At file, I kept getting an error message saying check my info. Then changed to you need to pay due to a schedule B (which I don't have. Now says because I have foreign $.

[jbarlow99]

I can't get in contact with a representative. I need to know why it was going to let me free file and has now seemed to change it's mind when I changed no information. I am getting no refund and owe no money for reference so I will not be paying for the paid version to lose money when I wasn't projected to need to the first 10 times I tried filing. TIA

[CatinaT1]

Here is a link to contact  Turbo Tax Customer Service.

[jbarlow99]

I've done rhat already and they were unable to explain why I suddenly need to pay now and I didnt prior. She said she can't refund the price either so there isn't anything she can do and I may need to file by hand to avoid paying. 

[mesquitebean]

Have you already paid or not?  I couldn't tell from your comments.

Something in your return must have caused you to upgrade.   What edition are you in now?  It should show the edition in the top left corner when you are logged in.   Does it say Do It Yourself Deluxe or Do It Yourself Premium?

What does "foreign $" refer to?   What's that all about?   Please explain what you meant with that term in your original question.

Did you happen to have foreign earned income and exclusion, and thus needed Form 2555?

Or did you need Form 1116, Foreign Tax Credit?

You also mentioned Schedule B.   Did you have any taxable interest income or dividend income that totaled over $1500, which would trigger Schedule B?

Or do you have a foreign bank account or trust?  TurboTax asks that question, and if you say "yes" it triggers Schedule B.

There are a few other things that can trigger Schedule B that are listed here:
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-b-form-1040

You wrote:  "I am getting no refund and owe no money."

That's a less-common situation.   What types of income are in your return?   Or do you by any chance have a zero-income return?  

[jbarlow99]

I live outside of the US and no longer make any US income or have ties to any US money. I have a foreign bank account because I live in a foreign country now which is why I have checked that on turbotax. While I understand this is a reason to pay for turbotax, what I am trying to explain is that I had clicked File 10 times prior to that and not been prompted to switch to the paid version. Having switched nothing, suddenly the software seemed to decide it wanted to make up reasons for me to pay to file despite me not oweing any money or getting any refund as I do not associate with US money anymore. Turbotax literally estimates my refund and amount owed to be $0 as well.

As for the schedule B, this was just the first reason it created before it switch and said it was because I have foreign income. It is my understanding I do not actually need a schedule B nor has one been added on to my account. Thanks for your response and if you have any further insight please let me know! I have since started the process by hand and completed a 2555 and a 1116 as well as a schedule 1 and obviously a 1040. Do you know of any other forms? 

[mesquitebean]

Sorry, I don't work for TurboTax.  I'm a fellow user--not a tax person.  I don't know why TurboTax waited until the final check to inform you of the upgrade.

Are you a US citizen?   You said you are living abroad, but didn't mention your citizenship. TurboTax can only prepare returns for US citizens and "resident aliens for tax purposes."  

Merely indicating that you had a foreign bank account will trigger the Schedule B because that question appears on the Schedule B.    But the Form 2555 and Form 1116 would make you upgrade anyway.

Schedule B also asks a followup question when someone has a foreign bank account.  It asks if you are required to file a FinCEN Form 114.  I'm a fellow user--not a tax person. I'm going to ask TurboTax Expert @CatinaT1 to jump back in here and explain whether or not you need to report such a FinCEN form, what it's requirements are, what exceptions there are, and how to do it, if required.

Otherwise, I can't help you prepare your return.  You hadn't mentioned of those circumstances in your first 2 postings.  So after my questions a lot more is now known about your situation, so armed with that, perhaps @CatinaT1 can help you further.

Also, since you can't use TurboTax Free Edition, be aware there are other free products which may be available to you.   Look at the free products offered at the IRS website below.  There are 8 IRS partners that offer free filing if you meet the guidelines.  Some include a free state return, if needed.

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile

[jbarlow99]

Yes I am a US citizen living and working abroad. I no longer live in the US and have not for the entirety of this tax year. 

I dont believe I am required to fill out a Schedule B from my understanding. Thank you for your help

[ThomasM125]

Schedule B would report Interest and dividend income. Normally, you would not need to file that schedule if your interest and dividend income was less than $1,500. However, you would need to file it if you had a foreign bank account, as it mentions here in the Instructions to Schedule B.