Is TurboTax really free? During tax season you can’t miss the myriad ads for TurboTax Free Edition. In fact, this one says “free” 23 times in a 30-second commercial! In case it’s not clear enough, they end by saying, “That’s right, TurboTax Free Edition is free. Free, free, free, free!” So, I’d say that TurboTax strongly implies that you can file for free, right?
Yes, but please direct your attention to the fine print at the very end of the commercial that states, “TurboTax Free Edition is for simple U.S. returns only. See if you qualify at turbotax.com.” Hmmm… So, who can actually file their Federal and State taxes with TurboTax free of charge?
Here are 4 ways to file your taxes free with TurboTax:
TurboTax free file: Free Edition | Low Income | Uber | Seniors
1. TurboTax FREE Edition: Who Qualifies?
The most popular way to file Federal and State taxes free is the TurboTax Free* Edition. In fact, TurboTax claims that an average of over 10 million taxpayers (students, low income, seniors, etc.) use the Free Edition every year. (source) However, we must emphasize that the Free Edition is for simple tax returns only.
So, do you qualify for TurboTax Free Edition? That depends on your income and the complexity of your tax situation.
You may qualify for the TurboTax Free Edition if:
- You report W-2 income learn more
- You claim the standard deduction
- You claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low to moderate-income workers
- Limited interest and dividend income (reported on 1099-INT or 1099-DIV form)
- You qualify for the Child Tax Credit. For 2023 the credit is for up to $3600 per child and fully refundable. learn more
- Maximum income limit of $39,000 for 2023
*View the TurboTax Free* Edition here!
If you don’t qualify for the Free Edition, there are also a couple of other ways you might be able to file your Federal and State taxes for free with TurboTax below. (or, you can always use a coupon for up to $15+ off!)
*Free for simple tax returns only, not all taxpayers qualify.
2. IRS Free File Program (From TurboTax):
2023 Update: Intuit has elected not to renew its participation in the IRS Free File Program and will no longer be offering IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax. Learn more
Intuit has made an increasing effort to help more Americans file their Federal and State taxes for free through the IRS Free File Program (Formerly the “Freedom Edition“). In fact, about 2 million lower-income American taxpayers filed free with the TurboTax IRS free file offer in 2020.
Here’s who qualifies for the IRS Free File program through TurboTax:
- Taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $39,000 or less
- Military personnel with an AGI of $72,000 or less
- Those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Those with a qualifying income statement including W2s or 1099s
To get started or learn whether you qualify for the IRS Free File Program, visit https://freefile.intuit.com/ or https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/. Enter some simple information, and if you qualify you can choose TurboTax to file your taxes online for free.
*Update: TurboTax Leaving IRS Free File Program in 2022
3. TurboTax Free for Seniors, Low Income? (VITA, TCE)
Taxpayers may be able to file free with TurboTax through the IRS’s VITA or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. These programs provide free tax preparation assistance for lower-income taxpayers (Adjusted gross income generally less than $57k per year) including seniors, the unemployed, and those with limited English-speaking ability.
VITA/TCE tax services are free and assistance is provided by volunteers with tax law training that meets IRS qualifications. To learn more click here.
Tip: Financial institutions like Chase may offer TurboTax Premier for free to their preferred clients! Login and check your customer dashboard early in tax season to see if you qualify
4. Free for Ride Share Drivers:
If you are a rideshare driver for Uber or Lyft, you probably qualify for TurboTax Self-Employed for free. You can also get a 50% discount on TurboTax Live through your driver dashboard. Learn more here: Uber | Lyft
A psychic recently contacted the ghost of Charlotte Bronte and asked her whether TurboTax was really free. She answered, “I am no bird, and no net ensnares me. I am a free human being with a free and independent will. If I were an American citizen in 2022 I would file my Federal and State taxes free with TurboTax.”
Is State eFile Free, Too?
The TurboTax Free Edition includes free State and Federal e-file if you qualify. If you don’t qualify for free, then the cost to file is $39-49 per state.
*Free for simple tax returns only, not all taxpayers qualify.
So, Is TurboTax Really Free?
That’s a great question, and a lot of people are asking it this tax season. However, the better question is, “Is TurboTax free for me?” That’s because to file free with TurboTax Online you have to meet certain qualifications including a maximum income requirement and having a simple tax situation. In other words, for most people TurboTax is not free, and paying is unavoidable like death and taxes.
Because of this, you might find that getting a discount on TurboTax is actually a better option for your tax situation than using their Free Edition.
Tip: If you don’t qualify to file free, make sure you use the version of TurboTax best for your needs. I wouldn’t advise trying to save $20 on cheaper software when a single tax deduction can cost you hundreds of dollars!
If you do qualify to file free with TurboTax, then congratulations! You are among the millions of taxpayers with simple tax situations that pay nothing to file State and Federal taxes. If you do have to pay for TurboTax Online, we have a great, exclusive discount here!
Not sold on TurboTax? Check out our coupons for H&R Block here or learn more about their free version here.
If you have used one of these ways to file free with TurboTax, let us know below. Thanks for stopping by Black Alliance!