *might* have been interested in a Walmart card - for buying gas - but wouldn't have wanted to spend my whole refund on a gas card - and it looked like if you chose to go that route, you HAD to spend the whole refund on gift cards.

**sweeps** · 01-29-2006, 06:50 AM

Re: TurboTax refund bonus program?

I agree with what everyone is saying, but if you have a large refund coming (which is not a good thing but that's a different discussion) and you planned on making a large purchase at one of the participating stores anyway (Lowe's or Expedia, for example), it can be a pretty good deal. $15 shipping and handling fee or not.

You do not have to spend the whole refund on gift cards, by the way.

TurboTax refund bonus program?