Why is turbo tax charging me to file federal? I know state is a charge but how can you charge me to file federal it’s supposed to be free in addition to using the option to pay to e-file this see

[Texas Roger]

You are using the Deluxe version which is not free. Only the Free Edition is free for federal and it is only for very simple tax returns. Here is what the Free Edition can do: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1913043-is-turbotax-free-edition-right-for-me

[dmd323]

I did not check deluxe, I did not check off anything that would charge for federal- I will NEVER use this tax software again- it's shady and it should be investigated

[DoninGA]

@dmd323 

The TurboTax Free online edition is for very simple tax returns that do not require any other form or schedule other than the Form 1040.  If your tax data requires entry on any other form or schedule then you must upgrade to the Deluxe edition or higher.

If you have not paid for the online edition you are using, have not filed your tax return or registered the Free edition, then you can clear your return and start over with a lower priced edition. Click on Switch Products on the lower left side of the program screen while working on the 2025 online tax return. Click on Clear & Start Over

Go to this TurboTax website for the Free online edition - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp

Please Note -

TurboTax Online: Important Details about Filing Form 1040 Returns with Limited Credits

A Form 1040 return with limited credits is one that's filed using IRS Form 1040 only (with the exception of the specific covered situations described below). Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible.

If you have a Form 1040 return and are claiming limited credits only, you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition or TurboTax Live Assisted Basic (if available), or you can file with 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

[VolvoGirl]

What you are describing (federal free and state efile charge)  is for the Desktop installed program.   In the Online browser version only the Free Edition is free for both federal and state.  In Deluxe and Premium the fees are to prepare federal and state.  Efiling is free.  

Is it saying you need to upgrade to Deluxe?     A couple reasons it could be….

You might be seeing Form 8959 because the amount of Medicare taxes withheld in W2 box 6 is not exactly 1.45% of the Medicare wages in box 5, due to rounding.   Try leaving the cents off of the Medicare tax on your W2 box 6.   Box 6 has to be exactly 1.45% of box 5 or less.   

If it is saying you need Schedule 3 and can't use the Free Edition it might be giving you the retirement savings credit. You can say you are a student to decline the credit. You must answer Yes when asked in the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit section if your were a full-time student. The answer to this same question asked in the personal-information section is not the answer that is used.