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New Member
posted Feb 19, 2020 4:25:16 PM

I was wondering if I have the ability to switch back to the free plan after already selecting your suggested plan?

0 4 463
4 Replies
Level 15
Feb 19, 2020 4:30:44 PM

You can try to downgrade to a lower version but you will have to clear and start over

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/can-i-downgrade-to-a-lower-priced-version-of-turbotax-online/00/25591

 

Level 15
Feb 19, 2020 4:31:28 PM

TurboTax has 2 free products, but you are not in one of them.  You appear to be using Online Self-Employed Edition, which is a paid version--$90 for Federal and $40 for state, and if you choose to pay out of your Federal refund, there is an additional $40 fee ($45 for California filers.)   I'll tell you about both free products below.

 

NOTE:  If you haven't already paid/filed, you may be able to change editions.   If you have already paid/filed, then the following will not apply.

 

The regular Free Edition is for very simple returns and not everyone can use it.  Certain forms are not available in Free Edition and require an upgrade to Deluxe or even higher edition, such as one of Schedules 1-3, itemized deductions, etc.   Did you start in Free Edition and had to upgrade?    If you haven't already paid or registered, and if you are sure you don't need Self-Employed Edition, you can use the "Clear and Start Over" feature to choose Free Edition, but depending on the complexity of your return you may not be able to use regular Free Edition.  If you need to itemize deductions, for instance, or have one of the Schedules 1-3, etc., you won't be able to use it, and it may ask you to upgrade again. Or if you have Self-Employed income and need Schedule C.  Regular Free Edition also does not prepare Schedules D, E, F, or enter K-1.   See this FAQ on some situations where one cannot use Free Edition:

FAQ:  Why do I have to upgrade from Free Edition?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrading/help/why-do-i-have-to-upgrade-from-free-edition/00/26379

 

If you're sure you don't need Self-Employed Edition, here's how to downgrade by starting over:

FAQ:  How do I clear and start over in Online TurboTax?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-onli...

 

The other free product (TurboTax IRS Free File Program) is fully-featured and can prepare all the usual forms and schedules, if you qualify.  For example, it can prepare Schedule C, D, E, F, etc., and enter K-1. But one has to meet one of the qualifications to use.  See below:

 

To qualify for free 2019 federal and state tax returns through the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax, you just need to meet one of these requirements:

      • Your 2019 household AGI is $36,000 or less;
      • You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
      • In 2019, you served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum AGI of $69,000, and you have a military-issued W-2.

 

If you qualify for that program and want to use it, see these 2 FAQs:

 

FAQ:  What is the TurboTax IRS Free File Program?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program/01/...

and

FAQ:  How do I switch to the TurboTax IRS Free File Program?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program/00/...

Returning Member
Feb 19, 2020 4:41:21 PM

My son was ripped off by Turbo tax, I guess he didn't quite understand it was his first time filing and it cost him like 120.

Level 15
Feb 19, 2020 4:51:20 PM


@ sr18 

wrote:

My son was ripped off by Turbo tax, I guess he didn't quite understand it was his first time filing and it cost him like 120.


Sorry to hear he had a frustrating first experience.  Did he use Online Deluxe and prepared a Federal return at $40, a state return at $40, and then chose to pay those fees out of the Federal refund?  That payment method has an additional $40 fee ($45 for California filers.)   That might account for the $120 charge he's received, but you should speak to the folks at TurboTax, as I explain below, to see if you can ask for any relief in this situation.

 

Please phone TurboTax Support.  Tell them your son's first-time situation, and that he would have qualified for one of the free editions (if so), and tell them he ended up in the wrong edition by accident.    Since he used a paid edition, he does qualify for phone support, so you should be able to reach them.    I'm not sure what they will say or do, but it can't hurt to try.

 

Hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern), 7 days/week


FAQ: What is the TurboTax phone number?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

 

Or use this contact form:
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact