Why did turbo tax trick and lie to me? I chose the “file for free” option with way less than $36,000, and they waited until the end to tell me that I have to upgrade to deluxe to finish fill

[fanfare]

Don't pay.

This happens when you use the regular TurboTax "start for free" page.

To avoid this you must log in on the other website that does the free filing under the IRS free file program.

[hbl3973]

jacques21,

Sorry to hear your quandary.  Before you upgrade,  a couple of questions for you:

1) What reason did TurboTax give for asking for the upgrade?  Stock & bond investments?

2) Were you using the FreeFile link at the IRS website, or did you go to the TurboTax website and click on a file for free link?

[fanfare]

visit the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

to find truly free filing.

If you choose TurboTax, you must create a new account.

If you sign in with your existing account, you'll be back in the same place you're trying to escape.

[VolvoGirl]

It should have said why you needed to upgrade to Deluxe.

There are 2 free versions. In the regular Turbo Tax Free Edition, information that you can enter is limited now.  Why do I have to upgrade from the Free Edition?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrading/help/why-do-i-have-to-upgrade-from-free-edition/00/26379

To go back to a lower version or the Free Edition you can try to clear and start over https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-onli...

OR There is also The Turbo Tax Free File program which is free for federal and state.  And has more forms than the Federal Free Edition, like Schedules A, B, C , D, E, F, EIC, H, K-1, SE,  etc.

To qualify for the Free File website  you just need to meet one of these 3 things
AGI $36,000 or less
Active duty military with AGI of $69,000 or less
OR qualify for EIC (earned income credit.)

In order to use the Free File program, you have to start it at a special website. Try signing in at the top right
https://freefile.intuit.com/