No, there is not a way around that since a 1099NEC means you have self-employment income and will have to prepare a Schedule C for your business expenses. You cannot prepare a Schedule C using the Free Edition.
Maybe you can use another method to file for free:
-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free. There are 8 free software versions available from the IRS Free File site
https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
Or—if you live in certain states you may be eligible to use the new IRS Direct File
In Filing Season 2025, Direct File will be available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
https://directfile.irs.gov/
If you use TurboTax:
If you have self-employment income for which you will pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare, you will need to use online Premium software or any version of the desktop software download so that you can prepare a Schedule C for your business expenses.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2926899-how-does-my-side-job-affect-my-taxes
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/form-1099-nec/1099-nec/L5qTsBiSe_US_en_U...
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/how-do-i-report-income-from-self-employment/00/...
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/what-is-the-self-employment-tax/00/25922
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2902389-why-am-i-paying-self-employment-tax
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901340-where-do-i-enter-schedule-c
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3398950-what-self-employed-expenses-can-i-deduct
https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/self-employed/self-employed-tax-deductions-
calculator-2021-2022-50907/
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901110-do-i-need-to-make-estimated-tax-payments-to-the-irs
If you live in a state with a state income tax, you might need to make estimated payments to your state.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/self-employed/
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/business-taxes/discussion/self-employed-don-t-miss-these-tax-moves...
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2629
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
