Turbo Tax Deluxe 2014 bait and switch

[WebSlave]

For those of you who do their own taxes using TurboTax Deluxe version, beware that Intuit dropped some of the capability of the program in order to force you to upgrade to higher priced versions. I don't know the exact details, but evidently forms C, D, E, and F have been impacted by this change.

So if you have used this in the past, don't just grab a package off the shelf thinking you will get the same thing you got when you did your 2014 taxes.

 

[Beyond GenetiX]

Thanks Rich, that is good to know.

 

[snowgyre]

Yes, thank you! TurboTax is always frustrating for me, since I can't seem to go two years without working in two different states and having to file three tax returns (two state and one federal). It's a big pain. Nice to know they're making it even more of a pain. If TurboTax costs any more it'll be cheaper just to go to H&R Block. e_e

 

[WebSlave]

BTW, I contacted H&R Block and they said their tax program will directly import TurboTax files, so that will likely be the route I take this year.

 

[Sheldontheboa]

Trying to make folks whole

All -- I, too, noticed the change, was not happy that I had to upgrade but they are trying to make folks whole. For what its worth, I rec'd the below email from Turbo Tax, unsolicited -

************************************



Important notice from the General Manager of TurboTax.
View online.
Intuit® TurboTax®
Sasan Goodarzi - General Manager, Intuit TurboTax
Dear David,
We messed up. We made a change this year to TurboTax desktop software and we didn't do enough to communicate this change to you as proactively and broadly as we could or should have. I am very sorry for the anger and frustration we may have caused you.
Intuit has a long history of doing right by our customers, and in this instance, we did not live up to the standards of excellence you have come to expect from us. We did not handle this change in a manner that respected our loyal customers and we owe you an explanation of what we are doing to make it right.


The change we made to our desktop products, both the download and CD versions, includes removing Schedules C, D, E and F from TurboTax Deluxe, which some long-time customers had relied on to report business income, investment sales and rental property income. As a result, you may now be required to upgrade the version of TurboTax you use even though your tax situation hasn't changed from last year.
Here's why we made the change. Over the years, we have worked hard to make it easy for you to choose the TurboTax product that is right for you and your unique tax situation. We want that choice to be clear and confidence inspiring. However, as new online and mobile technologies emerged, our products, and the tax scope and features they included, began to differ, leading to customer confusion. These differences also impeded our ability to introduce new innovations across our entire product line.
So this year, we made the product experience consistent across all TurboTax offerings. This change enables us to innovate faster and make improvements that benefit all customers at the same time, regardless of whether they use our online or desktop software. You can be sure that we've preserved what's unique to our desktop product: the ability to e-file up to five returns, switch to forms mode and install the software on multiple computers. Find the TurboTax product that's right for you.
But good intent must be matched with great execution, and that is where we let you down. We have heard from many of you that you were surprised when you discovered the change. No one likes this kind of a surprise, so we are taking immediate action to make things right and help you through this transition year.
We are giving $25 back if you purchased TurboTax Deluxe desktop software (CD or download) and filed your 2013 tax return and have to upgrade to TurboTax Premier or Home & Business to file your 2014 return. This will help you move to the right desktop product, while reducing the immediate and unexpected financial impact. After completing and filing your return this year, request your $25 here.
I deeply regret the anger and distress we have caused those of you affected by this change. Our customers are the heartbeat of every TurboTax employee. Our hope is that we can regain your trust and demonstrate that our commitment to you has never been stronger.
Sincerely,
Sasan Goodarzi and the TurboTax Team
General Manager, Intuit TurboTax
Intuit® – simply the business of life

Eligibility: Customers who have completed their 2013 taxes in TurboTax Deluxe (CD or download), and have completed their 2014 taxes in either TurboTax Premier or TurboTax Home & Business (CD or download), and apply here before 11:59 PM PST April 20, 2015, are eligible for $25 back. 2014 TurboTax Advantage users are ineligible for this offer.

Intuit respects the personal nature of email. Please note that if you have chosen not to receive marketing messages from Intuit, that choice applies only to promotional materials. You will continue to receive notifications that are legally required or could affect your service, software or account.

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32669-1

 

[WebSlave]

So let's see. The Deluxe version I used to use for my tax filing needs is listed on their site (at a discount now for damage control, I suspect) for $59.99. The product that I would now need to do the same thing that Deluxe used to be able to do is listed at $99.99. So I would have to pay $40.00 more and then get $25 back. Gee, what a bargain that is....... And I wouldn't be at all surprised if that $25 back they are claiming will be nothing more than a $25 credit to be applied to your 2015 version anyway.

Yeah, but even so you might get a $25 refund now, what about next year (and years thereafter) when you have to pay FULL PRICE for a product nearly twice as expensive than the one that used to be able to do the job?

Thanks, but NO thanks. TurboTax just got greedy and is now trying to backpedal for damage control.

I expect the full impact on Intuit won't be realized until next year when this significant point is realized.

Unless that Sasan Goodarzi dude gets rightfully taken out to the woodshed and Intuit puts the capability back into Deluxe that I expect to be there as has been in previous years, I am going with H&T Block or TaxAct. Both say they will directly import my last year's TurboTax files.

BTW, I have read that if you have already purchased TurboTax Deluxe and call Intuit on the phone and complain loud enough, they will send you the Home & Business version upgrade free.

 

[WebSlave]

Follow up....

So, I got the following email from TurboTax back on 02-05-2015 in reference to the above mention bait & switch they pulled:

Dear Rich,

We recently tried to explain the changes made to our TurboTax desktop software and apologized for the impact it had on you. Many responded and let us know our apology and rationale were not acceptable.

You want the TurboTax desktop product (CD or download) you've used in the past to do what it has always done—handle your tax situation. We heard you. It's time we make it right.

Beginning February 7, 2015, you can buy the same product you'd normally buy, and if you need to upgrade for your tax situation, we'll help you do that at no additional cost. This means you'll get all the forms you need, including Schedules C, D E, and F, without paying anything extra. Learn more.


If you're a returning TurboTax Deluxe CD or download customer and you've already filed using TurboTax Premier or TurboTax Home & Business, we're offering you $25 cash back. Simply visit TurboTax.com/25back to claim your money.

Next, we are committed to bringing back the product you know and love. By the time you are ready to prepare and file your taxes next year, the TurboTax desktop product you trusted in the past will include the forms you've counted on for years.

I understand our actions have caused anger and frustration, and our response has been far too slow. TurboTax is committed to regaining your trust and providing you with the level of excellence you have come to expect.

Thank you for your feedback and continued loyalty,

Sasan Goodarzi and the TurboTax Team
General Manager, Intuit TurboTax

So I took this to mean that if I buy the 2014 Deluxe version this year, that it will have the same forms (particularly Schedule C) that were in the product when I bought it to file my 2013 taxes. I figured it might take some time for the dust to settle and products on the shelves to be swapped out for the all inclusive version that I would expect to get, so I just waited till now.

So the first thing I did was to go to their own website to take a look at their product comparison page. Well, isn't this just ducky?

I sure as heck don't see the 2014 Deluxe version including the Schedule C as Mr. Goodarzi appears to have stated would be there. Neither are Schedules D & E. There is no mention of Schedule F, but is there much doubt about that not being in the deluxe version neither? And notice that you can't even just take the smaller jump to the next version to get that Schedule C you may need and USED to be in the Deluxe version. You've got to go all the way up to their Home & Business version which is more than double the price of the Deluxe version.

Oh, and if you go to TurboTax's website, you'll see "reviews" for each of the products on that comparison page. I'm sorry, but it seems darn unbelievable to me that ALL of the reviews are just bubbling with accolades and congratulations. Yet if you go to other sites that have had discussions about this sleight of hand they pulled, you will find a LOT of disgruntled customers complaining about what they pulled. Highly suspicious, in my opinion. Does anyone doubt at all that Inuit is busy filtering out any negative reviews they get as fast as they show up?

Oh well. Glad I checked on this before maybe grabbing a copy of TurboTax Deluxe this week assuming all was well. I'm going to be picking up a copy of H&R Block's tax software instead. I had hoped that TurboTax had seen the light that they admitted to back on 02-05, but apparently are STILL trying to snag customers unaware after foisting that lie they emailed out to people.

It will be interesting to see how well TurboTax does next year when the people who got flimflammed this year jump ship to something else.