A simple tax return is Form 1040 only. You must have upgraded somewhere along the line. I'll tell you how to remedy that below.
Situations covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:
- W-2 income
- Limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV
- Claiming the standard deduction
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC)
- Child tax credits
- Student Loan Interest deduction
Situations not covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:
- Itemized deductions
- Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
- Business or 1099-NEC income
- Stock sales
- Rental property income
- Credits, deductions and income reported on schedules 1-3
If you think you can use Free Edition, you can use the "Clear and Start Over feature.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-onli...
Or you may be able to use one of the providers at the IRS Free File website, where you should not encounter form limitations as long as you meet the other criteria.
They vary a bit in requirements so examine the different providers' info.
https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
When going to one of those provider websites, go through the link on the IRS page. That's how it knows to offer you the promo. You may have to go to the provider website to see what free state returns are also included or not.
The IRS also has another option: Free Fillable Forms, where you input directly into IRS electronic forms, but that method has some limitations, no guidance, and little error checking, so it should be used by more-experienced filers. And it cannot prepare a state return.
