Is it safe to start my return with the Free Edition, or might some data (e.g. lifetime learning credit) not carry over from the prior tax years, even if I later upgrade?

[Brick-Yard]

I've been using TurboTax for many years, and the Deluxe edition for at least the past several, but my situation may be simpler now.

[KathrynG3]

TurboTax will not start you at Deluxe if you previously used Deluxe. All are started for free. It would be best to login under the same username and email as was used in the past, however, for the Free Edition. Otherwise, go to IRS Free File delivered by TurboTax to check the eligibility requirements.

To compare products, particularly the Free Edition with Deluxe, follow these steps:

• Go to Personal Taxes TurboTax Online.
• Scroll to find the blue Learn  more links under each package and click the one under Free.
• Scroll to find four tabs, FEATURES, REVIEWS, TAX FORMS and REQUIREMENTS and select TAX FORMS.
• scroll down through the list to compare all four levels of TurboTax Online to see whether Deluxe will still be needed this year.

For more information, see: 

Can I downgrade to a lower-priced version of TurboTax Online?

[fanfare]

It's your job to keep track of historical info in prior returns.

This is especially true when you try a new tax software provider.

This is how your provider locks you in.

You still can't be 100 % sure your tax history will always be on file.

[Brick-Yard]

It's my responsibility to track historical information, but it's TurboTax's job. And you may have meant it in general, but in my case I'm not trying a new tax filing provider.

[Brick-Yard]

Neither of the replies thus far has seemed to grasp my question. I am using the same account I've used with TurboTax since 2005. My long-time belief (which has been evidenced over the years) is that TurboTax automatically carries over to the next tax year, appropriate data such as losses from the Schedule K-1 that were suspended from the former tax year.

I'm just wondering if, by starting this year's tax return choosing the Free Edition (instead of the recommended Deluxe, as I've used in the past), am I preventing such carry-over, even if I should later upgrade to Deluxe before filing?

[fanfare]

TurboTax plays games with you .

If you go to the Free edition, in your current account,

you can't get back later to the paid-for version.

For truly free federal filing visit the IRS website 

you will have a gap in your TurboTax history.

If that's ok with you, you don't really need to pay for TurboTax.