TL;DR
TurboTax is offering early-season discounts including 10% off select federal products and markdowns on Live Assisted and Full Service options. New customers can file for free in the app through February 28, and a referral program can yield discounts for friends and gift cards for referrers.
What happened
WIRED reports that TurboTax has rolled out a set of early-season promotions for the 2026 filing period. The headline offer is a 10% discount on popular federal online products, including Full Service and Live Assisted plans; the latter is also listed with a 10% reduction and tiered starting prices (Basic, Deluxe, Premium). The piece highlights a special flat Expert Full Service fee of $150 for new customers that includes federal and state work, and it notes an app-only promotion allowing new users to file for free through February 28. A referral program gives first-time friends up to 20% off federal products and awards the referrer $25 per friend (capped at $500). The article also reiterates that price estimates can change based on a filer’s final forms and that some discounts apply only to federal products, not state returns.
Why it matters
- Early filing discounts can reduce the cost of professional tax preparation services.
- Multiple filing options (DIY, Live Assisted, Full Service) let users choose support levels that match complexity and budget.
- Referral rewards and temporary free offers may significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for new customers.
- Knowing which discounts exclude state returns helps avoid unexpected fees later in the process.
Key facts
- TurboTax is offering 10% off select federal online tax products as an early-season discount.
- Live Assisted plans are reduced by 10% with listed starting prices: Basic $79, Deluxe $129, Premium $209.
- Full Service generally starts at about $129 for federal W-2/1040 work, with state returns charged extra; a new-customer Expert Full Service flat fee is noted at $150 and includes federal and state.
- New customers who didn't file with TurboTax last year can file in the app for free through February 28; this free-app offer applies to Do It Yourself products, not TurboTax Experts.
- Referral links can give new customers about 20% off federal products; referrers receive $25 per qualifying friend, up to $500 in gift cards.
- TurboTax Free Edition supports simple Form 1040 returns (about 37% of taxpayers qualify) and includes federal and state filing at $0.
- Military members may be eligible for free federal and state filings as part of TurboTax’s military discounts.
- Additional tools cited include a Tax Refund Calculator, Tax Bracket Calculator, AI-powered Intuit Assist, and W-2 photo upload autofill.
- Discounts mentioned apply to federal products only; state products are excluded from some offers.
- Price estimates before expert preparation are provisional and can change based on the filer’s actual forms and schedules.
What to watch next
- Deadlines tied to specific offers: app free-filing offer ends February 28; referral discount end dates are listed inconsistently in the source (see key facts).
- Whether the 10% federal-only discount will be extended to include state products later in the season is not confirmed in the source.
- How long the flat $150 Expert Full Service price for new customers remains available is not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- TurboTax Live Assisted: An online filing option where users complete their return with on-demand help from a tax professional during the process.
- TurboTax Full Service (Expert Full Service): A service where a tax professional prepares and files the return on the filer’s behalf and reviews it before submission.
- Free Edition: TurboTax’s no-cost option for simple Form 1040 filers; eligibility is limited and typically excludes complex schedules.
- Referral link: A unique URL shared by users that can provide discounts to new customers and rewards to the referrer when used for purchases.
- Service code: A single-use code issued by customer support to address technical or billing issues during the filing process.
Reader FAQ
How do I get the 10% TurboTax discount?
The source says a 10% coupon is available for select federal online products; filing early is recommended to secure the price.
Does the 10% discount apply to state returns?
No — the article states the 10% discount applies only to federal products; state returns are excluded from that offer.
Can I file for free in the TurboTax app?
Yes, new customers who did not use TurboTax last year can file for free in the app through February 28, per the source; this applies to Do It Yourself products only.
What does the referral program provide?
Friends using a referral link can get about 20% off federal products; the referrer receives $25 per qualifying friend up to $500 in gift cards, according to the article.
MOLLY HIGGINS GEAR JAN 13, 2026 2:10 AM TurboTax Discount Codes: 10% Off January 2026 Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. Save on Live Assisted, 10% off Full Service,…
Sources
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