Why am I being charged? Questions about program fees

If you noticed a charge on your account and weren't expecting it, don't worry. In most cases, fees are added for one of three reasons: your return no longer qualifies for Simply Free, your return was upgraded to a higher product level, or you selected File & Go to pay your fees from your refund.

This guide explains each situation so you can understand where the charge came from and how to review your fees.

Common Reasons You May See a Charge

You may be charged if:
  1. You no longer qualify for the Simply Free program.
  2. Your return was automatically upgraded to a higher TaxSlayer product.
  3. You selected File & Go and chose to pay your filing fees from your refund.
Let's look at each of these in more detail.

Why Was My Return Upgraded?

Some tax situations, tools, and support options aren't included in every TaxSlayer product level. When you add a feature that requires a higher package, your return may be automatically upgraded.

Common Reasons for an Upgrade

Your return may be upgraded if you:
  • Add Priority Customer Support
  • Use the Live Chat feature
  • Select Ask a Tax Pro services
  • Report more complex tax situations
  • No longer qualify for Simply Free

How to See Why Your Return Was Upgraded

To view the exact reason for your upgrade:
  1. Go to Review.
  2. Select Print Results.
  3. Choose Why Was I Upgraded?
TaxSlayer will show the feature, form, or tax situation that triggered the upgrade, along with any associated fees.

View Upgrade Details in the E-File Section

You can also review upgrade information while e-filing:
  1. Go to the E-File section.
  2. Select Show Details under Products & Services.
  3. Choose Why Was I Upgraded?

Why Am I No Longer Eligible for Simply Free?

The Simply Free program is designed for basic tax returns. If your return includes additional forms, income types, deductions, or credits, you may be moved to a paid TaxSlayer product automatically.

Common Reasons You May Not Qualify

You may no longer be eligible for Simply Free if your return includes:
  • A dependent
  • A filing status other than:
    • Single
    • Married Filing Jointly
    • Qualifying Surviving Spouse
  • Self-employment income reported on Schedule C
  • Rental or royalty income reported on Schedule E
  • Investment income, capital gains, retirement income, or similar income types
  • Itemized deductions
  • Certain tax credits
Once a tax item that requires a paid product is added to your return, your account may be upgraded from Simply Free to Classic or another qualifying product level.

How Do I Review My Fees?

You can see a breakdown of your fees at any time.
  1. Sign in to your account.
  2. Go to Review.
  3. Select Print Results.

The fee summary will show any product charges, optional service fees, and other costs associated with your return.

If you have not e-filed yet, you may still be able to remove certain optional features and lower your total cost by changing your package or service selections.

What Is File & Go?

File & Go allows you to pay your TaxSlayer fees from your federal or state refund instead of paying upfront with a credit or debit card.

Important Details About File & Go

  • A processing fee applies when using File & Go.
  • The fee is deducted directly from your refund.
  • Participation is completely optional.

Important Reminder

If your refund is delayed or cannot be processed as expected, any unpaid program fees may be automatically withdrawn from the bank account you authorized during the filing process.

If you'd rather avoid the File & Go processing fee, you can pay your filing fees upfront using a credit or debit card.

Need More Help?

If you still have questions about charges on your account, you can:
  • Review your package details and available options in your account.
  • Learn how to change your TaxSlayer package before e-filing, if eligible.
  • Contact TaxSlayer Customer Support for account-specific assistance.

File & Go Support

If your question relates specifically to refund processing through File & Go, contact:

Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (SBTPG)

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While TaxSlayer strives to make the information and links contained in our KB articles as timely and accurate as possible, we make no promise or guarantee about the timeliness, accuracy, or completeness of the contents on these pages. The information contained in the Knowledgebase (KB) is for general information only and is not intended to be tax, financial, or legal advice. The user is encouraged to review additional state and federal resources and publications as needed.

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