EDITED: 3/18/2021 10:54 PM Pacific
This old answer was timely for 2018 returns, but now for 2020 returns it contains some outdated information that no longer applies for 2020 products. For instance, if one qualifies to use the TurboTax IRS Free File Program, it is now possible to switch to it from within the same account without starting over. I've placed a line through some of the old information below. And I've provided a new answer for a current user following this one.
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Are you reporting any student loan interest or receiving any credits? Those are some common things that would require someone who normally uses Free Edition to have to use Deluxe, since they require a new Schedule. But I'll tell you about a second free product below. So read the whole answer first.
Because of new changes in the tax laws for 2018, there may be some filers who can no longer use regular Free Edition this year. But there a second free product that you might be able to use, if necessary. I'll provide more info about it below.
The regular Free Edition is more limited this year due to tax law changes. If you need any of the new Schedules 1-6, for instance, then you can't use Free Edition.
Here are some common things that cannot be handled by the regular Free Edition:
Itemized deductions
Business or 1099-MISC income
Sales of stocks/mutual funds/bonds
Rental property income
Foreign Earned Income
HSA
Credits, deductions and income reported on the new schedules 1–6, such as the Student Loan Interest Deduction
TurboTax has another free product called the TurboTax Free File Program. It is free for both Federal and State--IF you meet just one of the qualifications. It can handle all the usual forms without the limitations of regular Free Edition.
See this FAQ to see if you meet one of the qualifications:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program
The TurboTax Free File Program is located at the link below. It requires a new User ID from what you are currently using for Free Edition since it is a different website, and the IRS requires it to be disconnected from the TurboTax commercial products.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/
If you decide to switch, here's how. Note you will need a new User ID, different than Online TurboTax.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program
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EDITED: 3/18/2021 10:54 PM Pacific
This old answer was timely for 2018 returns, but now for 2020 returns it contains some outdated information that no longer applies for 2020 products. If one qualifies to use the TurboTax IRS Free File Program, it is now possible to switch to it from within the same account without starting over. I've placed a line through some of the old information above. I've also provided a new answer with current information for a user below.
