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Why am I having to pay when I’ve not had an income because of being unemployed for health reasons? I’ve not had to pay before.

 
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3 Replies

Why am I having to pay when I’ve not had an income because of being unemployed for health reasons? I’ve not had to pay before.

@ahatcher66 

Also see the comment that xmasbaby0 following mine, where she mentions that if you have no income, you may not need to file a return. 

 

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TurboTax has 2 free products, but you are not in one of them.  I'll tell you how you may be able to use one.

 

You appear to be using Live Deluxe Edition, which is a paid version--$120 for Federal and $65 for state (if applicable), and if you choose to pay the fees out of your Federal refund, there is an additional $40 service fee ($45 for California filers.)   I'll tell you about both free products below.

 

NOTE:  If you haven't already filed, you may be able to change editions.   If you have already paid/filed, then the following will not apply.  If you already paid, we can tell you how to reach TurboTax Support to tell them what happened.

 

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, such as one of Schedules 1-3, itemized deductions, education credits, student loan interest, 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 Deluxe, 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.   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 have a very simple return, don't need Schedules 1-3, and are sure you don't otherwise need Deluxe, here's how to start over and choose regular Free Edition:

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.  It is even more powerful than Deluxe, if you qualify.  For example, in addition to Schedules 1-3 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; or
      • 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/...

Why am I having to pay when I’ve not had an income because of being unemployed for health reasons? I’ve not had to pay before.

For one thing you are posting from the expensive online Deluxe Live--which provides live help from a CPA.  That version is certainly not free.

 

And if you have not had any income for 2019 you may not need to file a tax return.  What income are you entering?  

 

DO I NEED TO FILE A TAX RETURN?

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return

**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.**

Why am I having to pay when I’ve not had an income because of being unemployed for health reasons? I’ve not had to pay before.

Thanks @ xmasbaby0 .  I changed the pricing above in my original comment to reflect the cost of Live Deluxe at $120 for Federal and $65 for state.  I had originally pasted the cost for regular Deluxe.

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