7/12/20 NOTE: THIS IS AN OLD ANSWER FROM LAST YEAR AND IS NO LONGER APPLICABLE.
Remember a lot of threads in this forum were started in previous years and have old information in them.
************************************************************
OLD OUTDATED ANSWER from last year
This answer assumes you are referring to the TurboTax Free File Program at this website:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/
Unfortunately you can't do that. You can't just upgrade to a paid edition from the TurboTax Free File Program. There are no upgrades in the TurboTax Free File Program, and if you use the same account (same User ID), it will keep putting you right back in the Free File Program.
There are a couple of options. To use Online TurboTax, you'd have to start over in another account with a new User ID.
OR if you don't want to start over, you could download the *.tax2018 data file from your Free File Program, then purchase 2018 desktop software (CD/download) to finish your return and file.
Thank you
I could not find the information anywhere else. It was driving me crazy. There is no way to upgrade; no explaination, just a link to the IRS.gov website?
Again, Thank you
That is right. There is NO way to upgrade from Free File to a paid version. The
IRS
does not allow it. If you need to use a paid version you have to start all over in a different account with a different user ID.There are 2 different Free versions. Turbo Tax Free Edition and the IRS Free File website. If you don't qualify for the Free File website you might be able to use Turbo Tax Free Edition. Although the Free Edition is limited in other ways.
Why didn't you qualify?
See the first paragraph - no upgrades are available for Free File website
You need to set up a new account and new username and password. But you can use the same email address for 5 accounts. How to start another return in the Online version
If you didn't qualify for the Free File Program and want to still use an online product, you can use a different account (User ID) as mentioned above. Or if you don't want to start over in a different Online account, you can download the *.tax2018 data file from the Free File Program and then finish it in purchased software.
To get the *.tax2018 data file, see this FAQ:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/saving/help/how-do-i-save-my-turbotax-online-return-as-a-tax-data-file/00/25740
To purchase desktop software directly from TurboTax, see this page:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/
See this FAQ on how to open the *.tax2018 data file in the software.
NOTE: As mentioned in that FAQ, if your *.tax2018 data file has a state return in it, you'll need to download the state program into your software before opening the file, or you'll get an error notice until you do. To do that, you can start a new dummy 2018 return in the software just long enough to download the state program. Then you can delete the dummy return.
Been using turbotax since 2000, and now I have to change my account to use it? That is the dumbest thing in the world. How hard can it be to allow users to change to the paid version?
The
IRS
does not allow users to switch from Free File to a paid version in the same account.Thanks, but that's such a draconian rule. The IRS must think low income equals low IQ.
I found this message thread because I was searching for an answer on how to do this. I finally found it and wanted to post it in case others find it too.
1. Go to https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/compare/online/
2. Click "help me choose"
3. Select the options that apply to your situation
4. Click "start for free" of whatever product you want to use when it gives you the suggestions
After that, it asked how I did my taxes last year. I selected Turbo Tax, then it had me sign in. Once I was signed in, it asked if I was sure I wanted to change to a commercial product and not use the free file program. I selected yes, clicked ok, and I was back into the normal system and out of the free file system.
Thanks for that info. It does sound like that method would have the advantage of keeping the same account (User ID). When you moved back to a commercial product, did it let you continue the return you had already started at the TurboTax IRS Free File website? i.e., did it keep the information you had entered, or did it require that you start over? Many folks who have to leave the IRS Free File Program don't want to have to start over.
Did you have to start over after switching? Or did it maintain your data. Even if starting over, keeping the same account (User ID) would be an advantage.
To upgrade to a higher version of TurboTax after you've started your 2019 return:
Yes, it pulled everything in that I had already done from before! Kept the same user ID, same information, everything. Just like I never accidentally got into the free file system.
Sorry for the slow reply, the notification someone mentioned me went to junk email.
Just want to be sure that you were able to get the upgrade you needed by:
A thousand THANK YOUs for that information! So appreciated! I was ready to tear my hair out. You are a life (or at least hair) saver! I bestow upon you the title, "Royalty of the Day", if you so desire.
YES IT IS POSSIBLE. I just had the same issue and searched for answers. This is what I did.
I googled "Turbo Tax Paid Version"
Went on this site: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/
Clicked on "Deluxe $60"
It asked me to log in
Clicked "Continue where I left off"
A messaged popped up saying "You are currently on Free version, do you wish to switch to commercial paid version?"
I clicked YES and all my info was transferred.
@ cac1945
I see you recently cheered the first answer in this thread, but that is an outdated answer from last year, and part of it is no longer applicable.
If you need to switch from the TurboTax IRS Free File Program back to paid Online TurboTax, it's possible to do that this year. Here are the steps, which allow you to keep the same account and your already-entered data:
The above instructions worked for me, but I note that I only got the option to upgrade after I clicked "Continue where I left off." I will also note I didn't clear my cache or close my browser, I simply started a private window in Firefox.
@ ifihadadollar
wrote:The above instructions worked for me, but I note that I only got the option to upgrade after I clicked "Continue where I left off." I will also note I didn't clear my cache or close my browser, I simply started a private window in Firefox.
Great news! I'm glad the steps worked.
Yes, a private window accomplishes the same thing as cleaning the browser. A new private window (private browsing, incognito mode, etc.) has a similar effect to clearing cache and cookies, since private browsing does not use/save cache, history, and cookies from a prior session.
Thank you so much!
Your advice helped me restore my prev deluxe account
This answer is wrong. There is no Upgrade option for the IRS free edition.
@trumantwo wrote:
This answer is wrong. There is no Upgrade option for the IRS free edition.
if you were using the TurboTax Free File program from the following website and you were not eligible - https://freefile.intuit.com/
Use the procedure given by User @OpFor already posted on this thread -
I found this message thread because I was searching for an answer on how to do this. I finally found it and wanted to post it in case others find it too.
1. Go to https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/compare/online/
2. Click "help me choose"
3. Select the options that apply to your situation
4. Click "start for free" of whatever product you want to use when it gives you the suggestions
After that, it asked how I did my taxes last year. I selected Turbo Tax, then it had me sign in. Once I was signed in, it asked if I was sure I wanted to change to a commercial product and not use the free file program. I selected yes, clicked ok, and I was back into the normal system and out of the free file system.
Here are the steps you can use for 2021. I just assisted a customer with switching from freefile to Premier using these steps.
1. Go to https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/compare/online/
2. Click "help me choose"
3. Select the options that apply to your situation
4. Click "start for free" of whatever product you want to use when it gives you the suggestions
After that, it asked how I did my taxes last year. Select Turbo Tax, then sign in. DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT. Once signed in, click on Personal Info and it will ask if you're sure to want to change to a commercial product and not use the free file program. Select yes, click ok, and you'll be back into the normal system and out of the free file system.