It's tax season, or perhaps you're simply reviewing your TurboTax account, and you've found yourself enrolled in TurboTax Live. Maybe you initially thought the expert help would be beneficial, but now you've realized you'd prefer to handle your taxes yourself, or you just don't want to pay the extra fees. Don't fret! You're not alone, and while it might seem a bit tricky to navigate, opting out of TurboTax Live is absolutely possible.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, helping you regain control over your tax preparation and potentially save some money. Let's get started!
How to Opt Out of TurboTax Live: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process of opting out of TurboTax Live primarily depends on when you decide to make the change. Have you already connected with an expert? Have you paid? These factors will influence your options.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation – Have You Engaged with an Expert or Paid?
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's clarify where you stand. This is crucial because your options for opting out will depend on your current interaction with TurboTax Live.
Scenario A: You haven't connected with a Live expert yet, AND you haven't paid.
Good news! This is the easiest scenario. You'll likely have the most flexibility to switch to a different TurboTax product.
Scenario B: You have connected with a Live expert, but haven't paid for the service yet.
This is a trickier spot. Once you've engaged with an expert, removing TurboTax Live might require clearing your return and starting over, or it may involve a specific "downgrade" option.
Scenario C: You have already paid for TurboTax Live (or your TurboTax fees were deducted from your refund).
This is the most challenging scenario. TurboTax's policy generally states that once payment is received, the product is considered used and is non-refundable. However, there might be specific exceptions or ways to seek a refund depending on the circumstances.
Now that you've identified your scenario, let's proceed with the relevant steps.
Step 2: Navigating the TurboTax Interface to Downgrade or Switch Products
This section is primarily for Scenario A and potentially Scenario B if you haven't extensively used expert advice.
Sub-heading 2.1: Downgrading TurboTax Live to a Do-It-Yourself Product (If Applicable)
If you haven't deeply engaged with a Live expert, you might see an option to downgrade your product. This is the ideal path if it's available.
Sign In to Your TurboTax Account: Go to the TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com) and sign in using your credentials.
Open Your Return: Once signed in, make sure you open the tax return you're currently working on.
Locate the "File" Section: In most TurboTax Online versions, you'll find a "File" option in the left-hand menu. Click on it.
Proceed to Order Review: Continue through the screens until you reach a page titled something like "Just a few steps left" or "Review Your Order."
Look for "Downgrade" or "Remove TurboTax Live": On the order summary screen, carefully look for an option to "Downgrade" or "Remove TurboTax Live." The exact wording might vary slightly depending on the tax year and TurboTax version.
Important Note: If you see this option, select it and follow the on-screen prompts to choose the self-guided TurboTax product that best suits your needs (e.g., Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed, or even Free Edition if your situation qualifies).
Sub-heading 2.2: The "Switch Products" Option
Sometimes, instead of "Downgrade," you might see a "Switch Products" option in the left-hand menu. This can also lead you to the desired outcome.
Open Your Return: Ensure your tax return is open in TurboTax Online.
Find "Switch Products": On the left-hand menu, usually near the bottom, look for "Switch Products" or something similar. Click on it.
Select "Downgrade": From the options that appear under "Switch Products," choose "Downgrade."
Follow Prompts: The system will then guide you through selecting a different, non-Live product.
Step 3: Clearing Your Return and Starting Over (Primarily for Scenario B)
If the downgrade option isn't available, or you've had some initial interaction with a Live expert (Scenario B), clearing your return might be your best bet, provided you haven't paid yet.
Sign In and Open Your Return: Log into your TurboTax account and open the tax return.
Access "Tax Tools": In the left-hand menu, look for "Tax Tools." Click on it.
Choose "Clear and Start Over": Under "Tax Tools," you should find an option like "Clear and Start Over" or "Clear your return."
Confirm Your Action: TurboTax will ask for confirmation, as this action will erase all the data you've entered. Be absolutely sure you want to do this before confirming!
Select a New Product: After clearing your return, you'll effectively be starting from scratch. You can then choose the TurboTax Online product (e.g., Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed) that you wish to use without the Live component.
Step 4: Addressing Payments and Refunds (Scenario C)
If you've already paid for TurboTax Live, the situation becomes more complex, as TurboTax generally has a no-refund policy once payment is processed for online products. However, there are specific circumstances and actions you can take.
Sub-heading 4.1: Understanding TurboTax's Refund Policy
General Rule: For TurboTax Online, once payment is received, the product is considered used for preparing your taxes, and the payment is typically non-refundable. This applies even if you haven't printed or e-filed your return.
Exceptions for Refunds:
Accidental Wrong State: If you accidentally selected and paid for the wrong state.
Duplicate Charges: If you see duplicate charges on your account.
Known Product Defect: If there's a known defect with the product that couldn't be fixed.
TurboTax Desktop: Purchases of TurboTax Desktop software may have a 60-day money-back guarantee, but this is different from TurboTax Online.
App Store Purchases: If you purchased through an app store (Google Play, Apple App Store), you'll need to request a refund directly through that app store.
Sub-heading 4.2: How to Request a Refund (If You Believe You Qualify)
If you believe your situation falls under one of the refund exceptions, you can request a refund.
Via Your Intuit Account:
Sign in to your Intuit account (which is linked to your TurboTax account).
Look for "Products & billing."
Select your TurboTax product, then go to "Payments."
You might find an option (often three dots next to your order) to request a refund.
Submit an Online Refund Request Form: TurboTax/Intuit also provides an online refund request form. Search "Intuit refund request form" on their support site to locate it. You'll need to provide details of your purchase and the reason for your request.
Sub-heading 4.3: What if You Paid with Your Federal Refund?
If you chose the "Pay with My Refund" option, where TurboTax fees are deducted from your federal tax refund, it becomes even harder to opt out and receive a refund after your return is in pending or accepted status.
Before Pending/Accepted: If your return is still in "started" or "rejected" status, you might be able to change your payment method to a credit/debit card, thus removing the "Pay with My Refund" option and its associated fee. Look for "View Payment Options" on the "Just X more steps" screen.
After Pending/Accepted: Once your e-filed return is pending or accepted, it's generally too late to remove the "Pay with My Refund" option or get a refund for the TurboTax Live service itself.
Step 5: What if You're Stuck or the Options Aren't Appearing?
Sometimes, the options mentioned above might not be readily visible, or you might encounter technical glitches.
Sub-heading 5.1: Troubleshooting Tips
Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: This is a common fix for many online platform issues. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try logging in again.
Try a Different Browser: If one browser isn't working, try another (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
Reboot Your Device: A simple reboot can sometimes resolve underlying connectivity or software issues.
Sign Out and Sign Back In: Completely sign out of your TurboTax account and then sign back in.
Access Through a Different Entry Point: Instead of directly opening your return, try going through your "Tax Home" or "My Returns" section to see if it refreshes the options.
Sub-heading 5.2: Contacting TurboTax Support
If you've tried all the above and are still unable to opt out or downgrade, it's time to contact TurboTax customer support directly.
Be Prepared: Have your account information, the tax year in question, and a clear explanation of your situation ready.
Be Patient: Customer support can sometimes have long wait times, especially during peak tax season.
Explain Clearly: State that you wish to opt out of TurboTax Live and if you've already paid, explain your reason for seeking a refund. Be polite but firm.
Final Thoughts on Opting Out
Opting out of TurboTax Live is generally straightforward if you act before engaging with an expert or making a payment. If you've already committed to the service, your options become more limited, but it's always worth exploring the downgrade possibilities or contacting customer support to understand any potential exceptions to their refund policy. Remember to always double-check your chosen product before filing to ensure you're using the version you intended.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to remove TurboTax Live from my current tax return?
To remove TurboTax Live from your current return, if you haven't engaged with an expert or paid, look for "Downgrade" or "Remove TurboTax Live" on the order summary screen, or use the "Switch Products" option in the left menu to downgrade.
How to switch from TurboTax Live to a self-guided product?
You can switch from TurboTax Live to a self-guided product by finding the "Downgrade" or "Switch Products" option within your return, usually before you pay or extensively use an expert's services. This will allow you to select a different DIY version.
How to cancel TurboTax Live expert review?
If you haven't paid or filed, you might be able to clear your return and start over, effectively canceling the Live expert review. If you've already paid or the return is filed, canceling the expert review specifically is not usually an option for a refund.
How to get a refund for TurboTax Live?
Refunds for TurboTax Live Online are generally not issued once payment is received, unless there's a specific qualifying reason like duplicate charges, accidental wrong state selection, or a known product defect. You'd need to submit a refund request through your Intuit account or their online form.
How to avoid TurboTax Live in the first place?
To avoid TurboTax Live, be mindful of the product selection screens when you first start your return. TurboTax often promotes Live versions, so ensure you explicitly choose a "Do-It-Yourself" or standard product.
How to downgrade my TurboTax product after selecting Live?
To downgrade after selecting Live, open your return, navigate to the "File" section or "Tax Tools," and look for options like "Downgrade" or "Switch Products." This is usually possible if you haven't yet used expert advice or paid.
How to clear my TurboTax return to remove Live?
To clear your TurboTax return and effectively remove Live (if you haven't paid), go to "Tax Tools" in the left menu, then select "Clear and Start Over." This will erase all your entered data.
How to contact TurboTax customer support for Live issues?
You can contact TurboTax customer support through their official website's "Help & Support" section. Look for options to chat, call, or search their knowledge base for contact details.
How to know if I've already paid for TurboTax Live?
You can check your payment status by signing into your TurboTax account and navigating to your "Order History" or "Products & Billing" section. This will show you what you've been charged for.
How to change my payment method if I chose "Pay with My Refund" for TurboTax Live?
If your return is not yet pending or accepted, you might be able to change your payment method by revisiting the "File" section and looking for "View Payment Options" to switch to a credit/debit card. Once pending or accepted, it's typically too late.
