FTC Bans TurboTax , From Advertising ‘Free’ Services.<br />On Jan. 22, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that the tax filing software has been deceptive by advertising "free" services, CNN reports. .<br />On Jan. 22, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that the tax filing software has been deceptive by advertising "free" services, CNN reports. .<br />TurboTax's ads violated the FTC Act because it <br />led consumers to believe that everyone has <br />access to its free services, which is not the case. .<br />The FTC first sued TurboTax owner <br />Intuit in 2022, alleging that most people couldn't access "free" services.<br />The FTC first sued TurboTax owner <br />Intuit in 2022, alleging that most people couldn't access "free" services.<br />“such as those who get a 1099 form for work in the gig economy, or those who earn farm income.”.<br />“such as those who get a 1099 form for work in the gig economy, or those who earn farm income.”.<br />The bottom line of the FTC's Jan. 22 ruling is that free goods and services cannot be marketed by TurboTax unless they're free for everyone. .<br />The order also prohibits Intuit from misrepresenting any material facts about its products or services such as.., FTC release.<br />... the price, refund policies or <br />consumers’ ability to claim a tax <br />credit or deduction or to file their <br />taxes online accurately without <br />using TurboTax’s paid service, FTC release.<br />Intuit has appealed the <br />FTC's “deeply flawed decision.” .<br />Absolutely no one should be <br />surprised that FTC Commissioners — <br />employees of the FTC — ruled in favor <br />of the FTC as they have done in every <br />appeal for the last two decades. , Intuit spokesperson, via statement.<br />This decision is the result of a <br />biased and broken system where <br />the Commission serves as accuser, <br />judge, jury, and then appellate <br />judge all in the same case, Intuit spokesperson, via statement
