"Why are you sticking it to teachers? This particular deduction ONLY affects teachers, so you must have made the conscious decision to now charge teachers access this above-the-line deduction."
TurboTax did not make a decision specifically about teachers. They made a broad decision to not include Schedules 1, 2, and 3 in Free Edition. The IRS put the deduction for educator expenses on Schedule 1, so it is not included in Free Edition.
"It's just a broad copy-paste answer as to why Turbo Tax charges fees."
TurboTax charges fees because it's a commercial company that is in business to make money by selling software and services. It is not a charity. They don't make any money by giving away their products, and there is no reason that they should give it away. Offering a very restricted version of the product for free is a marketing strategy. They do it in the hope that you will buy something. It's like any other business that gives free samples as a way of introducing their product to potential new customers. When a food store gives you a free sample, they don't give you a full portion or a full meal. They give you a taste. If you want more, you have to buy something.
