Why do I have to upgrade from Free Edition?
TurboTax Free Edition is intended for taxpayers who file simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Student Loan Interest, and Schedule 1-A). Roughly 37% of taxpayers qualify.
If your tax situation is more complex—for example, if you’re claiming itemized deductions like home mortgage interest, reporting unemployment income, or earning self-employment income—we’ll let you know that you need to upgrade to a paid TurboTax product. This way, you’ll get the forms you need, maximize your deductions, and file an accurate return.
Depending on what your tax situation was last year, you might need to use new tax forms to claim the same deductions, credits, or forms of income.
You can file for free with Free Edition if you have (assuming no added tax complexity):
W-2 income
Interest, dividends or original issue discounts (1099-INT/1099-DIV/1099-OID) that don’t require filing a Schedule B
IRS standard deduction
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Schedule 1-A deductions for qualified tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and seniors (65+)
Taxable qualified retirement plan distributions
You can’t file for free with Free Edition if you have:
Itemized deductions claimed on Schedule A, like charitable contributions, medical expenses, mortgage interest, and state and local tax deductions
Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
Business or 1099-NEC income (often reported by those who are self-employed, gig workers or freelancers)
Income from rental property or property sales
Credits, deductions, and income reported on other forms or schedules
We make it easy for you to file a simple return for free with Free Edition. But as your life grows, whether you’ve started investing or have a thriving new business, you can get an upgraded experience with expert help through Expert Assist and Expert Full Service.
Get more information on which forms are included in TurboTax Free Edition.
Why can’t I use TurboTax Free Edition anymore?
You may have used TurboTax Free Edition before, but changes to your tax situation mean you’re no longer eligible to file for free with Free Edition.
This year, you may have leveled up your financial life. For example, you may have made money from your own business, self-employment, or investments. Or maybe this tax year is just a bit more financially complicated.
Paid TurboTax products are well-equipped to handle the complexity of your taxes and do the heavy lifting for you. You can also get expert help with your return with Expert Assist, or have an expert file your taxes for you with Expert Full Service.
Plus, no matter what TurboTax product you use, you’ll only pay when you file. You’ll see your final refund amount before you need to pay.
