H&R says it’s free for federal, & $12.99 for State. I paid over $100 last year. What would my cost be this year. Retire Seniors here, just trying to save if we can?

The Free Edition only prepares a 1040A or 1040EZ.    The FREE version does not handle a Form 1040, or Schedules A (itemized deductions), C (business), D (investment income), E (rental/royalties), or F (farm)  so when you reach a point where an upgrade is needed you are made will aware of this situation and you have to upgrade at that point.  And for now the state is free as well. 

Here is a list of the forms the FREE version can prepare:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp (click on the "tax forms" tab link there)

An option for you (if you qualify) might be the FREEDOM Edition..  It will prepare both free Federal and in 23 states, a Free State return (the other states were 14.99 last year).   It can handle all the typical forms and schedules; in fact, it is more fully-featured than Deluxe.

The Freedom Edition is more fully-featured than the regular Free Edition. The Freedom Edition can prepare Schedule A, C, D, E, and F that the Free Edition cannot. It will prepare a Form 1040 or 1040A or 1040EZ.

A user needs to meet only ONE of these qualifications:

·       AGI of $33,000 or less

·       or active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a military-issued W-2 and a 2016 family AGI of $64,000 or less

·       or eligible for EIC (Earned Income Credit.)

The FREEDOM Edition is located at:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom 

How to switch and start over (requires new account at the Freedom website)
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-freedom-edition