Why is TurboTax making me pay when I selected the free version, I have a simple return and make under 34,000.

[ee-ea]

Free is very limited. You may not bee doing a simple return.

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

[Critter-3]

STOP ...  you may have started with the TT FREE version but were required to upgrade to deluxe at some point.   

GOOD NEWS ... if you are PATIENT and wait for the IRS site to open you CAN choose the TT option when you link in THRU the IRS site using the SAME UserID  and you will be rewarded as your progress will transfer over so you don't need to start again from scratch.

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

IRS Free File: Closed until January 2021

IRS Free File is closed for the 2020 tax season. Check back in January for Filing Season 2021 opening details.

For Filing Season 2021, you must make $72,000 or below to use one of the 10  IRS Free File partner offers.

[mesquitebean]

TurboTax has 2 free products, but you are not in one of them.  You appear to be using Online Deluxe Edition, which is a paid version--currently discounted at $40 for Federal and $40 for state (if applicable), and if you choose to pay the fees out of your Federal refund, there is an additional $40 service fee ($45 for California filers.)   I'll tell you about both free products below.

NOTE:  If you haven't already paid, you may be able to change editions.   If you have already paid/filed, then the following will not apply.

The regular Free Edition is for very simple returns and not everyone can use it.  Certain forms are not available in Free Edition and require an upgrade to Deluxe, such as one of Schedules 1-3, itemized deductions, education credits, student loan interest, retirement savers credit, etc.   Did you start in Free Edition and had to upgrade?    If you haven't already paid or registered, and if you are sure you don't need Deluxe, you can use the "Clear and Start Over" feature to choose Free Edition, but depending on the complexity of your return you may not be able to use regular Free Edition.  If you need to itemize deductions, for instance, or have one of the Schedules 1-3, etc., you won't be able to use it.   See this FAQ on some situations where one cannot use Free Edition:

FAQ:  Why do I have to upgrade from Free Edition?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrading/help/why-do-i-have-to-upgrade-from-free-edition/00/26379

If you have a very simple return, don't need Schedules 1-3, and are sure you don't otherwise need Deluxe, here's how to start over and choose regular Free Edition:

FAQ:  How do I clear and start over in Online TurboTax?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-onli...

The other free product (TurboTax IRS Free File Program) will become available in mid-January.  It is fully-featured and can prepare all the usual forms and schedules.  It is even more powerful than Deluxe, if you qualify.  For example, in addition to Schedules 1-3 it can prepare Schedule C, D, E, F, etc., and enter K-1. But one has to meet one of the qualifications to use.  See below:

To qualify for free 2020 federal and state tax returns through the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax, you just need to meet one of these requirements:

• Your 2020 household AGI is $39,000 or less;
• You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
• In 2020, you served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum AGI of $72,000, and you have a military-issued W-2.

If you qualify for that program and want to use it when it becomes available, see these 2 FAQs:

FAQ:  What is the TurboTax IRS Free File Program?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program/01/...

and

FAQ:  How do I switch to the TurboTax IRS Free File Program?   Unfortunately this FAQ is still showing the 2019 qualifications.    I posted the 2020 qualifications above.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program/00/...

[mesquitebean]

TurboTax has 2 free products, but you are not in one of them.  You appear to be using Online Deluxe Edition, which is a paid version--currently discounted at $40 for Federal and $40 for state (if applicable), and if you choose to pay the fees out of your Federal refund, there is an additional $40 service fee ($45 for California filers.)   I'll tell you about both free products below.

NOTE:  If you haven't already paid, you may be able to change editions.   If you have already paid/filed, then the following will not apply.

The regular Free Edition is for very simple returns and not everyone can use it.  Certain forms are not available in Free Edition and require an upgrade to Deluxe, such as one of Schedules 1-3, itemized deductions, education credits, student loan interest, retirement savers credit, etc.   Did you start in Free Edition and had to upgrade?    If you haven't already paid or registered, and if you are sure you don't need Deluxe, you can use the "Clear and Start Over" feature to choose Free Edition, but depending on the complexity of your return you may not be able to use regular Free Edition.  If you need to itemize deductions, for instance, or have one of the Schedules 1-3, etc., you won't be able to use it.   See this FAQ on some situations where one cannot use Free Edition:

FAQ:  Why do I have to upgrade from Free Edition?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrading/help/why-do-i-have-to-upgrade-from-free-edition/00/26379

If you have a very simple return, don't need Schedules 1-3, and are sure you don't otherwise need Deluxe, here's how to start over and choose regular Free Edition:

FAQ:  How do I clear and start over in Online TurboTax?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-onli...

The other free product (TurboTax IRS Free File Program) will become available in mid-January.  It is fully-featured and can prepare all the usual forms and schedules.  It is even more powerful than Deluxe, if you qualify.  For example, in addition to Schedules 1-3 it can prepare Schedule C, D, E, F, etc., and enter K-1. But one has to meet one of the qualifications to use.  See below:

To qualify for free 2020 federal and state tax returns through the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax, you just need to meet one of these requirements:

• Your 2020 household AGI is $39,000 or less;
• You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
• In 2020, you served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum AGI of $72,000, and you have a military-issued W-2.

If you qualify for that program and want to use it when it becomes available, see these 2 FAQs:

FAQ:  What is the TurboTax IRS Free File Program?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program/01/...

and

FAQ:  How do I switch to the TurboTax IRS Free File Program?   Unfortunately this FAQ is still showing the 2019 qualifications.    I posted the 2020 qualifications above.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program/00/...

[Carlton20]

Not sure why that is. I used TT several years in a row, no problems. This last year they made me pay, wouldn't let me continue with the free version. I instantly went to freetaxusa and got it done for free. Bye TT won't miss ya. 

[Texas Roger]

What qualifies as a simple tax return?
If you have a simple tax return, you can file for free with TurboTax Free Edition. 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
    Limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV
    IRS standard deduction
    Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC)
    Child tax credits
    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)

[sarahpearce]

because they are scum. they mislead everyone and lie that's it's free. then when you are lead along like a fool, at one point they switch your order to deluxe and charge you. This type of biz behaviour is illegal in Canada. Disgusted and wate of time. NOT FREE. MISLEADING and DECEPTIVE.

[10K1995]

I had a simple tax return and there was NO option to file for free anywhere.  I. went back multiple times and started from scratch.  I ultimately ended up with a 2 page 1040 tax return.  Its so deceptive