I was filing my taxes and I clicked on the free file program to learn more about it and i accidentally accepted to start using it. I don't qualify but now it wont let me go back to the regular filing and wont let me submit at the end. How do I fix this?
If you mean the IRS FREE FILE program then you are in luck this year ... they made it easier to switch ...
Log out and then click the FREE online version here : https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/ and log in using the same userID to continue the return. You may be required to upgrade if the free version will not support your return.
That didn't work. It still had me using the free file program and even if I clear and submit it has me start over using it
Well then your only other option is to start a new return with a new userID ... choose the version you want and then start a new account ... if you are automatically logged in then log out and start a new account.
@ stephaniesohn
wrote:Is there really no other way?
We don't know what all you have done. But here are some detailed steps that will hopefully let you stay in the same account and keep your current data. If you've been using TurboTax IRS Free File Program at its special website to prepare your 2019 return and don't qualify, and want to go back to a paid edition of TurboTax at the Online TurboTax website to finish and file your return, here's how:
@ stephaniesohn
What are you doing???? Why are you now asking about the TurboTax IRS Free File Program?
You have a thread from several weeks ago I just found that says you have already filed your return back in April using Online Premier.
That's confusing. Why are you now several weeks later asking about the TurboTax IRS Free File Program? Are you preparing a return in a different account for someone else, such as a family member?
This worked, thank you.
I went to the Free File out of curiosity and I couldn't get out of it while trying to amend, but the above post helped, so thank you.
@yeowang wrote:This worked, thank you. I went to the Free File out of curiosity and I couldn't get out of it while trying to amend, but the above post helped, so thank you.
You're welcome. I'm glad it helped. Good luck.
This did not work for me: ".. and should ask you if you want to switch to a TurboTax commercial product". It just brings me back to the IRS Free File Program without asking me any questions.
The ability to switch between the two products is currently unavailble. You will need to start a new return at the TurboTax commercial website at this time.
Be sure to log out of your tax return, then clear your browser's cache and cookies.
Then you must start your return from the commercial TurboTax site here: TurboTax.com.
@SusanY1 What do you mean with "start a new return"? Create a new account with a new username? I honestly do not want to do that after all the time that I spent filling in my info.
"clear your browser's cache and cookies" has no effect for me.
@taxmo - the instructions given previously by mesquitebean will not work as the ability to switch between the two is currently unavailable. You will need to start a new return at TurboTax.com
All, I was able to switch back after I did all the steps listed by @mesquitebean AND I switched from Chrome to Safari (I promise to switch back to Chrome for everything after I'm done with my taxes).
@taxmo wrote:All, I was able to switch back after I did all the steps listed by @mesquitebean AND I switched from Chrome to Safari (I promise to switch back to Chrome for everything after I'm done with my taxes).
Good news! I don't know if there was something particular to your Chrome browser that was preventing it, or perhaps a retained cached page/cookie that was obviated by using a different browser, but in any case glad that switching browsers allowed you to successfully use the steps I listed to make the switch back. Thanks for reporting back.
Several users have reported success with those steps in this and other threads. But even if one were to continue to be unsuccessful, all is not lost. To avoid having to start over one could download the *.tax2019 data file from the TurboTax IRS Free File Program and open it in purchased and installed TurboTax desktop software (CD/download) to continue and file the return.
I'm having the same problem, when I've never had a problem switching before. Somehow I got into the Free File, but we don't qualify. They direct you to IRS.gov, but it just loops you back to calling TurboTax Free File for help.
And NO, we shouldn't have to make a whole new account just to use a different TurboTax product. For a brief moment there was a button that said "Upgrade" but it's gone.
We should NOT have to make a whole new account. I've been using TurboTax for over 10 years and I've NEVER had a problem switching between products.
@ MonicaCherin
wrote:Thank you!
I presume you are referring to the steps I provided higher up in this thread (I noticed you had cheered the steps.) Did they work for you to get you back into a paid product while saving your data and keeping the same account?
I did 2 free returns for my children it was easier to use and I did a separate email address for each child
Having done programing in the past I understand how the company set it up in order to keep the data separate
if a 79 year old can firgure it out anybody can do it
@latoys wrote:I did 2 free returns for my children it was easier to use and I did a separate email address for each child
Having done programing in the past I understand how the company set it up in order to keep the data separate
if a 79 year old can firgure it out anybody can do it
That is correct. That is a different situation, however. Two separate returns for different people does require 2 separate accounts (separate User IDs). Most of the people posting in this thread have reached the income limit for the TurboTax IRS Free File Program and thus no longer qualify to continue using it. So they are asking how to get back to regular paid Online TurboTax to finish. In prior years they had to use a different account and lost their entered data, but starting this year there is a way to switch back within the same account and preserving the data they already entered. I provided the steps in another comment in this thread.