Why will I be charged for self employ version of turbotax when I selected IRS free Turbotax file version from IRS website?

[mesquitebean]

That's one of the top-end products.  How did you end up in Self-Employed Edition?   Did you have any self-employed business?  For example, did you have a 1099-MISC with expenses such as independent contractor?    In that edition, the Federal return is 89.99, and a state return is 36.99.

If you don't need it, we can tell you how you may be able to downgrade by using "clear and start over", and can tell you about the 2 free products.

[poorbutpaytaxes]

I needed it for self employed income and expenses. I am curious why I didnt receive free edition after I selected free version from IRS website for turbotax file. Does it include self employed too? it did not say it didnt from the IRS website

[mesquitebean]

There is a free product called FREEDOM Edition (not the same as regular Free Edition) that can handle a Schedule C with expenses, if you meet ONE of these qualifications.  It is at a separate website.  I can tell you more about it, if you qualify.

     AGI of $33,000 or less
     or active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a military-issued W-2 and a 2017 AGI of $66,000 or less
     or eligible for the Earned Income Credit (EIC aka EITC).

[mesquitebean]

The link I see at the IRS website takes people to the FREEDOM Edition website I mentioned above, not to regular Online TurboTax.

[poorbutpaytaxes]

thank you

[mesquitebean]

You're welcome.  Do you need the info for the FREEDOM website and how to switch to a new account (User ID) there?  Did you qualify with one of the criteria above?

[poorbutpaytaxes]

I qualify. I called custmer service for turbo tax. Told me freedom version from IRS website link does not support self Employed income section. I have to pay for the upgrade. Thank you for your help

[mesquitebean]

Actually the FREEDOM Edition does handle all forms IF you meet one of those qualifications I mentioned, including Schedule C with expenses.  It is fully-featured.   I can give you the complete info if you want it

Customer Service likely was confused with regular Free Edition.  FREEDOM Edition is a completely different website and product.

[mesquitebean]

Actually, in the interest of time, I'll go ahead and provide the info below, and you can decide.

[poorbutpaytaxes]

I did have to fill a 1099 misc. But my income does qualify if I had no 1099 misc form. Thank you so much for your help epo

[mesquitebean]

@poorbutpaytaxes
Oh, wait.  That's a whole different ballgame.  You didn't mention that you had already paid.  Your question asked "why will I be charged?"--not that you had already paid.  That's a lot of difference.

 They probably wouldn't refund if you already paid.    I don't work for TurboTax.  That would have to be between you and them, but they would likely say you accepted the terms by paying.  You'd have to talk to them.

[mesquitebean]

You also wrote:
"I did have to fill a 1099 misc. But my income does qualify if I had no 1099 misc form."

I'm not sure what you mean by that.   One of the qualifications for Freedom Edition will use your AGI, which includes any income from the 1099-MISC, too (less expenses).
So if your AGI is over $33,000, you might still qualify if you are eligible for EIC.

[mesquitebean]

@poorbutpaytaxes
Did you say above that you had already paid?  I could have sworn I saw such a comment that you had already paid, and that you asked if the refund process is slow.   That's when I mentioned that I don't think they would refund it.

But now I don't see your comment about having paid.  So I'm wondering if the overzealous spam filter zapped it.  Please return to the forum and confirm whether you have already paid for the Self-Employed Edition or not.    Thanks.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

TurboTax has 2 free products.  The regular Federal Free Edition is for simple 1040A or 1040EZ returns only.  It is currently free for both the Federal return and State return under the "Absolute Zero" promotion, which will likely expire sometime late winter, when there will then be a fee for the state return. 

TurboTax also has another free product called the FREEDOM Edition (not to be confused with the regular Free Edition).  It has free Federal preparation AND free State preparation. There is no efiling fee. 

The Freedom Edition is fully-featured as opposed to the regular Free Edition.  The Freedom Edition can prepare all the usual forms.  It can prepare Schedule A, C, D, E, F and enter K-1 that the Free Edition cannot.  It will prepare a Form 1040 return, or 1040A or 1040EZ.

For Freedom Edition a user needs to meet only ONE of these qualifications: 

•  AGI of $33,000 or less
•  or active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a military-issued W-2 and a 2017 AGI of $66,000 or less
•  or eligible for the Earned Income Credit (EIC aka EITC).

The FREEDOM Edition is located at the following site:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom

Here's how to switch and start over in Freedom Edition (requires new account at the Freedom website)
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-freedom-edition