Updated on Sunday, December 22, 2024: Did you know that TurboTax can now specifically help college students in filing their 2025 tax returns? It’ll not only help you check and see if you qualify for up to $1000 in education related credits and deductions but also help you get the biggest refund possible. Best of all, if you have a simple tax return to file this year then you can use TurboTax completely for free (about 37% of taxpayers will qualify for it, form 1040 plus limited credits only).

How to get started?

You can start your tax return for free on TurboTax’s main start page. Once there, you’ll be able to use the education credits and deductions finder widget to see what you will be eligible to claim on your tax return. And it’s not only for full-time or part-time college and university students but also for those that were enrolled in a degree, certificate, credential or any other programs or courses used to improve job skills. After you answer a few questions about your specific situation then you’ll be able to see how much you can claim in lifetime learning credits and/or deduct in tuition and school related fees. If you also paid any student loan interest during this tax filing period then you’ll also see how much of that you can deduct.

Can can I file with TurboTax for free?

If you’re a student and need to file a simple tax return (form 1040 only) then you may be able to qualify for the TurboTax Free Edition, TurboTax Live Basic Edition, or the TurboTax Live Full Service Basic Edition. This incudes instances where you may have W-2 income, limited interest and dividend income reported on 1099-INT or 1099-DIV forms (i.e. interest earned in a bank savings account), Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC), or child tax credits. However anything beyond that — such as calculating itemized deductions, reporting stock sales, having unemployment income reported on a 1099-G form, reporting business or rental property related income, or anything reported on schedules 1-3 — won’t qualify for free filing with TurboTax.

If you don’t qualify for free tax filing this year then you can still save 10% off your TurboTax purchase by using one of these current offers (the list is updated daily and available to everyone regardless of current student status).

What if I’m an international student?

U.S. law requires international college and university students that are here on F-1 Visas to file U.S. tax returns if they have worked in the United States, received grants, made income from a U.S. source, received an allowance, or received a stipend (usually by filing a 1040NR tax form). If after your studies ended and you were unable to leave the United States because of a medical condition or medical problem then you might also need to file Form 8843 to exclude days present in the United States for purposes of the substantial presence test.

Try the free tax simulator.

If this is your first time filing your own tax return and are no longer claimed as someones dependent, but want to take a dry-run before working on the real thing, then you check out Everfi’s free tax simulator. They’ve partnered with TurboTax to design a free tax prep course to help become familiar with the information needed to fill out basic tax forms and learn about the tax filing process. At the moment there are five courses available ranging from “Taxes for Students” to “Tax for Investments and Cryptocurrency”.

Is there a specific TurboTax “service code” for students?

If you ended up using one of the TurboTax Online versions to file your taxes this year — such as Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed — you may notice a “service code” box right before you complete your return. This section does not apply to students and there is no service code that you need to enter. This is an area that’s typically only used when being helped by a customer service agent (i.e. to apply an individualized order credit or to tie back a transaction to a specific customer service representative or referral).

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Updated on Sunday, December 22, 2024: TurboTax is back once again for the 2025 tax season with free federal and state filling for E1 through E9 ranking active duty and reserve military personnel stationed both domestically and oversees. That includes those serving in the the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and, most recently, Space Force. You’ll be able to use any one of TurboTax’s Online versions for free including the Deluxe, Premier and Self-Employed versions.

How does it work?

You can start by visiting TurboTax’s Main Start Page where you’ll be able to either sign up to a new TurboTax online account or login to your existing account if you’ve previously used TurboTax before. Then select the version of the program that best matches your tax current situation: Deluxe for general tax deductions and credits, Premier if you own investments for rental property, or Self-Employed if you have also have other personal or business income/expenses that you need file. If you’re not sure which version to choose then you can start with the Deluxe version and the program will guide you to which vision you’ll need based on your individual tax situation. You can disregard any of the posted prices for the Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed versions as the appropriate discount will be applied to your order so the price at checkout becomes $0 as soon as you enter your qualifying military W-2 form. That includes both federal and state tax filing fees for using TurboTax. Just keep in mind that there is no free offer or discount available on any TurboTax Live, Plus, Max or Desktop/CD/Download versions.

What’s great about TurboTax is that even though it’s free for qualifying military filers, the program was specifically designed with input from active duty, reservists, retired military personnel, and military spouses to address specific situations that often arise from being enlisted. That includes how best to deal with, report and deduct things like combat pay, multi-state and oversees relocations/residencies, determining Home of Record, uniform and moving expenses, permanent change of stations and more.

Can my non-military spouse file for free as well?

Yes! Your non-military wife, husband or registered domestic partner can file with you for free if you are filling a joint tax return.

My Turbotax military discount was not applied.

If you’ve completed your tax return using TurboTax Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed online versions and the program is still asking you to pay, then return to the “My Info” section and make sure you completed all the military related questions. Also be sure that “Active Duty Military Pay” is selected when inputing your W-2 form. Note: A military-issued ID card is not used to apply this offer. Remember, if you just joined the military in 2025 then you won’t yet qualify for free TurboTax filing for the 2024 tax year (however you’ll be eligible in 2026 when filing your 2025 tax return assuming this freebee continues next year).

Is TurboTax free for Military Officers?

TurboTax Online is free for qualifying enlisted E1-E9 ranking military personnel who are filing this year with a military issued W-2 tax form only. All commissioned officers, warrant officers, and anyone else ranking E6 and above are excluded from this offer. But don’t worry if you don’t qualify for this free deal the you may still be able to save on your TurboTax purchase with these available discounts.

Do military veterans or retirees get a TurboTax discount?

No. Military veterans and retirees do not qualify for free filing with TurboTax.

Get a free tax consultation by phone.

If you need additional assistance in filing your tax return this year then you can take advantage of free Military OneSource tax consultants by calling 1-800-342-9647 (the service is run by H&R Block). Additional helpful resources and answers to common tax-related questions can be also found on the sub-Reddit r/Military page.

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Updated on Sunday, December 22, 2024: The 2025 tax season is here once again and as always, we’re here to take some of the pain out of filing your return — Here’s a look at all of the best TurboTax discount available today.

Our Favorite TurboTax Discounts & Offers, January 2025:

• Get an extra 10% off TurboTax online federal products — That’s on top of the current up to 40% off early-bird pricing. You’ll have your choice from the regular do-it-yourself versions, the Live Assisted versions where experts will help you as needed or the Full Service version where they do your taxes for you. Offer valid until 11:59 PM PST on January 31, 2025.
• 50% off the Quickbooks Solopreneur (with Live Assisted Tax) — If you already use Quickbooks to run your business accounting, or have though about using it, then this bundle offer is definitely worth taking a look at. You’ll get 50% off your first 3 months of service (normally $20/month, now $10/month). This is an ongoing promotion but only available to new customers.
• Military discount — All enlisted active duty military and reservists ranking from E1 through E9 can qualify for free federal and state filing with TurboTax Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed. Offer excludes TurboTax Live or TurboTax Desktop products (TurboTax CD/Download). Must have a with a W2 from DFAS in order to qualify. Military veterans and retirees get the standard TurboTax discount as allotted to everyone else.
• TurboTax for College Students — If you’re doing your taxes for the first time, then TurboTax will walk you through all the steps to take the pain out of filing. Plus, qualifying students can get over $1,000 back in education credits and deductions. And if you happen to be an international student, then the Sprintax team can help with your non-resident tax preparation.
• File for free with TurboTax Free Edition — You’ll pay nothing at all to file your federal and state taxes with the TurboTax Free Edition if you have a simple tax return. Just keep in mind that only about ~37% of taxpayers qualify (form 1040 + limited credits only). There’s no better deal than that!

This page is being updated live, all tax-season long through the tax deadline on April 15, 2025, so be sure to bookmark us and check back before filing for the latest Turbotax deals. Good luck with your tax return this year!

Was my TurboTax discount properly applied?

Just like you’ll see at any other online store, when a TurboTax discount is properly applied the full price will be crossed out in red and the new price will shown. But unlike at other checkout carts, there will not be a promo code box; all discounts from TurboTax are automatically applied to your account when you follow a qualifying and valid discount link (just like the ones tased at the top of this page!).

What’s a TurboTax “service code” and should I use it?

At checkout you’ll likely notice an optional “service code” box. This is used to adjust a purchase price for a particular version and is only given out by TurboTax’s customer support specialists on an individual case-by-case basis. For example, let’s say you accidentally filed with the wrong version. Customer support may issue you a code so that you can redo your return without having to pay twice. Keep in mind, service codes are never given out by any third-parties/affiliates as discounts.

How can Mint help make taxes easier?

Similar to QuickBooks, because Mint is also owned by Intuit (the makers of TurboTax), users of Mint have it easy when it comes to tax time. Mint integrates with TurboTax to help you get organized with your tax deductions and maximize your refund. Mint will also notify you with your refund arrives and get you set up with a high-yield savings account or CD to get your money working for you. Learn more at mint.intuit.com/taxes2.

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