Last year I used the free version. I had student loan interest entered. This year turbo tax wants me to pay for the deluxe version because of my student loan interest. Why pay this year and not last year when I had all of the same deductions?
You must have used one of the IRS FREE FILE programs last year ... https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
TurboTax also has another free product called the Free File Edition (not to be confused with the regular Free Edition). It has free Federal preparation and free State preparation. There is no efiling fee. It is not available after October 15
The Free file Edition can handle a 1099-MISC.
The Free file Edition is more fully-featured than the regular Free Edition. The Free File Edition can prepare Schedule A, C, D, E, and F that the Free Edition cannot.
For Free File Edition a user needs to meet only ONE of these qualifications:
The FREE FILE Edition is located at:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom
How to switch and start over in Free file Edition
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-freedom-edition