Why am I being asked to upgrade to TurboTax Deluxe (from Free version) to simply input Union or Professional Fees (FYI - these dues do not appear on my T4 in Box 44)?

[Raman1]

This year, TurboTax is taking extra steps to ensure that Canadians have access to the features that will help them get the best tax outcome by broadening its product line up and directing users to the version of TurboTax that aligns with their tax situation. We’ve expanded our lineup and tailored each version of TurboTax to address the complexity of various levels of filers. This year, when you file with TurboTax, you will be directed to the version that best suits your needs based on complexity, to ensure you are getting the best possible tax outcome for the best value. 

Thank you for choosing TurboTax.

[k_mcintosh]

Raman1 ... thank you for at least Replying with a kind of a rationale ... however, the apparent recent decision by Intuit / TurboTax to make the entry of seperately documented union dues (which do not appear in Box 44 of my T4 slip) in the online TurboTax Free version result in a mandatory / forced upgrade to TurboTax Deluxe is a deviation  from the spirit of the Free version program, IMO.  My employment income for 2021 was 19,109.15 and I was required to pay 551.22 in union dues ... I think I fit the 'low income' qualifying profile, as recognized by Intuit / TurboTax, that has been in place for a number of years now.  To forgo entering these union dues will cost me 141.71, so, I guess Intuit has me by the balls ... so ... perhaps they will reap their 19.99 out of me.  I'm temped to paper file and go through the extra legwork of entering a few numbers on sheets of papers ... I always used to do my own taxes manually but have been using the TurboTax Free version of late for convenience sake.

[BONEYM]

That's even for T4PS entry for 9 dollars. They want me to upgrade to deluxe, This is ridiculous 

[k_mcintosh]

I hear ya' BONEYM ... ridiculous is right.

Inclines one to ditch Intuit / TurboTax outright ...

 ... am I being spiteful?  Yes, perhaps I am ... the recent policy change (and the deafening silence [other than yourself] since Raman1 Replied two weeks ago) has left a bad taste in my mouth.

[k_mcintosh]

Accessing this Community is kind of a joke ... there seems to be no clear path to submitting a support question either via this Community or directly to Intuit's / TT's Technical Support Department

(FYI - I participated in an online Chat on 12MAR25 [Case [phone number removed]] that produced no useful resolution) ... so ... anyways ... I have now seemingly found a way to build on and kick-start this old thread of mine.

I am running into the exact same issue filing 2024's income taxes as I did back in 2022 ...

Union Dues of $749.90 should not trigger a mandatory upgrade from TT Free to the TT Deluxe product.

That being said, how can I simply edit out previously input Union Dues in a return started in the TurboTax Free product?

Just to see the $ owing impact?

I cannot go back and edit as I am first being forced to upgrade to TT Deluxe (presumably I could perform an edit once I upgrade, however, that possibility is currently an unknown ... and ... I choose not to at this juncture ... and ... I cannot even start a new return without being forced into the TT Deluxe product.

Intuit / TT Technical Support Department ... what is your solution? ... before I go elsewhere, or, paper-file.

[TurboTaxBrenda]

Yes, Union dues or professional fees

If they were related to your employment, eligible union dues or professional fees include:
 

• annual dues for membership in a trade union or an association of public servants
• professional board dues required under provincial or territorial law
• professional or malpractice liability insurance premiums or professional membership dues required to keep a professional status recognized by law
• parity or advisory committee (or similar body) dues required under provincial or territorial law

Then you will need to upgrade.

To remove Union dues entered, you will go to Tax home on the left-hand side of your return and then to Deductions; click on the pencil, and then you can remove the amount entered and click on continue. You will then go to Tax Profile, click on Tax Profile, go to the third page, and remove the checkmark beside "Union dues or professional fees and continue. 

Thank you for choosing TurboTax. 

[k_mcintosh]

TurboTax Brenda ... thanks for Replying to my most recent (Wednesday, March 26, 2025 5:26 PM) post ...

I do not have a left hand column as you describe ... I have attempted to insert a redacted screenshot here to illustrate but keep exceeding 100,000 characters.

I have a left hand column that lists:

My Returns                          ^

    View all tax returns

    Start a new tax return

Account settings

Sign Out

So, now what?  I have not upgraded to TT Deluxe and do not intend to upgrade until I have been able to edit my Union dues out of my tax profile, as entered to date, in order to see the impact on my amount owing.

How can I access "Deductions; click on the pencil, and then ... remove the amount entered and click on continue."?  Or the follow-on instructions: "You will then go to Tax Profile, click on Tax Profile, go to the third page, and remove the checkmark beside "Union dues or professional fees and continue."?

If we can get around that hurdle, I'll consider this particular matter resolved ... insofar as amount owing comparisons go.

I still think intuit (U.S.-based, no?) / TurboTax is practicing corporate discrimnation against union folks (by forcing the upgrade from the Free to the Deluxe version) and will raise this issue with my Canadian ILWU leadership at my earliest opportunity.

Thanks, k_mcintosh

[TurboTaxAniqua]

In 2021, TurboTax optimized its editions to ensure that our customers are getting access to the forms needed to make the most out of every individual's tax situation and to respect his accuracy guarantee of the calculation. Since certain claims/expenses were moved to the appropriate edition. TurboTax is better able to guide our customers through their filing journey and ensure that no credits or deductions are missed 

Once the product has been chosen for an upgrade, it is regrettably not possible to downgrade. If you want to continue your return, you will need to start over in the version you prefer.

[k_mcintosh]

TurboTaxAniqua ... "chosen for an upgrade" ... presumably you mean my predicament where an upgrade has otherwise been forced upon me, except that I have never agreed to it ...

I have tried to start my 2024 return over as a TT Free version, however, if I want to remain within my original intuit / TT account and import last year's data, I am arbitrarily being forced back into the TT Deluxe version ... it seems like my account has irrevocably been chosen for upgrade, no matter how I proceed within my account.

This all would have been a whole lot easier if the ability to go back and edit out 'Union dues ... ' would have been presented within your online GUI (TurboTaxAniqua, you did not address this aspect of my inquiry, wherein I described for TurboTax Brenda the left margin screen menu content and lack of conformity with her instructions).  The inability to go back from the upgrade page strikes me as a carefully crafted intuit / TT gotcha' ... except that all it has served to accomplish is waste everyone's time and alienate a long term user / client (I have paid for TT Deluxe for the last 3 years ... but no more).

k_mcintosh