Why am I being charged to print a state return in ProSeries?

Depending on your purchased ProSeries package, there are several scenarios where you may be charged to print a state or city return for ProSeries. This article will help you understand when those charges are correct, and what to do if they aren't correct.

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Check to make sure you've installed the right product:

If you purchased ProSeries Basic but accidently used ProSeries Professional for your 1040 returns, you'll be charged PPR fees for anything completed in Professional.

If you have installed the wrong edition, see here for instructions on installing ProSeries Basic. Once installed, see here for information on how to move any tax returns from Professional to Basic.

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Check to see what states are attached to the return:

It's easy to attach the wrong state or city to a return. If you are not unlimited for that state or city, this would ask you to pay when printing.

To view the states attached in Professional:

1. Open the client federal return.
2. From the File menu, select Remove State/City.
3. The list shown are the states and cities attached to the return. Each state/city listed would be a separate PPR charge if you are not unlimited for that return type.
4. To remove any un-needed states/cities, select the state/city on the list and choose Remove.

To see the states attached in Basic:

1. Open the client federal return.
2. From the left side of the screen select State.
3. Any states/cities with checkmarks are attached to the return. Each state/city listed would be a separate PPR charge if you are not unlimited for that return type.
4. To remove any un-needed states/cities, uncheck the state/city on the list.

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Check to see if you've exceeded your package:

Many purchase bundles have a set limit of returns you can process as part of your bundle. If you exceed that limit any new returns would be pay-per-return for the federal and any states attached. This would include Basic 20, Basic 50, and Professional Choice bundles.

When you are on a bundle license it's important to have all state/city returns added to the return before you authorize the return. If you add a state/city after you've reached your bundle limit the newly added state/city would require PPR payment, even if the federal was already authorized.

To check your usage details in ProSeries Professional:

1. From the Information menu, select Return Usage.

To check your usage details in ProSeries Basic:

1. From the Information menu, select Return Usage and State License Status.

What would cause a return to use more then one credit?

• If you change the SSN or EIN on the return the program would see this as a second return and count this return twice.
• If you create a duplicate copy of the return or change the file name.
• For more information about duplicate charges, including requesting refunds, see Avoiding Duplicate Pay-Per-Return (PPR) charges

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Check to see if you have selected the right states when making your yearly purchase:

To check your state selections in ProSeries Professional if you have the Powertax Lite bundle:

1. From the Information menu, select Powertax Lite Unlimited State Licenses.
2. If the wrong states are showing contact Customer Service to review your choices. For more information see Selecting or verifying the state products licensed with your ProSeries Power Tax Lite Bundle.

To check your state selections if you purchased an unlimited state as an addition to any product package:

1. From the Information menu, select Product Licenses.
2. Review the list to see which items were purchased.
3. If your state purchase is not showing in the list you may need to re-license to show the purchase.
4. From the Tools menu select License Products.
5. If the state/city still doesn't show contact Customer Service to review your order.

To check your state selections in ProSeries Basic:

1. From the Information menu, select Return Usage and State License Status.
2. If the wrong states are showing contact Customer Service to review your choices. For more information see Switch, change or reset licensed states in ProSeries Basic.

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