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When you upgrade from the Free edition to the Deluxe edition you do not pay for the TurboTax account until you have completed your tax return and are ready to either e-file the tax return or going to print and mail the tax return.  Payment of the TurboTax account fees is done in the File section of the program in Step 1.

TurboTax Online: Important Details about Filing Simple Form 1040 Returns If you have a simple Form 1040 return only (no forms or schedules except as needed to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or student loan interest), you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Live Assisted Basic at the listed price. Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible. Examples of situations included in a simple Form 1040 return (assuming no added tax complexity): W-2 income Interest, dividends or original issue discounts (1099-INT/1099-DIV/1099-OID) that don’t require filing a Schedule B IRS standard deduction Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Child Tax Credit (CTC) Student loan interest deduction Taxable qualified retirement plan distributions   Examples of situations not included in a simple Form 1040 return: Itemized deductions claimed on Schedule A, like charitable contributions, medical expenses, mortgage interest and state and local tax deductions Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G Business or 1099-NEC income (often reported by those who are self-employed, gig workers or freelancers) Stock sales (including crypto investments) Income from rental property or property sales Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules        How can I see my TurboTax  fees?  https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-account-billing/review-fees-turbotax-online/L1XnIzgzg_US_en_US?uid=m682vq7k   If your TurboTax fees are higher than expected, you can reduce them by removing add-ons     (BEFORE you e-file) :   Remove Premium Services Remove MAX Defend & Restore Remove a state Remove PLUS Help & Support Remove Pay With Your Refund     Or—-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free.  There are 8  free software versions available from the IRS Free File site   https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/  

Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home & Business) Click on Other Tax Situations Under Other Tax Forms On File an extension, click on the start button   You can only print and mail the Form 4868 extension request using the desktop editions.   If you are paying federal taxes with the extension you can use the IRS payment website to pay the taxes and automatically receive an extension to file - https://www.irs.gov/payments

TT Mac Desktop has badly missed the documentation section to record ALL educational expenses for which 529 & ESA contributions may be used by discontinuing the worksheet that enables the entry of room, board, computers, electronics etc. What are they thinking and how many hours of aggravation have they created for the user community.    Was able to manually record these expenses by switching to Forms view in and opening Dependent Wks; Student Info Wks and filling in lines 2-8. Initially the form would be wiped upon saving/closing but that issue seems to have been resolved now.

Since both you and your spouse are considered resident aliens under the Substantial Presence Test for 2025, you’ll be taxed the same way as U.S. citizens.   In answer to your first question, Married Filing Jointly is the best choice to make because it offers a much higher deduction. However, to file jointly, your spouse must have a tax ID. Since she is not eligible for an SSN, she must apply for an ITIN using Form W-7 at the same time you file your return. i will explain the process below.   Because your spouse doesn’t have an SSN and no income, there are a few steps to follow in TurboTax to file your return correctly and get her an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).    Now, here is how to report in TurboTax. Follow these steps in the software:   Personal Info: Select Married Filing Jointly.  Spouse's SSN: TurboTax will insist on a number to let you proceed. Most users enter a "placeholder" like 999-00-9999 just to finish the data entry. Now complete your return When you must delete this placeholder or white it out on the printed form before mailing. The SSN box for your spouse should be left blank or say "Applied for ITIN" (though blank is often cleaner). Finish & Print: Complete your entire return. When you get to the "File" section, choose File by Mail. Print the entire 1040 return and all schedules. Once you complete your return, this is what you need to mail to the IRS.   Form 1040: Your completed, printed, and signed tax return. Form W-7: Download this here from the IRS website. Fill it out for your spouse. Under "Reason for applying," check box e (Spouse of U.S. resident alien). Here is another link for the instructions Identification: You must prove your spouse’s identity and foreign status. A valid Passport is the only document that proves both on its own.  You must send the original passport or a certified copy from the issuing agency (your embassy). Do not send a regular photocopy. Once prepared, send to: Internal Revenue Service > ITIN Operation > P.O. Box 149342 > Austin, TX 78714-934            

If you used TurboTax Online, and are starting a 2025 return with the same account, your 2024 file will import automatically.     If you're using TurboTax Desktop, search your computer for a .tax2024 file when starting a 2025 return to transfer into your new return.   Here's more info on Transferring a Prior Year Return and Finding a Tax File on Your Computer.

Search box on my Desktop version does not do anything.  I was supposed to get to "YES."  Typed in Extend which doesn't allow me to proceed to actually apply. I want to file the extension ELECTRONICALLY,  but I suppose that is not possible.  Just makes using TT pointless!