Why do I have to upgrade to get the American Opportunity credit? If I do not upgrade that means that I do not get the credit?

[Texas Roger]

The Free Edition can only handle very simple tax returns that don't require any forms other than the 1040. The American Opportunity Credit requires Schedule 3 which is not supported by the Free Edition. That is the reason you must upgrade to Deluxe.

There is another free product from the Free File Program that you may be able to use instead of the Free Edition and without having to upgrade. 

You qualify if you had $36,000 or less AGI or $69,000 or less military family AGI or qualify for EITC. Click on See if you qualify then Yes (if you do) then Start Now button, then choose Create an Account.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

[fanfare]

You upgrade to get access to the forms required.

No Forms, no credit.

[app1axa]

What's bad is that the form is only needed if you were previously denied or reduced.  Just another money grab.  The question is prompted once but then you can not get back to it again.

[MichelleLO]

You are commenting on an old thread that may have outdated information. Do you have a specific question we can assist you with?

As long as you have not filed your tax return, you can revisit any section to make changes using the topic search feature in TurboTax Online. On the left-hand side go to Tax Tools>Tools >Topic Search or Topic List. Then type the section or form that you need to update in the search box and click Go.

@app1axa