Why did TurboTax waste my time making me think it was free and then tell me I have to upgrade at the very end?

[ee-ea]

Meet the qualifications and it is free.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/modals/simple-tax-return/

if you do not try elsewhere

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

If you do

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/change-service-level/downgrade-lower-pri...

[fanfare]

By waiting till the end they hope to lock you in because you won't want to do your taxes a second time elsewhere.

This usually works.