Taxes. Just the word can make many of us groan. But with tax software like TurboTax, the process can be significantly streamlined. However, the cost can sometimes be a barrier. If you're looking to save some money this tax season, you've come to the right place! This lengthy guide will walk you through various strategies to snag a TurboTax discount, ensuring you keep more of your hard-earned money.
How to Get a TurboTax Discount: Your Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide!
Ready to save some cash on your tax filing this year? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Assess Your Tax Situation First! (And Why This Matters for Discounts)
Before you even think about discounts, the absolute first thing you need to do is understand your own tax complexity. This is crucial because TurboTax offers various editions, and the "best" discount is often on the version that actually meets your needs. Paying for features you don't use, even at a discount, isn't a true saving!
Simple Tax Returns (Form 1040 only): Do you have only W-2 income, take the standard deduction, and maybe claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit? You might qualify for the TurboTax Free Edition. Yes, genuinely free!
Moderate Complexity (e.g., Itemized Deductions, Mortgage Interest): If you itemize deductions, have some investment income (but not complex transactions), or own a home, you'll likely need TurboTax Deluxe.
Investments & Rental Properties: For stock sales (including crypto), rental property income, or more complex investments, TurboTax Premier is usually the way to go.
Self-Employed & Small Business Owners: If you're a freelancer, contractor, or run a small business, TurboTax Self-Employed (or Business for certain entity types) will be necessary.
Engage with this question right now: Think about your last year's taxes. Were they straightforward, or did you have a few twists and turns? Knowing this will significantly narrow down your search for the right (and therefore most cost-effective) TurboTax product!
Step 2: Leverage Partner Programs and Affiliations
Many organizations have special partnerships with TurboTax, offering their members exclusive discounts. This is often the most significant and reliable way to get a price reduction.
Sub-heading 2.1: Credit Unions and Banks
How it works: Many financial institutions, including credit unions and banks, partner with TurboTax to offer discounts to their members/customers. These discounts can be quite substantial, often 20% off or more.
Actionable Steps:
Check your bank or credit union's website. Look for a "Member Discounts," "Special Offers," or "Tax Resources" section.
Look for a direct link. You'll typically find a specific link that takes you to a co-branded TurboTax page where the discount is automatically applied. Do NOT go directly to TurboTax.com first, as the discount usually won't apply if you navigate there independently.
Log in if required. Some financial institutions might require you to log into your online banking portal to access the exclusive link.
Sub-heading 2.2: AAA Membership
How it works: If you're a AAA member, you're in luck! AAA often provides discounts on TurboTax products.
Actionable Steps:
Visit
AAA.com/turbotax No code needed! The discount is usually applied automatically when you access TurboTax through this specific AAA link. You might need your AAA membership number to verify eligibility.
Sub-heading 2.3: Employer or Employee Benefit Programs
How it works: Some employers, especially larger corporations, offer discounts on tax software as part of their employee benefits package.
Actionable Steps:
Check your company's intranet or HR portal. Look for information on employee discounts or benefits.
Inquire with your HR department. If you can't find anything online, a quick email or call to HR might reveal a hidden gem!
Sub-heading 2.4: Military Discounts
How it works: TurboTax is a proud supporter of the U.S. military. Enlisted active duty and reserve military members (E-1 through E-9) can often file their federal and state tax returns for free through any TurboTax Online product (excluding CD/desktop or TurboTax Live).
Actionable Steps:
Start your TurboTax Online return.
Enter your military W-2. TurboTax typically verifies your rank through your W-2 from DFAS.
Confirm active military duty. In the "My Info" section, make sure you indicate your active military status. The discount should be applied automatically when you're ready to file.
Sub-heading 2.5: Student Discounts (via ID.me)
How it works: Students can sometimes qualify for discounts through verification platforms like ID.me.
Actionable Steps:
Check ID.me Shop. Search for TurboTax on their platform to see if a student discount is currently available.
Verify your student status. You'll typically need to prove your enrollment.
Step 3: Explore TurboTax's Own Free and Discounted Options
TurboTax itself offers pathways to reduce or eliminate costs, particularly for simpler tax situations or during promotional periods.
Sub-heading 3.1: TurboTax Free Edition
How it works: As mentioned in Step 1, if you have a truly simple tax return (Form 1040 only, standard deduction, W-2 income, certain credits like EITC or Child Tax Credit), you might qualify for the TurboTax Free Edition.
Actionable Steps:
Start your return with the Free Edition. Be honest about your tax situation.
Be aware of upgrades. If your tax situation becomes more complex as you enter information (e.g., you realize you need to itemize, have self-employment income, or stock sales), TurboTax will prompt you to upgrade to a paid version. This is where many users feel "tricked," so be clear about your needs upfront.
Sub-heading 3.2: Early Bird Discounts (During Tax Season)
How it works: TurboTax often offers lower prices earlier in the tax season (typically December through January/early February). As the April tax deadline approaches, prices tend to increase.
Actionable Steps:
File early if possible! If you have all your documents, don't wait until the last minute. This can be one of the easiest ways to save.
Keep an eye on their pricing page. Check the TurboTax website regularly during the early part of tax season.
Sub-heading 3.3: Limited-Time Mobile App Offers
How it works: Occasionally, TurboTax offers special promotions for users who start and complete their taxes entirely within the TurboTax mobile app. These are often for simpler returns and may have specific deadlines.
Actionable Steps:
Check the TurboTax mobile app directly. Look for banners or notifications about exclusive app-only filing deals.
Read the fine print carefully! These offers often have conditions, such as "only if you didn't file with TurboTax last year" or specific filing deadlines.
Step 4: Consider Retailers and Online Marketplaces
Don't limit your search to just the TurboTax website. Third-party retailers often offer competitive pricing, especially for the CD/downloadable versions.
How it works: Major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, and Sam's Club often sell TurboTax software at discounted rates, sometimes even bundling it with gift cards or other incentives.
Actionable Steps:
Shop around! Before purchasing directly from TurboTax, compare prices at these major retailers.
Look for sales events. Keep an eye out for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holiday sales, as tax software might be included in these promotions.
Consider "Federal + State" bundles. These bundles from retailers can often be cheaper than buying federal and state versions separately directly from TurboTax.
Step 5: Search for Promo Codes and Cash Back Websites
While direct promo codes for TurboTax can be less common than partner discounts, it's always worth checking. Cash-back sites can also offer a small percentage back on your purchase.
How it works: Some websites aggregate coupon codes, and cash-back platforms offer a rebate for purchases made through their links.
Actionable Steps:
Do a quick search. Before finalizing your purchase, search online for "TurboTax promo codes [current tax year]" or "TurboTax coupon codes." Be wary of outdated or fake codes.
Check cash-back sites. Websites like Swagbucks, Rakuten (formerly Ebates), or TopCashback sometimes offer a percentage back on TurboTax purchases. You usually need to activate the offer through their platform before clicking through to TurboTax.
Step 6: Avoid Unnecessary Upgrades (The "Hidden" Discount)
This isn't a discount in the traditional sense, but it's crucial for saving money. TurboTax is designed to suggest upgrades as you input more complex information. Be mindful of whether these upgrades are truly necessary for your situation.
How it works: As you enter data, TurboTax might recommend upgrading to a higher-priced version to unlock certain forms or guidance.
Actionable Steps:
Understand your needs (again!). Refer back to Step 1. If you're confident your situation is simple, stick with the Free Edition.
Don't jump to the highest tier unless required. If you only need Deluxe, don't automatically upgrade to Premier or Self-Employed unless your tax situation genuinely demands it.
Use the "What's Included" comparison. TurboTax's website has a clear comparison of features for each product. Consult this before upgrading.
Step 7: Consider Alternatives if Discounts Aren't Enough
If, after all your efforts, you can't find a TurboTax discount that makes it affordable for your budget, or if you realize your situation is truly simple, there are other options.
IRS Free File: For taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) below a certain threshold (which changes annually, currently $84,000 for Tax Year 2023), the IRS offers a program called Free File. This program partners with various tax software providers (though not directly TurboTax since 2021) to offer free online tax preparation. This is a legitimate and often overlooked free option.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE): These programs, often run by IRS-certified volunteers, offer free tax preparation for qualifying individuals, including those with lower incomes, disabilities, or who are elderly.
Other Free or Low-Cost Software: Competitors like FreeTaxUSA often offer free federal filing and low-cost state filing, regardless of income. H&R Block also has free options.
10 Related FAQ Questions: How to Get Your TurboTax Discount
Here are some common questions about getting TurboTax discounts, with quick answers:
How to get TurboTax discount for military personnel?
Enlisted active duty and reserve military members (E-1 through E-9) can typically file federal and state taxes for free using most TurboTax Online products by entering their military W-2 from DFAS and indicating active duty status in "My Info."
How to get TurboTax discount through AAA?
Visit the dedicated AAA member discount portal at
How to get TurboTax discount from credit unions or banks?
Check your specific bank or credit union's website for a "member discounts" or "tax resources" section, which often contains a direct link to a co-branded TurboTax page with an automatic discount.
How to get TurboTax discount if I'm a student?
Look for student discounts on verification platforms like ID.me Shop, where TurboTax may offer special savings for verified students.
How to get TurboTax discount if I have a simple tax return?
You may qualify for the TurboTax Free Edition if you only have W-2 income, take the standard deduction, and claim limited credits (like EITC or Child Tax Credit).
How to get TurboTax discount by filing early?
File your taxes early in the tax season (typically December to early February) as TurboTax often offers lower prices during this "early bird" period before increasing them closer to the tax deadline.
How to get TurboTax discount on downloadable software?
Compare prices at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, and Sam's Club, as they often offer discounted rates and sometimes bundles on the CD/downloadable versions.
How to get TurboTax discount with a promo code?
While less common for direct discounts, search online for "TurboTax promo codes [current tax year]" and check coupon aggregate websites. Be cautious of expired or fake codes.
How to get TurboTax discount by using a cash-back website?
Sign up for and activate offers on cash-back sites like Swagbucks, Rakuten, or TopCashback, then click through their links to TurboTax to earn a percentage back on your purchase.
How to get TurboTax discount if I don't qualify for other offers?
Consider alternatives like the IRS Free File program (for eligible lower-income taxpayers), VITA/TCE programs for free assistance, or other tax software providers like FreeTaxUSA that offer free federal filing.