If you searched for “TurboTax settlement how to claim,” you may be looking for information about the $141 million settlement involving Intuit, the company behind TurboTax.
The settlement was announced in 2022 after allegations that TurboTax’s advertising and practices steered certain consumers who could have used the IRS Free File program toward paid TurboTax products. The multistate settlement provided payments to eligible consumers.
However, there is an important point to understand: eligible consumers did not have to submit a claim form for this settlement. Payments were sent automatically to consumers who met the settlement’s eligibility requirements. Approximately 4.4 million consumers nationwide received payments.
What Was the TurboTax Settlement?
In May 2022, Intuit agreed to a $141 million multistate settlement concerning allegations involving the marketing of TurboTax’s free tax-filing products.
The settlement involved consumers who, during tax years 2016, 2017, or 2018, met specific conditions related to eligibility for the IRS Free File program and their use of TurboTax.
The settlement administrator was responsible for identifying eligible consumers and distributing payments.
Who Was Eligible for the TurboTax Settlement?
The settlement did not apply to every TurboTax customer.
Generally, a covered consumer had to meet specific requirements, including that the individual:
- Used TurboTax during tax years 2016, 2017, or 2018
- Was eligible to use an Intuit IRS Free File product
- Started the tax return using a TurboTax Free Edition product
- Was subsequently informed that they were ineligible for the free product
- Paid to use a TurboTax paid product
- Had not previously used the Intuit IRS Free File product in an earlier tax year
The settlement definition contains additional details, so simply having used TurboTax during those years did not automatically make someone eligible.
Do You Need to File a Claim?
No, not for the $141 million TurboTax multistate settlement.
Eligible consumers were notified by the settlement administrator and received payments automatically.
The official settlement website states that consumers did not need to file a claim to receive their settlement payment.
This is important because websites or messages suggesting that everyone can currently sign up for the old TurboTax settlement may be misleading.
How Were TurboTax Settlement Payments Sent?
Payments were mailed by check to eligible consumers.
According to the settlement administrator, payments were mailed during May 2023.
The amount depended on how many tax years the consumer qualified for. Most consumers received approximately $29 to $30, although payment amounts could vary.
Can You Still Claim the TurboTax Settlement?
The original settlement payment process has already taken place.
The official settlement website states that requests for payment reissue are no longer being granted.
Therefore, someone searching for a new TurboTax settlement claim should not assume that they can simply complete a new online claim form for the 2022 settlement.
If you believe you were eligible but never received a payment, checking the official settlement information is more appropriate than submitting personal information to an unrelated website.
What If You Never Received Your TurboTax Settlement Check?
If you believe you qualified for the settlement but did not receive a payment, there may be limited options depending on your circumstances and the status of the settlement administration.
The official settlement website should be the starting point for checking available information.
Consumers should also be cautious about websites, emails, or messages requesting payment, passwords, banking information, or other sensitive information in exchange for a supposed TurboTax settlement.
The settlement administrator specifically warned consumers that they did not need to pay money or provide account information to receive a settlement payment.
Is the TurboTax Settlement Still Open?
The $141 million multistate settlement is not a typical class-action settlement where consumers could simply submit claims during an extended claim period.
Eligible consumers were identified through the settlement administration process and payments were issued automatically.
The official settlement website currently states that payment reissue requests are no longer being granted.
TurboTax Settlement vs. TurboTax Guarantee Claim
There is another type of TurboTax claim that should not be confused with the $141 million settlement.
TurboTax has a 100% Accurate Calculation Guarantee that can apply when a qualifying TurboTax calculation error results in certain penalties or interest.
This is a separate process from the 2022 multistate settlement.
TurboTax’s current support information says that a customer submitting a guarantee claim may need to provide an official government notice showing the penalties or interest and other relevant information.
Therefore, if your issue is about a TurboTax calculation error rather than the old settlement, you may have a different process to follow.
How to Submit a TurboTax Guarantee Claim
If you are dealing with a qualifying TurboTax calculation issue rather than the old settlement, TurboTax provides a claim process through its support system.
You may be asked to provide:
- Government assessment notice
- Tax return information
- TurboTax tax data
- Relevant tax documents
- Information about penalties or interest
- Updated contact information
TurboTax’s current support page explains the documentation and submission process for its guarantee.
The applicable deadline can also depend on the specific guarantee and circumstances, so consumers should check the current TurboTax terms and support instructions rather than relying on information from older settlement articles.
What If TurboTax Charged You for Tax Preparation?
The old multistate settlement specifically concerned certain consumers who paid for TurboTax services after starting with a TurboTax Free Edition product and meeting the settlement’s eligibility conditions.
Simply paying TurboTax for tax preparation does not necessarily mean you were part of the settlement.
For example, a person who voluntarily selected a paid TurboTax product without meeting the settlement’s eligibility requirements would not automatically qualify.
How to Check Whether You Were Part of the Settlement
If you are trying to determine whether you were one of the consumers covered by the settlement, consider reviewing:
- TurboTax emails from 2016–2018
- Tax returns filed during those years
- TurboTax payment records
- Bank or credit-card statements
- Settlement notices
- Old mailing addresses
- Emails from the settlement administrator
The settlement administrator sent notices to eligible consumers, so an old email address or mailing address could be relevant when trying to understand why a notice may not have reached you.
Be Careful About TurboTax Settlement Scams
Settlement-related searches can attract fraudulent websites and messages.
Be cautious if someone claims that:
- Everyone is entitled to a large TurboTax payment
- You must pay a fee before receiving your settlement
- You must provide your banking password
- You must provide your TurboTax password
- You need to purchase something to qualify
- A new TurboTax settlement claim is guaranteed
The official settlement administrator states that consumers did not have to pay money or provide account information to receive their settlement payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I claim the TurboTax settlement?
For the $141 million multistate TurboTax settlement, eligible consumers did not need to file a claim. Payments were sent automatically.
How much was the TurboTax settlement payment?
Most eligible consumers received approximately $29 to $30, although the amount depended on the number of qualifying tax years.
Is the TurboTax settlement still accepting claims?
The official settlement website states that payment reissue requests are no longer being granted.
Who qualified for the TurboTax settlement?
The settlement covered certain consumers who used TurboTax during tax years 2016–2018 and met specific conditions involving the IRS Free File program and TurboTax’s Free Edition and paid products.
Do all TurboTax customers get settlement money?
No. The settlement applied only to consumers meeting the specific settlement eligibility requirements.
What if I never received my TurboTax settlement check?
The settlement administrator’s current website should be checked for the latest information. The site states that requests for payment reissue are no longer being granted.
Is the TurboTax settlement the same as the TurboTax Accuracy Guarantee?
No. They are separate matters. The multistate settlement concerned specific consumers and payments related to the 2016–2018 period, while TurboTax’s Accuracy Guarantee concerns certain qualifying tax calculation problems.
Can I file a new TurboTax settlement claim?
For the old $141 million multistate settlement, eligible consumers were paid automatically rather than through a traditional claim process. The official settlement site currently states that payment reissue requests are no longer being granted.
Final Takeaway
If you searched “TurboTax settlement how to claim,” the most important fact is that the $141 million TurboTax multistate settlement did not require eligible consumers to submit a claim form. Payments were automatically distributed to consumers who met the settlement’s requirements.
If you have a current dispute involving TurboTax—such as a tax calculation error, penalties, interest, or another issue—that may involve a separate TurboTax guarantee or legal process.
Always verify settlement information through the official settlement administrator or applicable government source before providing personal or financial information.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Settlement procedures and legal rights can depend on the specific circumstances and applicable law. This article should not be treated as a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney, tax professional, or the relevant government or settlement administrator.
