TurboTax News You Can Still Take Advantage of TurboTax Free Edition – No Strings (or Money) Attached! Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Written by TurboTaxBlogTeam Modified Jul 23, 2019 Tax Day is right around the corner! Don’t stress, TurboTax has got you covered. If you’re a taxpayer with a simple tax situation, there is still time to file your federal and state tax returns for free – guaranteed with TurboTax Free Edition. What could be better than doing your taxes for free? Absolutely nothing! Taxpayers with a simple tax return, that file W-2 income, claim the standard deduction, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Child Tax Credit can feel confident that they’re getting the most money possible in their pocket and that filing their taxes will be completely free. TurboTax Free Edition Features Include: New! Tax Reform Guidance: Tax reform guidance so taxpayers know up front if they benefit from claiming the standard deduction or itemized deductions. Taxpayers will also know how their tax outcome has changed under the new tax law with easy-to-understand explanations and year-over-year comparisons. New! Free Data Transfer: Returning customers can easily transfer their prior year information for free and new customers can effortlessly import a PDF of last year’s tax return and information for free, giving new and returning customers up to a 50% head start while eliminating data entry. Free data transfer gives new and returning customers an effortless, worry-free start to their taxes. New! Driver’s License Barcode Scan: Another easy way for new customers to get a jump start on their taxes using their mobile device without tedious data entry. Just scan the barcode on your driver’s license to quickly upload your basic information — name, address, birthday day. New! Streamlined, Personalized Experience: Powered by TurboTax own Tax Knowledge Engine, TurboTax uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to guide taxpayers through a dramatically more personalized experience – revealing smart, streamlined tax preparation and less work. W-2 Snap and Autofill: Taxpayers can save time and jumpstart their taxes by importing their W-2 from their payroll providers or snapping a photo of their W-2, verifying their data and watching as their information is put on all their right tax forms for them. With W-2 import over 150 million W-2s are supported. Step-by-step Guidance for Valuable Credits: Taxpayers get step-by-step guidance so they can easily claim the Earned Income Tax Credit worth up to $6,431, and the Child Tax Credit worth up to $2,000. Free Audit Guidance: Although less than one percent of taxpayers are audited, in the unlikely event of an audit, taxpayers can be confident that TurboTax has them covered with free audit guidance from a tax professional. In addition to the availability of TurboTax Free Edition, all TurboTax Online products are still available. Taxpayers can visit TurboTax.com and start their tax return today. Remember with TurboTax there’s no need to know tax laws. TurboTax asks you simple questions about you and gives you the tax deductions and credits you’re eligible for based on your answers. Written by TurboTaxBlogTeam More from TurboTaxBlogTeam Browse Related Articles Income and Investments Investing During Inflation 2022-03-24 Self-Employed Do Creators Pay Taxes on Money Earned? Taxes 101 First Time Taxpayers: Your Go-to Guide For Filing Your … Deductions and Credits Virtual Wedding? Deduct Your Wedding Dress on Your Taxe… Why is My Tax Refund Not What I Expected Tax Reform New! TurboTax Tax Reform Calculator Educates on How Tax… 2022-03-23 45 responses to “You Can Still Take Advantage of TurboTax Free Edition – No Strings (or Money) Attached!” I started to use turbotax free edition with my teenage son. He had some box 2 income on his 1099, and the “free” Turbo Tax edition said that he wasn’t eligible for the free version, but instead needed to upgrade to the $60 version to complete Schedule 1. We went to H&R Block free online and completed his return for free. We looked at his Schedule 1, and there were two lines filled out. I’ve been using Turbo Tax for 20 years, but how can I encourage my son to do the same when you are trying to upsell unnecessarily? Reply My daughter has 1099 income as well, so I tried H&R Block free online and they are asking her to upgrade to include a Schedule C. How were you able to use the free version for his 1099? Thank you! Reply How come I was charged for filing state? Reply free?…yeh right…it me $114 to efile my fed and state taxes….they didnt have some schedule 3 forms in the free one…so had to upgrade and they charge a efile fee too…to transfer the refund into your account…pfffft! Reply If I careless than 100000 and own a home my mortgage interest and property tax are 5000 can I use the free version and use the standard deduction? Or do I need the deluxe? Reply I love Turbo Tax and have used it for years, but it false advertises when it says file for free, which is almost always does. I ALWAYS have to pay at the end of filing the form 30-50- so it is NEVER FREE, but it always SAYS it is. I wish they would be more honest. Thinking of switching this year Reply I file this year, our income was less than 20k, but was made to upgrade to the deluxe version due to my SSI payments which are not reported income. I was charged 39.00 fed and 39.oo state and a efile fee as well. It was over $100 once again, it charged me last year as well. This may be the last year using TT due to the bait and switch. Reply thats what they did to me too…taxact is the sameway! should have paid 40 bucks at hr block Reply Imagine my surprise after using Turbo Tax several times before that I had to pay $100 and I’ve always been able to file free before. My income was under $18k this past year, recently widowed. My refund was only going to be $214. For some reason I ended up with a $60 bill from Turbo Tax by the end of doing my taxes and $40 to electronic file and for the ability to pay them with my refund…. My refund was pulled down as well by the IRS so all that for a $54 refund! Reply Already purchased Turbo Tax at COSTCO. Reply Been using turbotax since back in early 2000’s and never paid anything. I was under income limit. I file 1040ez/ Reply I filed and it was free I will use turbo tax even if it was paying the 29.99 I’ve always filed H&R and I sware turbo is so much better Reply I qualified for the free fed and state last season seeing how me income was under 20000 and I do the ez’est forms without a lot of deductions yet I was charged 29.99 for for so special services like audit protection which I didn’t want. Now this year I can’t get passed the the “done” page with our paying again the 29.99 Reply Call the feds Reply The free one that is based on Income is the TurboTax Freedom edition, which isn’t available until the middle of January. That one is free regardless of what forms you need to file as long as you meet the income requirements. It can be found here once it is active for the year: https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/ If I remember correctly from last year, Absolute Zero is free unless you have to do certain deductions and such. Then they make you pay for additional services. Reply what did u do? its happening to me right now! and i cant call causa im not from USA i dont live there Reply I paid out of pocket $4500 in dental and medical expenses will that help me get a better refund? Reply GREAT JOB TURBO TAX !!!!!A++ TO Whom It may concern, Hello my name is Gina, I am a 47 year old disabled single mother of 7 kids and a SURVIVOR of a 27 year domestic violent marriage who for the past 2 years had my identity thefted from me to the irs. I finally got that resolved and been very skeptical about filing my taxes this year. I know it’s late but I have no vehicle and I’m helping care for 88 year old cancer free mother in law and am homebound until she recovers a little bit more. . I feel very safe and comfortable after reading all the WONDERFUL QUESTIONS AND YOUR QUICK VERY INFORMATIONAL RESPONSES FROM MS.LEESA LEWIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! . Reply I did NOT choose to upgrade but got an email from TurboTax saying that I did, and $29.00 was deducted from my federal refund. 🙁 Reply Were you really surprised at THIS Ploy I guess you forgot to Read the fine print report it to the FCC andFTC Reply So untrue. I filed and got charged 71.00 …. Was not FREE .. Reply Hi Marva, Many people are getting their returns for free. If you chose an additional feature like TurboTax plus it will not be free https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2583650-what-is-turbotax-plus If you didn’t choose the additional features and you think there’s a mistake you can call customer care. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply YOU TELL THEM TTLISA YOU HAVE TO WATCH WHAT YOU CLICK ON I DO MY WHOLE FRIENDS/ FAMILY WITH TT AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BE DOING THIS FOR 10 YEARS IF YOU GET CHARGED YOU CLICKED ON IT ..IT WAS NOT TT .. Same here 71.00 charged then it tried to make me share their ad that said I paid nothing. Reply I hope I’m the winner this would be a dream come true. Reply Awesome Reply My son is a 21 year old college student. He is a legal resident of Nebraska, worked in Michigan for a company based in Minnesota–his W-2 is from Minnesota. Where does he file his tax return? Reply I filed my taxes on the 20h and they were accepted on the 21st, we are the 26th and they are still just showing as accepted. How long does it take to move from recieved to approved on the IRS Wheres My Refund site? Usually how long does the IRS take to process it and mark it approved? Have any refunds been paid out yet? Reply IRS laid off a lot of employees in 2014, so they have said to expect delays in filing returns this year. Reply It typically takes about 3-4 weeks to get a refund from the date it is received. It takes longer for a check to be sent then it does for direct deposit, so I would go with direct deposit if you need the money sooner. Reply I am 64 years old. Retired in 2003 on federal disability retirement. My question is: do I qualify for the elderly and disabled exemption. I had a hip replacement in March am I able to claim those expenses? Reply With this free option, (Absolute Zero) will I have access to download my finished form? Reply When you finish with everything there was preview button of the finish file form before you actual e-file it you could save it or print it out. Reply With this turbotax absolutely 0 within the federal health insurance part it doesn’t give me the option to put in my 2014 Policy issuer name,policy start date or the termination date is that okay? I completed everything and it said everything is correct with no problem so the only thing i need to do is to sign it. I just wanna make sure i done everything right because this is my first time filing my taxes myself. Reply If a person uses their personal vehicle for and receives mileage reimbursement, how does that affect ones take home? Reply Hi Amanda, If your employer reimburses you for using your personal vehicle they may include that in your income. If you are reimbursed you would not deduct the reimbursed expenses on your taxes. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply My son is a 21 year old college student. He is a legal resident of Nebraska, worked in Michigan for a company based in Minnesota–his W-2 is from Minnesota. Where does he file his tax return? Reply I own a home but my accountant has always filed a 1040A. Do you need a certain amount in deduction, not counting my 5 kids to itemize? Reply Hi Lisa, Yes, if you are single, your itemized deductions (Home mortgage int, property taxes, charitable contributions, etc) should exceed $6,200 and if you are married filing jointly, your itemized deductions should exceed $12,400. Often times people forget about things like donations that can bump their expenses up so they can itemize. I hope this helps you understand how you can get more tax deductions. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply […] Disclaimer: To take advantage of TurboTax Absolute Zero, you must be one of the 60 million Americans who file a 1040A/1040EZ. That means you have a taxable income of $100,000 or less and you claim the standard deduction rather than itemizing deductions. A few examples of people who won’t qualify: homeowners, independent contractors, or those with medical expenses. Learn more here. […] Reply if I am a teacher and have deductions trough that, can I use this? How different is it from the software? I’m used to using the software. Can I still import last years tax data? . Reply Hi Bree, If you make $100,000 or less and do not have itemized deductions (home mortgage interest, property taxes, etc) you should be able to use the offer and yes, you can import last year’s tax data. Here is some more information for you https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2608903-how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-software-to-the-turbotax-online. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply Who pays the Obama care penalty. I Claim my nephew on my taxes. Does he pay or do I. Reply Hi Donald, If he is considered your dependent, then you may have to pay a penalty for him, however check and see if you may be exempt from the penalty to purchase health insurance for him. Try our free exemption check tool to see if you are exempt https://turbotax.intuit.com/health-care/exemptions/#!/exemption-home Also, remember when you prepare your taxes using TurboTax we are up to date on all the new laws including health care. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply I believe the supreme court ruled that Obamacare was only legal if it was a tax, not a penalty. Read those lips. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel reply
I started to use turbotax free edition with my teenage son. He had some box 2 income on his 1099, and the “free” Turbo Tax edition said that he wasn’t eligible for the free version, but instead needed to upgrade to the $60 version to complete Schedule 1. We went to H&R Block free online and completed his return for free. We looked at his Schedule 1, and there were two lines filled out. I’ve been using Turbo Tax for 20 years, but how can I encourage my son to do the same when you are trying to upsell unnecessarily? Reply
My daughter has 1099 income as well, so I tried H&R Block free online and they are asking her to upgrade to include a Schedule C. How were you able to use the free version for his 1099? Thank you! Reply
free?…yeh right…it me $114 to efile my fed and state taxes….they didnt have some schedule 3 forms in the free one…so had to upgrade and they charge a efile fee too…to transfer the refund into your account…pfffft! Reply
If I careless than 100000 and own a home my mortgage interest and property tax are 5000 can I use the free version and use the standard deduction? Or do I need the deluxe? Reply
I love Turbo Tax and have used it for years, but it false advertises when it says file for free, which is almost always does. I ALWAYS have to pay at the end of filing the form 30-50- so it is NEVER FREE, but it always SAYS it is. I wish they would be more honest. Thinking of switching this year Reply
I file this year, our income was less than 20k, but was made to upgrade to the deluxe version due to my SSI payments which are not reported income. I was charged 39.00 fed and 39.oo state and a efile fee as well. It was over $100 once again, it charged me last year as well. This may be the last year using TT due to the bait and switch. Reply
Imagine my surprise after using Turbo Tax several times before that I had to pay $100 and I’ve always been able to file free before. My income was under $18k this past year, recently widowed. My refund was only going to be $214. For some reason I ended up with a $60 bill from Turbo Tax by the end of doing my taxes and $40 to electronic file and for the ability to pay them with my refund…. My refund was pulled down as well by the IRS so all that for a $54 refund! Reply
Been using turbotax since back in early 2000’s and never paid anything. I was under income limit. I file 1040ez/ Reply
I filed and it was free I will use turbo tax even if it was paying the 29.99 I’ve always filed H&R and I sware turbo is so much better Reply
I qualified for the free fed and state last season seeing how me income was under 20000 and I do the ez’est forms without a lot of deductions yet I was charged 29.99 for for so special services like audit protection which I didn’t want. Now this year I can’t get passed the the “done” page with our paying again the 29.99 Reply
The free one that is based on Income is the TurboTax Freedom edition, which isn’t available until the middle of January. That one is free regardless of what forms you need to file as long as you meet the income requirements. It can be found here once it is active for the year: https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/ If I remember correctly from last year, Absolute Zero is free unless you have to do certain deductions and such. Then they make you pay for additional services. Reply
what did u do? its happening to me right now! and i cant call causa im not from USA i dont live there Reply
I paid out of pocket $4500 in dental and medical expenses will that help me get a better refund? Reply
GREAT JOB TURBO TAX !!!!!A++ TO Whom It may concern, Hello my name is Gina, I am a 47 year old disabled single mother of 7 kids and a SURVIVOR of a 27 year domestic violent marriage who for the past 2 years had my identity thefted from me to the irs. I finally got that resolved and been very skeptical about filing my taxes this year. I know it’s late but I have no vehicle and I’m helping care for 88 year old cancer free mother in law and am homebound until she recovers a little bit more. . I feel very safe and comfortable after reading all the WONDERFUL QUESTIONS AND YOUR QUICK VERY INFORMATIONAL RESPONSES FROM MS.LEESA LEWIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! . Reply
I did NOT choose to upgrade but got an email from TurboTax saying that I did, and $29.00 was deducted from my federal refund. 🙁 Reply
Were you really surprised at THIS Ploy I guess you forgot to Read the fine print report it to the FCC andFTC Reply
Hi Marva, Many people are getting their returns for free. If you chose an additional feature like TurboTax plus it will not be free https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2583650-what-is-turbotax-plus If you didn’t choose the additional features and you think there’s a mistake you can call customer care. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
YOU TELL THEM TTLISA YOU HAVE TO WATCH WHAT YOU CLICK ON I DO MY WHOLE FRIENDS/ FAMILY WITH TT AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BE DOING THIS FOR 10 YEARS IF YOU GET CHARGED YOU CLICKED ON IT ..IT WAS NOT TT ..
My son is a 21 year old college student. He is a legal resident of Nebraska, worked in Michigan for a company based in Minnesota–his W-2 is from Minnesota. Where does he file his tax return? Reply
I filed my taxes on the 20h and they were accepted on the 21st, we are the 26th and they are still just showing as accepted. How long does it take to move from recieved to approved on the IRS Wheres My Refund site? Usually how long does the IRS take to process it and mark it approved? Have any refunds been paid out yet? Reply
IRS laid off a lot of employees in 2014, so they have said to expect delays in filing returns this year. Reply
It typically takes about 3-4 weeks to get a refund from the date it is received. It takes longer for a check to be sent then it does for direct deposit, so I would go with direct deposit if you need the money sooner. Reply
I am 64 years old. Retired in 2003 on federal disability retirement. My question is: do I qualify for the elderly and disabled exemption. I had a hip replacement in March am I able to claim those expenses? Reply
When you finish with everything there was preview button of the finish file form before you actual e-file it you could save it or print it out. Reply
With this turbotax absolutely 0 within the federal health insurance part it doesn’t give me the option to put in my 2014 Policy issuer name,policy start date or the termination date is that okay? I completed everything and it said everything is correct with no problem so the only thing i need to do is to sign it. I just wanna make sure i done everything right because this is my first time filing my taxes myself. Reply
If a person uses their personal vehicle for and receives mileage reimbursement, how does that affect ones take home? Reply
Hi Amanda, If your employer reimburses you for using your personal vehicle they may include that in your income. If you are reimbursed you would not deduct the reimbursed expenses on your taxes. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
My son is a 21 year old college student. He is a legal resident of Nebraska, worked in Michigan for a company based in Minnesota–his W-2 is from Minnesota. Where does he file his tax return? Reply
I own a home but my accountant has always filed a 1040A. Do you need a certain amount in deduction, not counting my 5 kids to itemize? Reply
Hi Lisa, Yes, if you are single, your itemized deductions (Home mortgage int, property taxes, charitable contributions, etc) should exceed $6,200 and if you are married filing jointly, your itemized deductions should exceed $12,400. Often times people forget about things like donations that can bump their expenses up so they can itemize. I hope this helps you understand how you can get more tax deductions. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
[…] Disclaimer: To take advantage of TurboTax Absolute Zero, you must be one of the 60 million Americans who file a 1040A/1040EZ. That means you have a taxable income of $100,000 or less and you claim the standard deduction rather than itemizing deductions. A few examples of people who won’t qualify: homeowners, independent contractors, or those with medical expenses. Learn more here. […] Reply
if I am a teacher and have deductions trough that, can I use this? How different is it from the software? I’m used to using the software. Can I still import last years tax data? . Reply
Hi Bree, If you make $100,000 or less and do not have itemized deductions (home mortgage interest, property taxes, etc) you should be able to use the offer and yes, you can import last year’s tax data. Here is some more information for you https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2608903-how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-software-to-the-turbotax-online. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
Hi Donald, If he is considered your dependent, then you may have to pay a penalty for him, however check and see if you may be exempt from the penalty to purchase health insurance for him. Try our free exemption check tool to see if you are exempt https://turbotax.intuit.com/health-care/exemptions/#!/exemption-home Also, remember when you prepare your taxes using TurboTax we are up to date on all the new laws including health care. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
I believe the supreme court ruled that Obamacare was only legal if it was a tax, not a penalty. Read those lips. Reply
