Is there a way to enter self-employment expenses without upgrading? I have TurboTax Premier. Why can't I edit Schedule C manually?

Sorry you can only enter self employment expenses into the online Self Employed version.  You can use any Desktop version.

If you want to use a lower version without losing your entries,  one thing you can do is move your Online file to a lower Desktop program and continue without paying for Online or needing to reenter your info. All the Desktop programs have the same forms.  You just get more help and guidance in the higher versions.  Plus the Desktop programs have several more features over online.

To continue in the desktop version see this…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-the-turbotax-software/00/26129

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW).

OR There is also The Turbo Tax Free File program which is free for federal and state.  And has more forms than the Federal Free Edition, like Schedules A, B, C , D, E, F, EIC, H, K-1, SE,  etc.

To qualify for the Free File website  you just need to meet one of these 3 things

AGI $39,000 or less

Active duty military with AGI of $72,000 or less

OR qualify for EIC (earned income credit.)

In order to use the Free File program, you have to start it at a special website.  Click on Sign in at the top right.  It may let you continue your return so you don't have to start over.

https://freefile.intuit.com/