@ courtneyferg1 wrote: "I just spent so much time doing my mothers taxes with the free edition to find out that she doesnt qualify. Do I have to start over from scratch and if so how do i do this?"
Also, please confirm exactly which free product you're using (there are 2). Please confirm if it was indeed the regular Free Edition that you've been using or the other free product TurboTax IRS Free File Program. If you've been using the IRS Free File Program and find your mom doesn't qualify, we can tell you how to get out of it and move to a paid edition in the same account without having to start over.
TurboTax has 2 free products--regular Free Edition for limited returns, and the fully-featured TurboTax IRS Free File Program, which can handle all schedules and forms if one meets one of the qualifications to use it. I'll tell you about both products:
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 higher, such as one of Schedules 1-3, itemized deductions, education credits, student loan interest, retirement savers credit, Child and Dependent Care credit, etc.
For more info on regular Free Edition, see this FAQ:
FAQ: Is Free Edition right for me?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/is-turbotax-free-edition-right-for-me/00/2...
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
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 one qualifies. 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 it. See below:
To qualify for free 2020 federal and state tax returns through the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax, you just need to meet one of these requirements:
- Your 2020 AGI is $39,000 or less (if filing jointly MFJ, this figure is for the AGI of both spouses combined.) ; or
- You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
- In 2020, you served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum AGI of $72,000, and you have a military-issued W-2.
If you meet one of those qualifications and want to use it, it is at this special website
https://freefile.intuit.com/
but see these 2 FAQs first, including how to switch without starting over:
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/...
There are also other free file options that may have different requirements at the IRS website:
https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
