Tax season can be a bit of a maze, can't it? One minute you think you're breezing through with a simple return, and the next, you discover a new income stream or a deduction you didn't even know existed! Suddenly, your current TurboTax plan feels like a shoe that's a size too small. Don't worry, you're not alone! Many users find themselves in this situation, needing to upgrade for more complex tax situations or, sometimes, even downgrade if they realize they've over-purchased. The good news is that TurboTax offers flexibility to change your plan, often right within the software itself. Let's dive into how you can navigate these changes.
How to Change Your TurboTax Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide
Changing your TurboTax plan depends heavily on whether you're using the online version or the desktop software, and crucially, whether you've already paid for your return or filed it. We'll cover all these scenarios in detail.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation and Needs
Before you click anything, take a moment to understand why you want to change your plan. This is crucial because it will dictate the best path forward.
Are you upgrading or downgrading?
Upgrading: You likely started with a lower-tier product (e.g., Free, Deluxe) and now realize you need features for investments, rental properties, self-employment income, or more in-depth guidance.
Downgrading: Perhaps you initially chose a higher-tier product but discovered your tax situation isn't as complex as you thought, or you accidentally selected an option you don't need (like TurboTax Live expert help).
Have you paid for your return or filed it? This is the most critical question.
Not yet paid or filed: This is the ideal scenario! You have the most flexibility to switch.
Paid but not filed: Your options are more limited, but still possible.
Filed: If your return is already filed and accepted by the IRS/state, changing your "plan" isn't about switching products for that year's return. It's about how to handle next year's return or, in some cases, filing an amended return if you made a mistake.
Step 2: Understanding TurboTax Product Differences
To make an informed decision about changing your plan, it's helpful to know what each TurboTax product offers.
TurboTax Free Edition: Ideal for very simple tax returns (W-2 income, standard deduction, limited credits). It's designed for basic tax situations.
TurboTax Deluxe: A popular choice for homeowners, those with deductions like mortgage interest, property taxes, and charitable contributions. It helps maximize common deductions.
TurboTax Premier: Geared towards investors and rental property owners. This plan helps with reporting investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cryptocurrency) and handles rental property income and expenses.
TurboTax Self-Employed (now often combined with Premier into "Premium" for online versions): Specifically designed for freelancers, independent contractors, and small business owners who need to report self-employment income and expenses (Schedule C). It helps find industry-specific deductions.
TurboTax Live (Assisted or Full Service): These are add-ons to the core "do-it-yourself" products.
Live Assisted: Provides on-demand access to a tax expert for questions and a final review of your return.
Live Full Service: A tax expert handles your entire return from start to finish.
Important Note: For online versions, TurboTax sometimes consolidates or renames products. For instance, TurboTax Self-Employed Online has often been integrated into "TurboTax Premium Online." Always check the current product offerings on the TurboTax website to ensure you're selecting the most appropriate one for your specific tax year.
Step 3: Changing Your Plan (Before Payment or Filing)
This is the easiest scenario. If you haven't paid for your TurboTax product or filed your return yet, you have significant flexibility.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Online Users (Upgrade)
Log in to your TurboTax account: Go to the TurboTax website and sign in.
Access your return: Open the tax return you're currently working on.
Navigate to the Upgrade/Switch Product Option: Look for an option like "Tax Tools" in the left-hand menu. Within "Tax Tools," you should find an option like "Switch Products" or "Upgrade TurboTax."
Select your desired plan: TurboTax will typically show you the available upgrade options. Choose the plan that best suits your current tax situation.
Confirm the change: The system will guide you through the process, and your data should transfer seamlessly to the new product. You'll only pay the difference in price if you're upgrading.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Online Users (Downgrade)
Downgrading online is a bit trickier, especially if you've already entered a lot of data that requires a higher-tier product.
Log in to your TurboTax account: As before, sign in to your account.
Access your return.
Look for "Clear & Start Over": On the left-hand menu, under "Tax Tools," you'll often find an option called "Clear & Start Over."
Warning: This will delete all the data you've entered for your current return. Only proceed if you are comfortable re-entering your information or if you haven't entered much yet.
Confirm and choose a new product: If you choose to clear and start over, TurboTax will prompt you to confirm. After clearing, you'll be able to select a new, lower-tier TurboTax product. When the pop-up appears to select an option/add more, make sure to scroll all the way down in the box, as the downgrade option might be in small print.
Re-enter your data: You will need to re-enter your tax information in the new, lower-tier product.
Alternative Downgrade for TurboTax Live: If you simply want to remove the "Live" expert help feature but stay with your current product (Deluxe, Premier, etc.), look for an option to "Remove TurboTax Live" or "Switch from Live" within your account or under "Tax Tools." This can sometimes be done without clearing your entire return.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Desktop Software Users (Upgrade)
If you purchased the CD/download version of TurboTax:
Open your TurboTax software.
Look for an "Upgrade" option: Within the program, usually at the bottom right of the screen or under a "File" or "Help" menu, you should find an option to "Upgrade TurboTax" or "Upgrade to [Higher Version Name]."
Purchase the upgrade: You'll be prompted to pay the difference between your current version and the upgraded version.
Install any necessary updates: The software might download and install additional components for the upgraded version.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Desktop Software Users (Downgrade)
Downgrading desktop software is generally not possible with the same installation. Each desktop version (Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business) is a separate installation.
If you bought a higher version and realize you only need a lower one, you would typically need to purchase and install the lower version separately. You can often import your prior year's tax data file from a higher desktop edition to a lower one when starting a new return. However, your current year's data entered in the higher version won't transfer seamlessly to a newly installed lower version. It's often easier to just stick with the higher version if you've already invested in it, as all desktop versions include the same forms and schedules, but higher versions offer more guidance.
Step 4: Changing Your Plan (After Payment but Before Filing)
This scenario presents some limitations, especially for downgrading.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Online Users (Upgrade after payment)
If you've paid but haven't filed, upgrading is usually straightforward. The system should allow you to upgrade to a higher-tier product, and you'll simply pay the difference in cost. Follow the same steps as "For TurboTax Online Users (Upgrade)" in Step 3.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Online Users (Downgrade after payment)
If you've already paid for your TurboTax Online product, you generally cannot simply downgrade and get a refund for the difference. TurboTax considers the purchase complete.
Option 1: Clear and Start Over (Last Resort): As mentioned before, you could use the "Clear & Start Over" option. However, if you've already paid, you would not get a refund for the higher-tier product you initially paid for. You would then have to pay for the lower-tier product, essentially paying twice. This is only advisable if the cost savings for the lower tier are significant and you're willing to lose the initial payment.
Option 2: Contact TurboTax Support: In some very specific situations, especially if there was a technical glitch or miscommunication, TurboTax customer support might be able to assist. However, don't expect a guaranteed refund or simple product switch once payment has been made.
Step 5: Changing Your Plan (After Filing)
Once your tax return has been filed and accepted by the IRS or state, you cannot change the TurboTax plan for that specific tax year's return. The return is complete and processed.
Sub-heading: Correcting Errors with an Amended Return
If you filed with the wrong plan and realize you missed deductions or reported income incorrectly, you may need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X for federal).
Access your filed return: Log back into your TurboTax account and access the filed return.
Look for the "Amend" option: TurboTax usually has a clear option to "Amend (change) a return that was already filed."
Follow the prompts: The software will guide you through the process of making corrections. You won't be "changing your plan" in this instance, but rather updating the information within the framework of your original filing.
Note: Amended returns typically take much longer for the IRS to process (often several months).
Sub-heading: Planning for Next Year
If you realize your current TurboTax plan wasn't the right fit after filing, the best course of action is to:
Note your current year's needs: Make a mental note (or better yet, a physical one!) of what your tax situation required this year and what plan would have been more appropriate.
Research TurboTax products for the next tax season: When the new tax year's TurboTax products become available, research their features carefully to choose the one that aligns with your anticipated tax situation.
Step 6: Tips for a Smooth Plan Change
Don't procrastinate! The closer you get to filing, especially if you've paid, the harder it becomes to switch plans without potential complications or costs.
Save often: If you're working on your return, save your progress frequently. This is especially important if you're considering a "Clear & Start Over" option.
Understand the pricing: Be aware of the price differences between plans. Upgrading will incur an additional cost, while downgrading (if possible) might not result in a refund.
Read the fine print: Always review the terms and conditions on the TurboTax website, especially regarding upgrades, downgrades, and refunds.
Contact support if truly stuck: If you've tried the self-service options and are still having trouble, reaching out to TurboTax customer support is your next step. Be prepared to explain your situation clearly.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to choose the right TurboTax plan from the start?
Quick Answer: Begin by considering your income sources (W-2, self-employment, investments, rental property), deductions you plan to take (standard vs. itemized), and any specific credits you might qualify for. TurboTax provides a helpful comparison chart on their website.
How to tell if I need to upgrade my TurboTax plan?
Quick Answer: You likely need to upgrade if you encounter forms or situations not supported by your current plan, such as needing to report stock sales (Schedule D), rental income (Schedule E), or self-employment income (Schedule C). TurboTax will often prompt you to upgrade if you enter data requiring a higher version.
How to downgrade from TurboTax Live without starting over?
Quick Answer: Look for an option to "Remove TurboTax Live" or "Switch from Live" within the "Tax Tools" section of your online return. This might be possible without clearing your entire return, but isn't always guaranteed.
How to get a refund after downgrading my TurboTax plan?
Quick Answer: Generally, if you've already paid for a higher TurboTax Online plan and then downgrade, you will not receive a refund for the price difference. You'd typically need to "Clear & Start Over" before payment to effectively choose a lower-priced plan.
How to upgrade from TurboTax Deluxe to Premier?
Quick Answer: In TurboTax Online, go to "Tax Tools" and then "Switch Products" or "Upgrade TurboTax." For desktop software, look for an "Upgrade" option within the program itself. You'll pay the difference.
How to switch from TurboTax Online to the desktop software?
Quick Answer: You cannot directly "switch" your in-progress return from online to desktop. You would need to start a new return in the desktop software and manually re-enter your information. However, you can often download a PDF of your in-progress online return for reference.
How to clear my TurboTax return and start over?
Quick Answer: In TurboTax Online, navigate to "Tax Tools" in the left-hand menu and select "Clear & Start Over." Be aware that this deletes all entered data.
How to know if my TurboTax plan covers my small business income?
Quick Answer: If you have income or expenses from self-employment (e.g., freelance work, gig economy, sole proprietorship), you'll likely need TurboTax Self-Employed (or Premium in some online versions) as it includes Schedule C.
How to find out what forms are included in each TurboTax plan?
Quick Answer: TurboTax provides detailed comparison charts on its official website, outlining the specific forms and schedules supported by each online and desktop product.
How to contact TurboTax customer support for plan changes?
Quick Answer: You can find TurboTax's customer support contact information (phone, chat) on their official support page. Be ready with your account details and a clear description of your issue.