do I qualify for the free service

It depends on the complexity of your tax return. TurboTax Free Edition is for simple Form 1040 returns only. This means no schedules, except for EITC, CTC, student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A.

 

See this link for more information on TurboTax Free Edition.

No one can see your information.

 

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 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.   If you started in the Free Edition and entered any data that required any extra forms or schedules, you have to upgrade to a paid version and if you are watching the screens carefully you are alerted to the upgrade.

 

 

 

TurboTax Online: Important Details about Filing Simple Form 1040 Returns

If you have a simple Form 1040 return only (no forms or schedules except as needed to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or student loan interest), you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Live Assisted Basic at the listed price. Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible.

Examples of situations included in a simple Form 1040 return (assuming no added tax complexity):

• W-2 income
• Interest, dividends or original issue discounts (1099-INT/1099-DIV/1099-OID) that don’t require filing a Schedule B
• IRS standard deduction
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
• Child Tax Credit (CTC)
• Student loan interest deduction
• Taxable qualified retirement plan distributions
•  

  Examples of situations not included in a simple Form 1040 return:

  • Itemized deductions claimed on Schedule A, like charitable contributions, medical expenses, mortgage interest and state and local tax deductions
  • Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
  • Business or 1099-NEC income (often reported by those who are self-employed, gig workers or freelancers)
  • Stock sales (including crypto investments)
  • Income from rental property or property sales
  • Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules 

     

     

     

    How can I see my TurboTax  fees? 

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-account-billing/review-fees-turbotax-online/L1XnIzgzg_US_en_US?uid=m682vq7k

     

    If your TurboTax fees are higher than expected, you can reduce them by removing add-ons     (BEFORE you e-file) :

     

    • Remove Premium Services
    • Remove MAX Defend & Restore
    • Remove a state
    • Remove PLUS Help & Support
    • Remove Pay With Your Refund

       

       

      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/