Why doesn't my higher education tax break apply now that I have upgraded to TurboTax Deluxe?

[magpiepair]

When I was filling in the details of tuition I paid in 2019, my Federal Refund jumped, but TurboTax informed me that I would only get this higher tax break if I filed with TurboTax Deluxe. At the time, I decided not to upgrade, and so my Federal Refund jumped back down. Later, I reconsidered and upgraded, but my Federal Refund is still at the same lower number. I've been through my tax break section again but it hasn't been applying the higher education tuition tax break that it initially quoted me when adveritsing TurboTax Deluxe.

[MarilynG1]

Basically, you may qualify for an Education Credit if you paid 'out of pocket' Education Expenses (not covered by scholarships/grants). 

The reason you were upgraded to Deluxe is that the Free Edition does not handle the forms required to claim an Education Credit.   That's no guarantee that you qualify for a credit, however.

The Refund Amount jumps up and down and may have initially showed a credit, until you entered all the details about amount of Tuition you paid and Scholarships/Grants you received.

Click this link to see if you actually qualify for Education Credits. 

[magpiepair]

Thank you very much, this is a great explanation!

Do you know if there's any way to de-upgrade from Deluxe? The only reason I upgraded was because I believed it would let me file the higher education credit and receive the increased Federal Refund, but since I no longer seem to be getting that higher refund, I have no reason to be using TurboTax Deluxe to file. 

[MarilynG1]

Yes, click on 'Clear and Start Over' under Tax Tools in the left-side menu.

Or, see if you qualify for the  Free File Program.