I am active duty military and I cannot get a free return, is there a code I need?

[joe3292003]

I am enlisted.

[DoninGA]

Yes, the TurboTax online editions are free for active military enlisted personnel.  The Live online editions are NOT free.

In the My Info section of the program you need to indicate that you are active military.  You must enter a Military W-2 in the Wages & Income section and after completing the W-2 on the screen labeled Let's check for uncommon situations you will need to check the box Active military duty

[joe3292003]

I've done that, I even included my combat zone tax exclusion and I am still being charged.

[DoninGA]

You will have to contact TurboTax support for assistance with this problem. Use the key words Billing Issue

See this TurboTax support FAQ for contacting support - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/account-management/turbotax-phone-number...

Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

[SteamTrain]

And if you are an enlisted member, you must mark a checkbox, on one of the pages after the main W-2 form entries, that indicates that the W-2 was for military service.  Only then will the tax return become eligible for free filing.

If you missed that checkbox, go back and edit that DFAS W-2.

[danandzi]

I've done all of these things and the charges are still indicated. Their promotion is misleading and frankly make them look very untrustworthy. Never coming back and not recommending Turbotax to any of my Soldiers.

[DoninGA]

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@danandzi wrote:

I've done all of these things and the charges are still indicated. Their promotion is misleading and frankly make them look very untrustworthy. Never coming back and not recommending Turbotax to any of my Soldiers.

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Sorry you feel that way.  This option for active duty military personnel as been available for many, many years from TurboTax.  It has been used by thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen satisfactorily.

See this TurboTax website for military - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/military-edition.jsp

In the My Info section of the program you need to indicate that you are active military.  You must enter a Military W-2 in the Wages & Income section and after completing the W-2 on the screen labeled Let's check for uncommon situations you will need to check the box Active military duty

When you complete the tax return using the above information you will not be charged for either the federal or state tax returns.

If for some reason you did not get the discount then you should contact TurboTax support for assistance.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for contacting support - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/account-management/turbotax-phone-number...

Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

[Ally16]

He just said he tried all those options and they didn't work. 

I have also tried all those options., including reaching out to support, I was on the phone with them for an hour and the representative had no idea how to fix it. Feels like misleading and false advertisement, I agree with OP. 

[SharonD007]

Try closing TurboTax, clearing your cache, and deleting your cookies. Review the TurboTax Help article How to clear your cache and How do I delete cookies? for specific instructions for your browser. 

Also, reboot your computer.

Next, review your entries in the personal info section to ensure that you get the military discount,

1. Open TurboTax
2. Select the dropdown by My info and select Edit
3. Select Edit under Personal profile and check your entries
4. Make sure that you have shown your military status as of December 31, 2024?
5. Make sure that you entered your highest military pay grade in 2024
6. Enter an answer for combat zone or hazardous duty area you served in during 2024
7. Select a state and select Assignment detail

On the next screen you will see the message: Yes! You qualify for our enlisted military discount.

Refer to the TurboTax Blog TurboTax Offers Free Tax Filing for Military Active Duty and Reserve.

[paigemilitary]

Step by Step on how to enter Military for free.

1. If you have signed into TurboTax "Live" or created a new TurboTax "Live" account to prepare your Military taxes for 100% free. You will not be get the 100% free discount. You must open a new TurboTax "Online" account. TurboTax "Live" accounts do not support Military taxes for 100% free. Note: "TurboTax accounts cannot be combined or merged," and you will be starting over as to information carried forward.

2.Go to: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/military-edition.jsp?srqs=null&cid=ppc_gg_b_stan_a...

Select get started.

3. Select  the product labeled "Do your own taxes $0  to $129 and select Start for Free."

(The Key here is do not select any TurboTax Product that has the word "Live" in its title.)

In your the my info section labeled you will get to a page titled "Let's check for some other situations." Within this section, it is key that you select the Statement  "I was a member or former member of the U.S Armed Forces (active, reserve, or National Guard), and then complete the Active Duty questions, and continue.

4. In the Wages & Income section, when you enter your Military form W2, and continue to the section labeled  "Let's check for uncommon situations," again, it is key that you select "Active Military Duty."

If you get to a point where you are asked to upgrade, for example to Deluxe because you have moving expenses, go ahead and Upgrade, your tax return will remain 100% free at Check Out. 

It took several hours in chats, live help, and hunting and pecking for me to successfully file my TurboTax Online Military (upgraded to Deluxe) 100% free. I hope it helps. 03/27/2025

[JamesG1]

Military discount is valid for active duty and reservists of an enlisted rank (E-1 through E-9) with a military W2.

• Excludes National Guard members
• Excludes TurboTax Live products

In TurboTax Online, review the questions in My Info in the upper left hand corner of the screen.

Make sure that the questions have been correctly answered at the screen Let's check for some other situations.  Make sure that you report a military W-2.

@joe3292003 

[Justin8789]

FYI, it looks like the free version is only for simple returns.

I followed the advice on this thread and went through the filing process with the free version until the end but because I submitted 1099-INT and DIV forms it made me upgrade to TurboTax Premium, which does not include a military discount.

In summary, TurboTax is free* for active duty.

*only the basic version

[mesquitebean]

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@ Justin8789 wrote:

FYI, it looks like the free version is only for simple returns.

I followed the advice on this thread and went through the filing process with the free version until the end but because I submitted 1099-INT and DIV forms it made me upgrade to TurboTax Premium, which does not include a military discount.

In summary, TurboTax is free* for active duty.

*only the basic version

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That's not correct.  When qualified, the military discount (free) is for all online editions, including Premium. The offer is not available to officers.  This is from the product page (emphasis added) :

"In proud support of your service and sacrifice, enlisted active military and reservists can file both their federal and state taxes for FREE using any of our TurboTax Online products, which include Free, Deluxe, and Premium. Not valid for TurboTax Live or TurboTax Desktop products."

The only Online products that do not qualify are the LIVE products and add ons like MAX.   You should not have been charged for Online Premium if you meet the qualifications and indicated all of the following:

1) In the My Info section, indicated you were active duty military and answered the questions about pa grade (must be E1-E9) and answered the other military questions as applicable.

2)  Enter a W-2 from DFAS.

3)  On a screen after the W-2 entry there will be a heading "Do you have any of these uncommon situations?" (or words to that effect)  And it will have a list of  10-11 check boxes.   You have to indicate a second time that you are Active Duty.   (I know it seems redundant, but it asks again.)

Did you already pay?   If so, you should phone TurboTax Support for assistance.  If they don't make things right, I have an alternative for you, so please report back.

Support hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific, every day this time of year.

FAQ: What is the TurboTax phone number?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632