TurboTax has 2 free products, but you are not in one of them. You appear to be using Online Deluxe Edition, which is a paid version--currently discounted at $40 for Federal and $40 for state (if applicable), and if you choose to pay the fees out of your Federal refund, there is an additional $40 service fee ($45 for California filers.) I'll tell you about both free products below.
NOTE: If you haven't already paid, you may be able to change editions. If you have already paid/filed, then the following will not apply.
The regular Free Edition is for very simple returns and not everyone can use it. Certain forms are not available in Free Edition and require an upgrade to Deluxe, such as one of Schedules 1-3, itemized deductions, education credits, student loan interest, retirement savers credit, etc. Did you start in Free Edition and had to upgrade? If you haven't already paid or registered, and if you are sure you don't need Deluxe, you can use the "Clear and Start Over" feature to choose Free Edition, but depending on the complexity of your return you may not be able to use regular Free Edition. If you need to itemize deductions, for instance, or have one of the Schedules 1-3, etc., you won't be able to use it. See this FAQ on some situations where one cannot use Free Edition:
FAQ: Why do I have to upgrade from Free Edition?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrading/help/why-do-i-have-to-upgrade-from-free-edition/00/26379
If you have a very simple return, don't need Schedules 1-3, and are sure you don't otherwise need Deluxe, here's how to start over and choose regular Free Edition:
FAQ: How do I clear and start over in Online TurboTax?
The other free product (TurboTax IRS Free File Program) will become available in mid-January. It is fully-featured and can prepare all the usual forms and schedules. It is even more powerful than Deluxe, if you qualify. For example, in addition to Schedules 1-3 it can prepare Schedule C, D, E, F, etc., and enter K-1. But one has to meet one of the qualifications to use. See below:
To qualify for free 2020 federal and state tax returns through the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax, you just need to meet one of theserequirements:
- Your 2020 household AGI is $39,000 or less;
- You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
- In 2020, you served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum AGI of $72,000, and you have a military-issued W-2.
If you qualify for that program and want to use it when it becomes available, see these 2 FAQs:
FAQ: What is the TurboTax IRS Free File Program?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program/01/...
and
FAQ: How do I switch to the TurboTax IRS Free File Program? Unfortunately this FAQ is still showing the 2019 qualifications. I posted the 2020 qualifications above.
