Which TurboTax Does a First-Time Filer Need?
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Filing for the first time can feel a little nerve-wracking, but most new filers actually have one of the simplest returns out there. If you have a W-2 from a job, maybe a bit of interest from a savings account, and you're taking the standard deduction, the whole thing mostly comes down to answering plain-language questions and typing in the numbers from your forms. No math degree required.
The biggest first-timer questions are usually whether someone else can claim you as a dependent, how to handle a part-time or summer job, and whether you even need to file at all. The software takes care of most of this by asking simple questions and pointing you to the right answers. Your main job is gathering your documents and not rushing through it.
TurboTax Free Edition (Online)
Most first-time filers have a simple W-2 return, which is exactly what Free Edition was made for. It uses everyday language, explains terms as they pop up, and won't charge you for features you don't need yet. About a third of filers qualify, so confirm you're eligible before you begin.
Alternatives to consider
Do you even need to file?
Whether you're required to file comes down to how much you earned and your filing status. Even if you're under the threshold, it's often worth filing anyway, because if your employer held back any federal tax, filing is how you get that money back as a refund. TurboTax asks the right questions to tell you whether you have to file and whether filing is in your favor.
Am I still a dependent?
This trips up a lot of new filers. If a parent or guardian covers more than half of your support and meets the other tests, they may claim you as a dependent, and that affects your own return. You can still file your own return, but you'll note that someone else claims you. Talk it over with your family so you don't both claim the same exemption, which leads to rejected returns.
Frequently asked questions
My parents claim me as a dependent. Do I still file?＋
If you earned income, you may still need or want to file your own return to get back any withheld taxes. You'll simply check the box saying someone else can claim you as a dependent.
I only worked a summer job. Is it worth filing?＋
Often, yes. If federal tax was held back from your paychecks, filing is how you get a refund. A small W-2 return usually takes very little time.
What if I make a mistake?＋
TurboTax checks your return for common errors before you file, and you can amend a return later if you need to. If you're feeling nervous, a Live Assisted option puts an expert in your corner.
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