1098e student loan interest, why is this no longer part of the free edition?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
June 6, 2019
2 replies
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Every year I've filled my taxes using the free edition because I don't make a lot. This year I click that I have this form and it tells me I have to pay for the deluxe edition.

xmasbaby0

Employee

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY? I WANT THE FREE EDITION

The information that you can enter in Free Edition is pretty limited now. Thanks to the new tax laws, there are no more simple Form 1040EZ or 1040A's. Everything goes on a little Form 1040 that has six extra "schedules" with it, and if you need any of those schedules, you are not able to use the Free Edition.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040

If you qualify to use it, there is another free version of the software:

Try Free File:

You qualify if your income was $34,000 or less, or $66,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program

How do I switch to TurboTax Free File Program?

Note: If you do not qualify to use Free File then you will have to upgrade to Deluxe or higher in the paid versions of the software.

Or did you add a feature that you want to remove?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899480-why-am-i-being-charged-for-turbotax-free-edition

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

vlhenley82

I had this same question. I have been using TurboTax for YEARS to do my taxes, but I will be using a different service this year. It is ridiculous they are suddenly charging for something that has always been free just because it requires a separate form (which, by the way, it ALWAYS has...my tax documents have been 8-10 pages in the past due to student loan filings, etc., and this is the ONLY year they've decided to charge for it). I will take my filing elsewhere.

drumer789

I keep seeing "TurboTax didn't change anything, the IRS did."
If the 1040 changed, it's your choice as a FinTech company to not update your software to accommodate.
And your choice is clear. TurboTax caved to their shareholders. Profits off the backs of 43 million people with student loan debt.
My deduction won't even be worth the cost.

DoninGA

Employee

@drumer789 wrote:

I keep seeing "TurboTax didn't change anything, the IRS did."
If the 1040 changed, it's your choice as a FinTech company to not update your software to accommodate.
And your choice is clear. TurboTax caved to their shareholders. Profits off the backs of 43 million people with student loan debt.
My deduction won't even be worth the cost.

Use the TurboTax Free File program if you are eligible - https://freefile.intuit.com/
If you are eligible you can use the TurboTax Free File Program which is free to file both a federal and state tax return. The Free File Program edition is a full featured personal tax program and on a separate website from the TurboTax online editions.

To qualify for free 2019 federal and state tax returns with the Free File Program, you'll need to meet at least one of these requirements:

A maximum 2019 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $36,000; or
You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
You served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum 2019 AGI of $69,000 (you'll also need a military-issued W-2).

See this TurboTax support FAQ on the Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the difference between the Free File Progam and the Free edition - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572617-what-s-the-difference-between-free-file-program-and-free-e...

And see this TurboTax support FAQ on how to switch to the TurboTax Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program