Intuit, TurboTax’s parent company, is still facing criticism over accusations that it tricked people into using its “free” tax filing service that wasn’t actually free. In a failure on fridayThe Federal Trade Commission’s Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ruled that Intuit “misled consumers” and “engaged in false advertising.”
The FTC’s administrative law judge determined that there is a “conscious danger of a recurring violation” by Intuit and issued a cease and desist order prohibiting the company from “engaging in deceptive practices in the future.” The ruling prevents Intuit from presenting a product as free unless it really is free for everyone to use and “clearly and conspicuously discloses any terms that limit the offer.”
In a response provided Prior to the FTC ruling, Intuit calls the agency’s investigation process “flawed and highly questionable,” noting that “Intuit already adheres to most of the advertising practices in the FTC’s erroneous decision.” The company adds that it has “been clear, fair and transparent” with customers and remains “committed to free tax preparation.”
