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Level 1
February 10, 2023
Question

SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME ONLY O TAX AND O REFUND. THOUGHT THIS WAS A FREE FILE. I will just fill out the IRS form and mail it.

Waste of time.

3 replies

VolvoGirl
Level 15
February 10, 2023

If you only have Social Security it is not taxable and you don't need to file a return. And you can't efile without any taxable income.

 

To go back to the Free Edition or a lower version you can try to clear and start over  https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-online/00/26444

 

In the Turbo Tax Free Edition, information that you can enter is limited now.  Why do I have to upgrade from the Free Edition?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrading/help/why-do-i-have-to-upgrade-from-free-edition/00/26379

 

Or if it doesn't let you clear and you haven't paid and filed you could just start a new account.  Online is only good for 1 return per account.  But you can use the same email address for 5 accounts.   How to start another return in the Online version

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-online/00/25596

 

Or go to the IRS Free File programs

Free File: Do your Federal Taxes for Free | Internal Revenue Service

 

 

Level 15
February 10, 2023

Not sure how you ended up in online Deluxe if the only income you entered was Social Security.  If that was your only income you are not required to file a tax return----unless you have a 1095A for having marketplace insurance.    Or did you try to enter something not supported by the Free Edition?

 

CLEAR AND START OVER

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586254-how-do-i-clear-and-start-over

 

You are posting from Deluxe  $39

State return $39

Refund processing to have fees deducted from federal refund by 3rd party bank $39 ($44.99 in CA) (This fee is optional and can be avoided by paying TT upfront using a credit/debit card)

 

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY?  I WANT THE FREE EDITION

 

The information that you can enter in Free Edition is pretty limited now.  Thanks to the new tax laws that began for 2018 returns, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's.  Everything goes on a Form 1040 that has three extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.  Using the standard deduction instead of itemizing does NOT mean you will not need any of those schedules.https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4511011-what-happened-to-the-1040a-and-1040ez   If you started in the Free Edition and entered any data that required any of those three schedules, you have to upgrade to a paid version and if you are watching the screens carefully you are alerted to the upgrade.

 

 

When you chose to “start”  in the Free Edition —

Directly below the words “Free Edition” there is a blue link that says “For simple tax returns only”   If you click that link it brings up this information:

 

 

You can file with TurboTax Free Edition if you have a simple tax return.*

*A simple tax return is Form 1040 only.

Situations covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:

  • W-2 income
  • Limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV
  • Claiming the standard deduction
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC)
  • Child tax credits
  • Student Loan Interest deduction

Situations not covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:

  • Itemized deductions
  • Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
  • Business or 1099-NEC income
  • Stock sales
  • Rental property income
  • Credits, deductions and income reported on schedules 1-3

 

How does TurboTax make any money?

Customers with more complex tax situations will file with our paid TurboTax products that provide all the additional forms and guidance they need. We also offer additional benefits that go beyond filing your taxes, but they are optional and are not required to file simple taxes for free. We hope that, over time, as our customers with simple returns need more capabilities as their financial situations change (for example owning a home, having a child, managing investments), they have loved our products and services so much that they will choose our paid TurboTax offerings to prepare and file their returns.

 

 

 

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/

 

 

How can I see my TurboTax  fees?   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online

 

If your TurboTax fees are higher than expected, you can reduce them by removing add-ons:

 

 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
fanfare
Level 15
February 10, 2023

IRS.gov has a "fill out the form on your screen and e-File it" option.

You won't have to mail anything.

 

IRS also has the  free file program with your choice of  software that is truly free.

you must  make less than a certain income.