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NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. regulators have barred TurboTax maker Intuit Inc. from advertising its services as “free” unless they are free for all customers, or if eligibility is clearly disclosed. The order also bars Intuit from “misrepresenting any material facts about its products or services,” including refund policies and price points. There was no financial penalty in the FTC's order, but Intuit has previously faced hefty charges over the marketing of “free” services. In a 2022 settlement signed by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Intuit agreed to suspend TurboTax’s “free, free, free” ad campaign and pay $141 million in restitution to nearly 4.4 million taxpayers nationwide. Those impacted were low-income consumers eligible for free, federally-supported tax services — but paid TurboTax to file their federal returns due to “predatory and deceptive marketing,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said.

Persons: Michael Chappell, TurboTax’s, Letitia James Organizations: —, Intuit Inc, Federal Trade Commission, Intuit, Associated Press, ” New York Locations: — U.S, California

☆ TurboTax can't keep advertising itself as 'free' when many people have to pay, FTC rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The FTC targeted Intuit ads that claimed consumers can file taxes for free using TurboTax. The FTC ruled that Intuit can't advertise free services unless all customers qualify or it clearly says who does. Intuit has previously faced hefty charges over the marketing of "free" services. AdvertisementU.S. regulators have barred TurboTax maker Intuit Inc. from advertising its services as "free" unless they are free for all customers, or if eligibility is clearly disclosed. In a 2022 settlement signed by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Intuit agreed to suspend TurboTax's "free, free, free" ad campaign and pay $141 million in restitution to nearly 4.4 million taxpayers nationwide.

Persons: Michael Chappell, Letitia James Organizations: FTC, Intuit, Intuit Inc, Federal Trade Commission, Associated Press, New York Locations: U.S, California

☆ FTC bans TurboTax from advertising ‘free’ services, calls it deceptive advertising
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The Federal Trade Commission ruled in a final order and opinion Monday that TurboTax, the popular tax filing software, engaged in deceptive advertising and banned the company from advertising its services for free unless it is free for all customers. By running ads for “free” tax services that many customers were not qualified for, the tax filing software violated the FTC Act and deceived consumers, the agency said. The FTC had first sued Intuit, TurboTax’s owner, for its deceptive advertising in 2022. Intuit cannot advertise or market any goods or services as free unless it’s free for all customers, the FTC ordered. The FTC added if the service isn’t actually free for the majority of consumers, TurboTax could state that as well.

Persons: D, Michael Chappell, “, ”, —, Letitia James, ” CNN’s Jordan Valinsky Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Intuit Locations: New York

☆ TurboTax maker Intuit deceived users with offers of 'free' tax products, FTC judge rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON — A Federal Trade Commission judge on Friday issued an initial ruling against Intuit , the maker of the popular tax filing software TurboTax, saying the company deceived consumers with ads for so-called "free" tax products. Intuit violated Section 5 of the FTC Act by promoting "free" tax products and services for which many were ineligible, according to Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell. Intuit will appeal the ruling, said Rick Heineman, a spokesperson for the company. "It's no surprise that a case the FTC brought before itself, argued with FTC-employed lawyers, all before an FTC-employed judge got a ruling in favor of the FTC," Heineman said. "You can't make this stuff up — it's a flawed system and a groundless ruling."

Persons: WASHINGTON, D, Michael Chappell, Rick Heineman, Heineman Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Intuit, FTC

REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Intuit Inc FollowWASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) administrative law judge ruled on Friday that Intuit Inc., the maker of the popular TurboTax tax filing software, engaged in deceptive advertising and deceived consumers when it ran ads for “free” tax products and services, the FTC said in a statement. Intuit had revealed the ruling last week and the FTC statement confirmed the findings on Friday. The company must also disclose whether any good or service is not free to a majority of U.S. taxpayers, it said. Intuit on Friday called the ruling "groundless" and said it will appeal. "Intuit has always been clear, fair, and transparent with our customers and we remain committed to providing free tax preparation," it said in a statement.

Persons: Yuri Gripas, Michael Chappell, Doina, Jasper Ward, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, REUTERS, Intuit, WASHINGTON, Federal Trade Commission's, Intuit Inc, FTC, Internal Revenue Service, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S

☆ Factbox: What's next after US judge rules in favor of Microsoft-Activision deal?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

With the first fight in federal court in California wrapped up, the agency and companies have decisions to make about what comes next. * Or the agency may choose to challenge Corley's ruling in a federal appeals court. An administrative law judge at the FTC is scheduled to hear arguments about the deal in August. The next stop after that would be a federal appeals court. * If the FTC wins, the companies can appeal to the commission to overturn the decision and, if needed, take the case to a federal appeals court.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley's, Michael Chappell, Lina Khan, Chappell, Khan, Diane Bartz, Matthew Lewis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Meta, FTC, Thomson Locations: California, Illumina's, Washington

☆ Factbox: Potential outcomes of FTC legal bids to block Microsoft-Activision deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The first fight will be in federal court in California, beginning on June 22 and running until June 29. Here are four potential outcomes of the California hearing:* Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley may grant the preliminary injunction and the companies terminate. The FTC lost in federal court and dropped the internal FTC challenge. That can be appealed to a federal appeals court. The next stop after that would be a federal appeals court.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Michael Chappell, Lina Khan, Chappell, Khan, Diane Bartz, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, DirecTV, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Meta, Thomson Locations: California, Illumina's, Washington

WASHINGTON, April 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday ordered Illumina (ILMN.O) to divest cancer diagnostic test maker Grail, finding that its ownership would stifle competition in the U.S. market for cancer tests. Illumina said it would appeal the decision, and will seek expedited consideration from an appeals court. The company said the FTC order to unwind the deal would be automatically put on hold. Meanwhile, Illumina completed the takeover of Grail in August 2021, despite the lack of regulatory approval from Europe or the United States. He has called for Illumina, now valued at $36 billion, to unwind its deal for Grail, which he called a risky acquisition that cost shareholders $50 billion.

☆ No 'substantive' settlement talks between U.S. FTC, Microsoft over Activision -lawyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FTC attorney James Weingarten, speaking in a brief telephonic pretrial hearing, said there were no "substantive" settlement discussions between the two sides under way. The case reflects the muscular approach to antitrust enforcement being taken by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. Michael Chappell, the FTC administrative law judge, will rule on the deal after hearings set for August 2023. Either side can then appeal to the same FTC commissioners who voted to bring the challenge, and then to a U.S. appeals court. The deal faces scrutiny in the European Union which is to decide by March 23 whether to clear or block the deal.

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