Every year I'm asked to upgrade... Do I need to change over to Tax Act to prepare my taxes without the upgrade?

[baldietax]

you need a certain level of the Online version depending your situation and what forms you need.  if you don't want to use Turbotax you are free to use something else.

if you have some other issue where you believe you qualify for Free version but being asked to upgrade to Deluxe pls specify further.

[CatinaT1]

Everyone's tax situation is different and the complexity of your tax situation, meaning the forms needed to file your return, determines if you qualify for the TurboTax Free Edition.

The TurboTax Free Edition is strictly limited to simple Form 1040 returns. If your return requires additional schedules to report specific types of income or to claim certain credits, the system will prompt you to upgrade to TurboTax Deluxe or higher.

Here are the most common reasons you would be required to upgrade to a paid version:

• Unemployment Income: If you received a 1099-G for unemployment benefits, this is no longer covered under the Free Edition for the 2025 tax year.
• Itemized Deductions: If you are claiming deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, or large charitable contributions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction.
• Investment Income: Reporting stock sales, cryptocurrency transactions, or rental property income.
• Self-Employment/Gig Work: If you have 1099-NEC or 1099-K income and need to deduct business expenses on Schedule C.
• Education Credits: Claiming the American Opportunity Tax Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit (Form 8863).

To see if you have forms that are not included in the free edition:

1. Sign in to your TurboTax Online account.
2. Select Tax Tools from the left menu and then click Tools.
3. Click on View Tax Summary.
4. Look for Schedules 1, 2, or 3. If any of these are present (other than for the Student Loan Interest deduction or the EITC/Child Tax Credit), an upgrade is required.

If you want to start over to remove an accidental entry: 

1. Select Tax Tools 
2. Clear and Start Over 
3. This will erase all data entered so far

Student Loan Interest (Form 1098-E) is technically an "Adjustment to Income" (an Above-the-Line deduction). While it is a common and simple form, TurboTax's commercial "Free Edition" is restricted to Form 1040 only with no additional schedules.

Even though you are taking the Standard Deduction, Student Loan Interest is reported on Schedule 1. As soon as the software detects a need for Schedule 1 (for student loans, unemployment, or self-employment), it triggers an upgrade to Deluxe.

As long as you haven't done the upgrade, you can go back to the question, "Did you pay student loan interest?", and say no, you will not need Schedule 1. The software won't prompt you to upgrade—but you will lose that deduction.