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Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?

 
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Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?



Major tax reform and major changes in the tax forms have also resulted in changes to the tax software. 

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY?  I WANT THE FREE EDITION

The information that you can enter in Free Edition is pretty limited now.  Thanks to the new tax laws, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's.  Everything goes on a little “postcard-size” Form 1040 that has six extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.  

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040  

If  you qualify to use it, there is another free version of the software:

Try Free File: 

You qualify if your income was $34,000 or less, or $66,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program


Note:  If you do not qualify to use Free File then you will have to upgrade to Deluxe or higher in the paid versions of the software.    Online Deluxe $39.99  State software $39.99 

 If you choose “refund processing” to have fees deducted from federal refund, add another $39.99  ($44.99 in CA)


Or did you add a feature that you want to remove?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899480-why-am-i-being-charged-for-turbotax-free-edition


**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

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7 Replies

Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?



Major tax reform and major changes in the tax forms have also resulted in changes to the tax software. 

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY?  I WANT THE FREE EDITION

The information that you can enter in Free Edition is pretty limited now.  Thanks to the new tax laws, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's.  Everything goes on a little “postcard-size” Form 1040 that has six extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.  

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040  

If  you qualify to use it, there is another free version of the software:

Try Free File: 

You qualify if your income was $34,000 or less, or $66,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program


Note:  If you do not qualify to use Free File then you will have to upgrade to Deluxe or higher in the paid versions of the software.    Online Deluxe $39.99  State software $39.99 

 If you choose “refund processing” to have fees deducted from federal refund, add another $39.99  ($44.99 in CA)


Or did you add a feature that you want to remove?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899480-why-am-i-being-charged-for-turbotax-free-edition


**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
jcleaman
New Member

Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?

Sounds like FedGov needs to reexamine their free-file system, as some of the least able to handle extra costs are people paying off student loans, and student loan interest is one of the things on those extra schedules.

Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?

%100

Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?

The short answer is "yes," but the long answer is "make sure Turbo Tax calculates it correctly." It did NOT do so in my case! Sure, it allowed filing of the taxes, but upon inspection, I did not get a reduction in my Adjusted Gross Income. I will have to file an amended return for the luxury of filing online instead of doing a few simple steps and filing by mail. The so-called support on April 14 was non-existent. When I finally was allowed to call, I was kept on hold for an hour and then hung up on.

Rachel_W
Expert Alumni

Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?

Yes, if you received a Form 1098-E for Student Loan Interest, you will need to upgrade to the TurboTax Deluxe Version.

Click here for a comparison of the TurboTax Online Products: Which TurboTax Product is Right for Me?

Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?

why is this the case? in past years i have never needed the deluxe before why has it changed?
hely
New Member

Do I have to use the deluxe if I have a student loan interest tax break?

You can deduct student loan interest for free on other tax service platforms. TurboTax is not free free free like they market.. I’ve used TurboTax for eight years and had to use someone because i was not paying for an upgrade that i could get for free elsewhere.
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