I'm here ready to file and my total says it's about $80. I thought Turbotax was free for active members?

[xmasbaby0]

Not sure what you mean by "active members."   Only the Free Edition is free for very simple returns.

You are posting from Deluxe  $40

State return $40

Refund processing to have fees deducted from federal refund by 3rd party bank $39.99 ($44.99 in CA) (This fee is optional and can be avoided by paying TT upfront using a credit/debit card)

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 new 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.https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4511011-what-happened-to-the-1040a-and-1040ez

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040 

If you qualify to use it, there is another full-featured free version of the software:

Try Free File: 

You qualify if your income was $39,000 or less, or $72,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program

• https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

Note:  If you do not qualify to use Free File then you will have to upgrade to Deluxe or higher in the paid versions of the software.   

Online Deluxe $40  State software $40

Or—-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

[SteamTrain]

@emj3388 

Wait...active Military?

Enlisted only, and Online software only...and must have a military W-2 for 2020...and many screw up getting the free filing by not properly indicating their situation.

1)  In the MyInfo section where you edit your name, you must indicate that you were in-service during 2020, and your rank, as part of the series of questions they ask there when you edit your own information.

2) IF that is complete, then you need to edit your W-2, and as you Continue a couple page AFTER the main form, there is page with a long series of checkboxes....in the middle of that set of checkboxes is one which must be checked indicating it is a W-2 for "Active military duty"....but that checkbox doesn't show unless #1 is set first.   

That is what distinguishes you as being eligible for free filing with what would normally be a paid version of TTX.  (and be careful not to set yourself up for any of the LIVE options )

[VolvoGirl]

Or There is also The Turbo Tax Free File program which is free for federal and state.  And has more forms than the Federal Free Edition, like Schedules A, B, C , D, E, F, EIC, H, K-1, SE,  etc.

To qualify for the Free File website  you just need to meet one of these 3 things.

AGI $39,000 or less.

Active duty military with AGI of $72,000 or less

OR qualify for EIC (earned income credit.)

In order to use the Free File program, you have to start it at a special website.  Click on Sign in at the top right.  It may let you continue your return so you don't have to start over.

https://freefile.intuit.com/

[SteamTrain]

AND...pleas do not attempt to file until sometime into February.....The IRS isn't even starting processing until after 27 January...and might even be into Feb before they start. 

IF you file now, and find something in the next few weeks that you forgot to enter, or mis-entered.....You are locked out of your tax file until AFTER the IRS actually attempts to process your file.  (AND...If they accept your tax file, and you need to change something...you'll have to start the special AMEND process a month or two later...and that can be a mess)