Is TurboTax free? Who qualifies and why you might be charged

Written and tested by Tax Software Desk staff Updated September 19, 2026 4 min read

Short answer

Is TurboTax free? Yes, but only for simple Form 1040 returns: Intuit says about 37% of filers qualify for TurboTax Free Edition, which costs $0 for federal, state and filing. Any schedule beyond the EITC, Child Tax Credit, student loan interest and Schedule 1-A, such as itemized deductions or unemployment income, moves you to a paid tier.

01Filers who qualify, per Intuit: About 37%
02Free Edition cost if eligible: $0 federal, $0 state, $0 to file
03Schedules allowed: EITC, CTC, student loan interest, Schedule 1-A
04Can you downgrade after paying?: No; only before paying or filing
05IRS Free File AGI limit (tax year 2025): $89,000

Is TurboTax really free?

TurboTax is free if your return fits TurboTax Free Edition, and not otherwise. Free Edition is Intuit's no-cost online tier for simple Form 1040 returns, and when you qualify it charges nothing for the federal return, the state return or e-filing.

Eligibility is defined by the forms on your return, not by your income. A high earner with only W-2 wages can qualify, while someone with modest income and one Form 1099-G for unemployment cannot. That is the source of most surprise charges: the price is decided by what you enter, and it can change partway through the interview.

What the Free Edition covers for tax year 2025

W-2 wages
Interest, dividends and original issue discount on Forms 1099-INT, 1099-DIV and 1099-OID, when Schedule B is not required
The standard deduction
Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
Student loan interest deduction
Schedule 1-A deductions for qualified tips, overtime pay, car loan interest and the senior deduction for people 65 and older
Taxable distributions from qualified retirement plans

TurboTax: why am I being charged?

TurboTax charges you when something you entered needs a form outside the Free Edition list, and it then prompts you to upgrade. Intuit gives home ownership deductions, unemployment income and self-employment income as examples of situations that require expanded coverage.

Items that move a return out of TurboTax Free Edition (tax year 2025, verify each season)

Schedule B is the trigger people least expect. The IRS requires it when taxable interest or ordinary dividends are more than $1,500, so a healthy savings account alone can end Free Edition eligibility. Selling a few shares, even at a loss, does the same because sales are reported on Form 1099-B and need Schedule D; crypto sales now arrive on Form 1099-DA.

Does TurboTax charge to file?

Not for Free Edition returns: Intuit lists $0 to file. On paid tiers the e-filing is included in the tier price. Separate charges come from add-ons you choose, such as live expert help, and from paying your fees out of your refund instead of by card.

Why is TurboTax not free anymore for my return?

If TurboTax was free last year and not this year, one of three things usually changed. Your return gained a form, such as a first 1099-NEC side job, a new mortgage or a year of unemployment. Last year's data carried forward an entry that needs a paid form. Or the Free Edition's own list changed; Intuit defines it each season, which is why this page names the tax year it describes.

To find the item, open the tax summary or forms view in TurboTax and look for any schedule other than Schedule 1-A and the allowed credits. Deleting a form you actually need to report would make the return wrong, so only remove entries that were added by mistake.

How do I downgrade to the TurboTax Free Edition?

You can downgrade only before you pay, and before you file or register the product. After that, the price is locked in and you would need to contact TurboTax about refund options.

Open your return in TurboTax Online.
Delete any form or entry that was added by mistake and does not belong on your return.
In the left menu, select Switch Products.
Select Downgrade and choose Free Edition.
If TurboTax still requires an upgrade, a remaining entry needs a paid form. Find it in the forms list, or use Tax Tools, then Tools, then Clear & Start Over.

Add-ons such as live help are separate from the tier. Intuit's downgrade article does not describe removing them, so review the order summary at checkout and remove any extra you did not intend to buy before you pay.

Truly free alternatives if TurboTax charges you

Several no-cost routes cover returns that TurboTax Free Edition does not. TurboTax itself was not among the IRS Free File partners in 2026.

Free filing options for tax year 2025 returns
Option	Who it is for	State return
IRS Free File guided software	AGI of $89,000 or less, plus each partner's own rules	Free with some partners
Free File Fillable Forms	Any income, if you can complete forms yourself	Not offered
VITA and TCE volunteers	Generally $69,000 or less, 60 or older, disability or language support	Ask the site
MilTax	Active-duty and reserve military and certain veterans	Up to five state returns free
FreeTaxUSA	Anyone; every supported federal form free	$15.99

The details of each partner and the income test are on our IRS Free File program guide. If you try Fillable Forms and it will not accept your entries, see Free File Fillable Forms not working. For paid products compared side by side, start at the best tax software guide or read FreeTaxUSA vs TurboTax.

Step by step

Open your return
Sign in to TurboTax Online and open the current-year return.
Remove mistaken entries
Delete any form or entry that does not belong on your return.
Switch products
In the left menu select Switch Products, then Downgrade, then Free Edition.
Find what still needs a paid form
If an upgrade is still required, check the forms list for the remaining schedule, or use Clear & Start Over if nothing has been paid or filed.

Common questions

Is TurboTax free if I made under a certain income?

No. TurboTax Free Edition has no income test; it depends on which forms your return needs. The program with an income test is IRS Free File, which is for AGI of $89,000 or less for tax year 2025.

Is TurboTax free for unemployment income?

No. Intuit lists unemployment income on Form 1099-G as not included in Free Edition for tax year 2025, so it requires a paid tier.

Can I get a refund if TurboTax charged me by mistake?

Once you have paid or filed, you cannot downgrade in the product. Contact TurboTax through its support site to ask about refund options for the charge.

Is the TurboTax state return free?

Yes, when your return qualifies for Free Edition; Intuit lists $0 for the state return. On paid tiers the state return is priced separately at checkout.

Is TurboTax Desktop free?

No. There is no free desktop edition; the downloadable software is a purchased license. The free tier exists only in TurboTax Online.

Does Schedule 1-A make TurboTax charge me?

No. Intuit lists Schedule 1-A deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest and seniors as included in Free Edition for tax year 2025.

Sources

TurboTax Free Edition turbotax.intuit.com
How do I downgrade to a different TurboTax Online product? ttlc.intuit.com
How do I clear and start over? ttlc.intuit.com
About Schedule B (Form 1040) irs.gov
IRS Free File: Do your taxes for free irs.gov
Free options and resources for preparing and filing taxes in 2026 irs.gov

We check figures against these official pages. Rules change; confirm anything that affects a deadline or payment with the agency before you act.

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