Student loans and free version

[MatthewS492]

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? 

[Critter]

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

[Hal_Al]

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:

•      AGI of $36,000 or less
•      or active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a military-issued W-2 and a 2019 AGI of $69,000 or less
•      or eligible for the Earned Income Credit (EIC aka EITC).

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

[Critter]

Turbotax is just  ONE of the 10 companies participating in the IRS FREE FILE program ... so if your AGI is $69K or less there is a program you can use for free even if it is not TT.