topic I thought this service was free, why is it asking me to pay? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

I thought this service was free, why is it asking me to pay?

aperro2 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 18:04:22 GMT

TurboTax does have 2 free products, but you are not in on...

mesquitebean — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 18:04:24 GMT

TurboTax does have 2 free products, but you are not in one of them. You are in the most expensive of all the online products. You appear to be using Live Self-Employed which is 199.99 for a Federal return and 44.99 for a state return. That product has live help from a CPA/EA tax pro during preparation and a final review of your return which they will sign.

If you don't want the Live part, we could tell you how to remove it. You could downgrade to regular Self-Employed Edition (119.99) or possibly a lower edition (depending on what forms you need), or perhaps to one of the Free Products. Do you need Self-Employed Edition because of a Schedule C business (self-employed)? One of the free products can handle Schedule C, if you meet one of the qualifications.

The regular Free Edition is for very simple returns and is more limited this year due to tax law changes. If you need any of the new Schedules 1-6, for instance, then you can't use Free Edition. You can read about the new schedules at the link below. If you click the blue "see schedule" link there, it will show you what each schedule looks like.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4511015-what-are-the-new-schedules

Here are some common things that cannot be handled by the regular Free Edition:

     Itemized deductions
     Business or 1099-MISC income
     Sales of stocks/mutual funds/bonds
     Rental property income
     Foreign Earned Income
     HSA
     Credits, deductions and income reported on the new schedules 1–6, such as the Student Loan Interest Deduction

If you are sure you could use the regular Free Edition, you could downgrade to Free Edition, as long as you have not paid or registered. You would use the feature "Clear and start over." Here's how:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894467-can-i-downgrade-to-a-lower-priced-version-of-turbotax-onli...

TurboTax also has another free product called the TurboTax Free File Program. It is free for both Federal and State--IF you meet just one of the qualifications. It can handle all the usual forms without the limitations of regular Free Edition. It can prepare Schedule C, D, E, F, and can enter a K-1.

You have to meet only ONE of these qualifications:

1) 2018 AGI of $34,000 or less

2) Eligible for EIC (earned income credit)

3) Active duty military including Reservists/ National Guard with military W-2 and 2018 AGI of $66,000 or less

See this FAQ for more info:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program

If desired, here's how to switch and start over in TurboTax Free File Program.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

NOTE: If you switch to Free File Program by that method, and find out later you don't qualify, you won't be able to go back to regular Online TurboTax in that same account. So instead of switching that way, if you wish you could start a new account (User ID) at the Free File Program website, which would maintain the option of returning to the other Online TurboTax account, if necessary.

I want the free service. Please assist me with that, I do...

aperro2 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 18:04:25 GMT

I want the free service. Please assist me with that, I do not want the live help

TurboTax has 2 free products as discussed in my answer ab...

mesquitebean — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 18:04:26 GMT

TurboTax has 2 free products as discussed in my answer above.   Regular Free Edition which is for very simple returns is pretty limited, but it can prepare a very basic return.  It cannot handle any of the new Schedules 1-6 if you need one of those.  It cannot prepare Schedule D, E, F, or C with expenses, and cannot enter a K-1.

If you can use regular Free Edition, it is free for both Federal and State.
If it turns out Free Edition can't handle something you are entering, it will ask you to upgrade to Deluxe at 59.99 for a Federal return and 44.99 for a state return.
It you think you can use the regular Free Edition, here's how to clear and start over and choose Free Edition:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586254-how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-online">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586254-how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-online</a>

The other free product is the TurboTax Free File Program as I explained above.  You have to meet ONE of these qualifications.  It can prepare all forms and has no fees or upgrades.  It is much more powerful than regular Free Edition, if you qualify.

1) 2018 AGI of $34,000 or less
or
2) Eligible for EIC (earned income credit)
or
3)  Active duty military including Reservists/ National Guard with military W-2 and 2018 AGI of $66,000 or less

See this FAQ for more info:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program</a>

If desired, here's how to switch and start over in TurboTax Free File Program at the special website.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program</a>

NOTE:  If you switch to Free File Program by that method, and find out later you don't qualify,  you won't be able to go back to regular Online TurboTax in that same account.  So instead of switching that way, if you wish you could start a new account (User ID) at the Free File Program website, which would maintain the option of returning to the other Online TurboTax account, if necessary.