Do you want to save some money on your taxes this year? Who doesn't? TurboTax offers a variety of discounts that can help you keep more of your hard-earned cash. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about applying TurboTax discounts, from finding them to ensuring they're properly applied. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Discovering Available TurboTax Discounts – Are You Eligible?
The first and most crucial step is to identify what discounts you might be eligible for. TurboTax rarely offers generic, publicly advertised promo codes that you simply plug in at checkout. Instead, their discounts are often tied to specific affiliations, situations, or partnerships. So, ask yourself:
Sub-heading: What Affiliations Do You Have?
Bank or Credit Union Partnerships: Many banks and credit unions partner with TurboTax to offer their members exclusive discounts, often ranging from 10% to 20% off. Check your bank's website or online banking portal for any TurboTax offers. BECU, Navy Federal Credit Union, and USAA are just a few examples of institutions known for these partnerships.
Employer Benefits: Some employers provide discounts on tax software as part of their employee benefits package. Consult your HR department or internal employee portal to see if this is an option for you.
Membership Organizations: Are you a member of organizations like AAA, AARP, or other associations? Check their member benefits sections as they often have partnerships with tax preparation services.
Student Status: If you're a student, TurboTax often has specific discounts for you, helping you claim education credits and deductions. You might need to verify your student status through platforms like ID.me.
Military Personnel: TurboTax is highly supportive of military members. Enlisted active-duty and reservists (E-1 through E-9 with a W-2 from DFAS) can often file both federal and state taxes for FREE using any TurboTax Online product (excluding TurboTax Live and desktop products). Officers, veterans, and retirees may also qualify for discounts.
First Responders, Teachers, Medical Providers, Government Employees: TurboTax, through platforms like ID.me, offers discounts for these essential professions. Check ID.me's website for verification and available offers.
Sub-heading: Consider Your Tax Situation
Simple Tax Returns: Approximately 37% of taxpayers qualify for the TurboTax Free Edition. If you have a simple Form 1040 return only (with no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, or student loan interest), you might be able to file for free.
New Customer Offers: If you haven't used TurboTax in the previous tax year, you might be eligible for new customer discounts, sometimes offered through referral programs.
Referral Programs: Know someone who uses TurboTax? They might have a referral link that can get you a discount (and them a reward!).
Step 2: Accessing and Applying the Discount – The Key is the Link!
Unlike traditional coupon codes, many TurboTax discounts are applied automatically when you access the TurboTax website through a specific partner link. This is a crucial distinction.
Sub-heading: Using Partner Links for Automatic Discounts
Find the Official Partner Link: Once you've identified an eligible discount (e.g., through your bank, credit union, or military portal), navigate to their official website and look for the TurboTax offer. There will typically be a direct link that says something like "File with TurboTax" or "Get Started with TurboTax Discount."
Click Through the Link: This is the most important step. Click on that specific link. This action embeds the discount directly into your session. Do not just go to the main TurboTax.com website directly and expect to enter a code later.
Verify the Discount: As you proceed with creating your account or selecting your TurboTax product, keep an eye out for confirmation that the discount is being applied. This often appears on the pricing page or at checkout. It might show the original price crossed out with the discounted price next to it, or a line item indicating the applied discount.
Sub-heading: Applying Direct Promo Codes (Less Common, But Possible)
While less frequent, sometimes TurboTax or a partner might provide a direct promo code.
Locate the Promo Code Field: If you have a specific promo code, you'll typically find a field for it during the checkout process on the TurboTax website. This field might be labeled "Promo Code," "Discount Code," or "Coupon Code."
Enter the Code Accurately: Carefully type or paste the code into the designated field.
Apply the Code: Click the "Apply" or "Redeem" button next to the field. The discount should then be reflected in your total. If it doesn't work, double-check for typos and ensure the code is still valid.
Sub-heading: Verification and Troubleshooting
Check the Final Price: Before you finalize your purchase and file your taxes, always double-check the total amount due. Ensure the discount has been successfully applied.
Clear Your Cookies: If you're experiencing issues and believe you should be getting a discount, try clearing your browser's cookies and cache. Then, go back and access TurboTax through the partner link again. Sometimes, lingering cookies can prevent the discount from being applied correctly.
Contact Support: If the discount isn't applying as expected, contact TurboTax customer support or the customer support of the organization offering the discount (e.g., your bank's support). Provide them with details of the discount you're trying to use.
Step 3: Important Considerations for Maximizing Your Savings
Applying a discount isn't just about clicking a link; it's also about strategic timing and understanding the limitations.
Sub-heading: Timing is Everything
Early Bird Discounts: TurboTax often offers its best discounts early in the tax season (typically January and February). Filing early can often lead to greater savings.
Expiration Dates: Pay close attention to the expiration dates of any discounts or promotional offers. Many expire around the April 15th tax deadline, while others, like student or military offers, might be valid longer.
Sub-heading: Understanding Discount Limitations
Product Specificity: Some discounts are only valid for specific TurboTax products (e.g., Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed) or service levels (e.g., DIY vs. Live Assisted vs. Full Service). Make sure your chosen product aligns with the discount.
Federal vs. State: Be aware that some discounts apply only to the federal tax filing fee and may not cover the state filing fee.
New Customers Only: As mentioned, certain discounts are only for new TurboTax customers who did not file with them in the previous tax year.
Stacking Discounts: In most cases, you cannot stack multiple discounts. For example, you likely can't combine a bank discount with a direct promo code. Choose the one that offers the greatest savings.
CD/Download vs. Online: Discounts typically apply to TurboTax Online products. Offers for CD/Download versions might be separate or non-existent.
Step 4: Completing Your Filing with Confidence
Once your discount is applied and you're confident with the pricing, proceed with your tax filing.
Complete Your Return: Methodically enter all your tax information, taking advantage of TurboTax's user-friendly interface and guidance.
Review Your Return: Before filing, thoroughly review your entire tax return for accuracy. This helps ensure you've maximized your deductions and credits.
File Electronically (E-file): E-filing is the fastest and most secure way to submit your return. Your discount will be locked in when you finalize your payment and e-file.
By following these steps, you can confidently apply TurboTax discounts and potentially save a significant amount on your tax preparation fees. Happy filing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to applying TurboTax discounts, along with quick answers:
How to find TurboTax discount codes?
Look for discounts through partnerships with your bank, credit union, employer, or membership organizations (like AAA, USAA). Direct promo codes are less common but can sometimes be found on coupon websites or through referral programs.
How to apply a TurboTax discount if I already started my return?
If you started your return directly on the TurboTax site, you might need to go back to the partner's website (e.g., your bank's TurboTax link), click through, and potentially transfer your existing data. Clearing cookies might also help.
How to get a TurboTax discount for military personnel?
Enlisted active-duty and reservists (E-1 through E-9 with a W-2 from DFAS) can usually file federal and state taxes for free through specific TurboTax Online products. Access the offer via official military partner sites like USAA or directly on the TurboTax military page and verify your rank.
How to get a TurboTax student discount?
Students can often find discounts through ID.me verification on the TurboTax website or specific student portals, which may offer up to 20% off or help with education credits.
How to know if my TurboTax discount was applied?
The discount is typically shown on the pricing summary page or at checkout, where you'll see the original price crossed out and the new, lower price displayed before you finalize your payment.
How to get TurboTax Free Edition?
If you have a simple tax return (Form 1040 only, with limited credits like EITC or CTC), you likely qualify for TurboTax Free Edition directly on their website.
How to get a discount on TurboTax Live products?
Discounts for TurboTax Live products (Assisted or Full Service) are often tied to specific partner offers (banks, credit unions) or referral programs, usually appearing as a percentage off the service fee.
How to get a TurboTax discount through my bank or credit union?
Log in to your bank or credit union's online portal or check their "member benefits" or "discounts" section. Look for a direct link to TurboTax, which will automatically apply the discount when you click through.
How to troubleshoot a TurboTax discount not applying?
Clear your browser's cookies and cache, then restart the process by clicking through the specific partner discount link. If issues persist, contact TurboTax customer support or the partner organization.
How to get a TurboTax referral discount?
Ask a friend who uses TurboTax to send you their unique referral link. If you're a new TurboTax customer, using their link should provide you with a discount, often 20% off.
