the system is forcing me to take the retirement savings contribution credit but it will cost me more to upgrade then what I am getting back. How do I bypass it?

Tell the software that you were a student and it will disqualify you for the credit.

 

 

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/

 

Or—if you live in certain states you may be eligible to use the new IRS Direct File

 

 

In Filing Season 2025, Direct File will be available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

 

https://directfile.irs.gov/

 

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2629

 

The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, also known as the Saver's Credit, helps offset part of the first $2,000 workers voluntarily contribute to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), 401(k) plans and similar workplace retirement programs.

 

To remove the credit :

1. Login to your account.
2. Select Federal from the left menu.
3. Go to Deductions and Credits 
4. Scroll down to Retirement savings contribution credit in the Retirement and Investments section
5. Continue to the screen Retirement savings contribution credit and answer Yes to the question "Were you a full time student during any five month in 2024?"(Won't affect your return)

You won't qualify for the credit if you check that you were a full time student.