FTC sues Intuit to stop misleading ‘free’ TurboTax filing ads

Photo: A Turbo Tax software filing package is seen on display at a Staples store in Manhasset, New York, April 15, 2010. Photo by Shannon Stapleton / Reuters. Article by Tali Arbel, AP. PBS – March 29, 2022.

The Federal Trade Commission is suing TurboTax maker Intuit, saying its ads for “free” tax filing misled consumers. Intuit says it will fight the suit. The consumer protection agency said Tuesday that millions of consumers cannot actually use the free tax-prep software option — two-thirds of tax filers in 2020. They are ineligible, the agency says, if they are gig workers or earn farm income, for example. “TurboTax is bombarding consumers with ads for ‘free’ tax filing services, and then hitting them with charges when it’s time to file,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a statement. […]

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