Filed on Oct 14th for a retired relative and should have qualified for free or for cheaper edition but not offered choice

[mtamaskar]

I was forced to buy the expensive Premier edition no matter what I did. Is that sort of a last minute filer penalty? 

[macuser_22]

Unless you already filed and it was rejected or you started before Oct 15, it is too late to e-file or file using the online version.    The free edition is no longer available for new tax returns.

[Critter-3]

There is no penalty for late season filing, if your relative had something in the return that required an upgrade to premiere from the free version then it would have happened on January 1st or October 15th alike. 

 For future reference, remember that there  are 10 free file options available but only if you link in in through the IRS website.

[mtamaskar]

I used the word penalty in the context of TurboTax not IRS. TT basically forced me to pay for Premium despite advertising multiple editions as available. Premium was not required for this very simple tax return but it was forced. 

[SteamTrain]

The version needed depends on what tax forms are required.....if the retired person had ANY investment, stock or bond sales, usually requiring a schedule D, then Online Premier would be required  (or most any desktop version...though desktop Deluxe would be needed for anyone with a state to file).  Even one share of stock sold would do it.

If no investment transactions during 2019, then  there's no easy way for us other users to tell you why it happened, since  we cannot see the tax file in question.......maybe farm income, rental property income, or sold their residence ?

[Critter-3]

Just a word to the wise ... if you had posted this question about the upgrade issue on 10/14 then  all of us posters  would have pointed you to the IRS FREE FILE options  ... so in the future ask first  and/or don't wait until the last minute.  Unfortunately it is too late for the 2019 return ... once you pay the online fee there are no refunds.  

If you qualify you could use one of the IRS FREE FILE options:

1. Go to gov/freefile to see all Free File options.
2. Browse each of the 10 offers or use a "look up" tool to help you find the right product. Each Free File partner sets its own eligibility standards generally based on income, age and state residency. But if your adjusted gross income was $69,000 or less (for 2019 returns), you will find at least one free product to use. Two products are in Spanish.
3. Select a provider and follow the links to their web page to begin your tax return.
4. Complete and e-file your tax return only if you have all the income and deduction records you need. The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and selecting direct deposit. If you owe, use direct pay or electronic options.

You do not have to be EITC eligible in order to qualify for Free File. Any individual or married couple that meets the income limitation can qualify. First-time filers or college students are key users. Military personnel who meet the income requirement can use any of nine partner products. And seniors who want to file the new Form 1040-SR because they are over 65 and taking the standard deduction also can use Free File.

Remember, if you meet the income requirement you will find at least one free online product. To avoid fees for state tax returns, look for a partner that offers free state tax return preparation or check out your state's tax agency website to see if they are members of the State Free File program.