Is there a better or more affordable way to use TurboTax? I used to work with the free version but for the past couple years I've been paying $100+

[SteamTrain · Accepted solution]

I'm sure ideas vary, but if your income is low enough, there is the "Free File" Version  

(this is NOT the "Free Edition" you had been using)   the "Free File"  software is supposed to have all the forms, but you have to create an entirely new UserID and Password to use it.   (If you re-use an old UserID, you get bumped back to the standard TTX stuff...so use an entirely new UserID...) but if your income is too high, you get bumped out

https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/

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Desktop Deluxe can be bought in the BigBox stores, or an installation file  download on Amazon for $50-60 with one free state download

 E-filing the Fed part is free...but E-filing the one state costs another $20-$25.  So that's maybe $75-$85 at this year's prices.  next year ...don't know. Windows 7 is OK for installing that this year.  Don't know if 2019 software will allow it yet.  They have not announced that and may not until this fall or early winter.

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Can always download the Empty PDF  forms and instructions from the IRS website, and your state's tax website and prepare it manually on paper and mail it in...a lot depends on how simple you think your taxes  really are.

[SteamTrain]

Deluxe Desktop at the stores, comes in a second version without a free state for ~$10 less, so don't buy the wrong one if you need a state, because adding it later add another $40-$45 for your $10 less purchase.  

And if you do buy Desktop software, stick with the major known stores and amazon...there are some really cheap but shady sites on the web, with pirated software that may contain malware and/or viruses.