Why can't I file for free?

[hartlec]

Simple return. two w2s and no other forms

[robtm]

You are are using the Deluxe TT program. If you have not paid and submitted your return, click on Tax Tools on left menu, click on Clear and start Over and chose Free option if you really qualify for it.  If you don't qualify it will tell you to upgrade to Deluxe program.

What qualifies as a simple tax return?

If you have a simple tax return, you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Live Assisted Basic or TurboTax Live Full Service Basic at the listed price. A simple tax return is one that's filed using IRS Form 1040 only, without having to attach any forms or schedules. Only certain taxpayers are eligible.

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
• Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
• Business or 1099-NEC income
• Stock sales
• Rental property income
• Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules (for example, income related to crypto investments)

If you don’t have a simple tax return, we have other paid options to file using TurboTax.

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[#3]

You are are using the Deluxe TT program. If you have not paid and submitted your return, click on Tax Tools on left menu, click on Clear and start Over and chose Free option if you really qualify for it.  If you don't qualify it will tell you to upgrade to Deluxe program.

What qualifies as a simple tax return?

If you have a simple tax return, you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Live Assisted Basic or TurboTax Live Full Service Basic at the listed price. A simple tax return is one that's filed using IRS Form 1040 only, without having to attach any forms or schedules. Only certain taxpayers are eligible.

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
• Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
• Business or 1099-NEC income
• Stock sales
• Rental property income
• Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules (for example, income related to crypto investments)

If you don’t have a simple tax return, we have other paid options to file using TurboTax.

[KatrinaLO]

TurboTax Free Edition is intended for taxpayers with very simple returns that can fit on the new 1040 form without any schedules. If we detect that your tax situation requires expanded coverage, like deductions for owning a home or self-employment income, we'll prompt you to upgrade to a version that supports the forms you'll need. Go here for more info on which forms are included in TurboTax Free Edition.

As long as you haven't submitted payment, deducted the TurboTax fee from your refund, or registered your product, you can erase your return and start from scratch in TurboTax Online. Please see the information in this TurboTax FAQ here for assistance with how to clear and start over. 

@hartlec