Why does it not let me file for free?

[JamesG1]

You may have income or deductions that require tax forms that are not supported by the Free version of TurboTax. 

You are not required to upgrade to the higher priced version of TurboTax.  However, if you do not report a certain income item, the IRS may question your tax return at a later time.  Or you may miss out on a deduction that could have reduced your taxes owed.

This website compares the versions of Turbotax.  Down the left side of the screen, see the column titled Commonly filed tax forms and schedules for which TurboTax versions support which IRS schedules or forms.

[VolvoGirl]

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/