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New Member
posted Sep 4, 2024 1:27:59 AM

Unable to file turbo tax for free

I barely made any income for 2023 but requested an extension. Now that I am trying to finalize my taxes Turbo Tax is not allowing me to do them for free. Is there a reason for this? I only have paid options with Turbo Tax Deluxe being the lowest amount. Can someone help me with this situation? 

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4 Replies
Level 15
Sep 4, 2024 2:48:58 AM

@MEskoEsko you'd have to provide more details on your income.  for example, if it's just a W-2, it should be free, but if that low income includes self-employed income, it wouldn't be free. 

 

this is from the TT website: 

 

If you have a Form 1040 return and are claiming limited credits only, you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Live Assisted Basic or TurboTax Full Service at the listed price.

Situations covered (assuming no added tax complexity):

  • W-2 income
  • Interest or dividends (1099-INT/1099-DIV) that don’t require filing a Schedule B
  • IRS standard deduction
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)
  • Student loan interest deduction

Situations not covered:

  • Itemized deductions claimed on Schedule A
  • Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
  • Business or 1099-NEC income
  • Stock sales (including crypto investments)
  • Rental property income
  • Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules

Level 15
Sep 4, 2024 6:29:19 AM

Or—-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free.  There are 8  free software versions available from the IRS Free File site

 

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

 

Or—if you live in certain states you may be eligible to use the new IRS Direct File

 

( AZ, CA, FL, MA, NH, NV, NY, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY )

 

https://directfile.irs.gov/

 

New Member
Sep 4, 2024 1:33:41 PM

I appreciate the response, this is my first year getting a 1099-R Form instead of a W2 since I am now medically retired. I don't have a business, or any self-employment to add to my taxes, so I am not sure why Turbo Tax is trying to charge me for an upgrade, Deluxe being the least-priced one if my taxes should be so easy for 2023. 

New Member
Sep 4, 2024 1:35:25 PM

Thank you for your response. I will look into both of the IRS sites to see which one works best for me.