I have filed for free before even though I had student interest or added income. Why are they charging for that now?

[mesquitebean]

Likely a marketing decision.   But there are 2 free products.  If you can't use the regular Free Edition, you may be able to use the second one.  Watch for my Answer below with information on both.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

The regular Free Edition is more limited this year due to tax law changes.    If you need any of the new Schedules 1-6, for instance, then you can't use Free Edition.    You can read about the new schedules at the link below.  If you click the blue "see schedule" link there, it will show you what each schedule looks like.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4511015-what-are-the-new-schedules

Here are some common things that cannot be handled by the regular Free Edition:

     Itemized deductions
     Business or 1099-MISC income
     Sales of stocks/mutual funds/bonds
     Rental property income
     Foreign Earned Income
     HSA
     Credits, deductions and income reported on the new schedules 1–6, such as the Student Loan Interest Deduction

TurboTax also  has another free product called the TurboTax Free File Program.  It is free for both Federal and State--IF you meet just one of the qualifications.   It can handle all the usual forms without the limitations of regular Free Edition. 

You have to meet only ONE of these qualifications:

1) 2018 AGI of $34,000 or less

or

2) Eligible for EIC (earned income credit)

or

3)  Active duty military including Reservists/ National Guard with military W-2 and 2018 AGI of $66,000 or less

See this FAQ for more info:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program

If desired, here's how to switch and start over in TurboTax Free File Program.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

NOTE:  If you switch to Free File Program by that method, and find out later you don't qualify,  you won't be able to go back to regular Online TurboTax in that same account.  So instead of switching that way, if you wish you could start a new account (User ID) at the Free File Program website, which would maintain the option of returning to the other Online TurboTax account, if necessary.