Sandy Lovell, Holds a Well Worn Sign She Used Twenty Years Ago. She Located it in the Attic of Her Home for the May 3rd Pro-Abortion Rally in Portland.

Attorney General Aaron Frey has secured over $700 K from the owner of TurboTax, Intuit, for deceiving consumers into paying for tax services that should have been free.  As a result of a multistate agreement, Intuit will pay $141, million in restitution to millions of consumers across the nation who were unfairly charged.  In addition, Intuit must suspend TurboTax’s “free, free, free” ad campaign that lured customers with promises of free tax preparation services, only to deceive them into paying for services.   All fifty states and the District of Columbia have signed onto the agreement.  Maine will receive $701,357.86 for consumers who were deceived into paying to file their federal tax return according to a press release issued by the AG’s office this morning.

An investigation into Intuit began after ProPublica reported that the company was using deceptive digital tactics to steer low-income consumers toward its commerical products and away from federally supported free tax serivces.

“This was a classic bait and switch that harmed Maine consumers – promises of free services lured Mainers in, but the company knew that the services needed actually cost money,” said Frey.  “Citizens should be able to trus that advertisements mean exactly what they say especially for services like tax filing that can be confusing and stressful.  I’m pleased that consumers deceived by Intuit’s false advertising will receive financial compensation.”

Intuit will pay $141 million in restituuion, of which roughly $2.5 million will be used for administrative fixed costs.  Intjuit has agreed to reform its business practices.