Personal Finance Taxes Tax Software
Written by Tanza Loudenback; edited by Richard Richtmyer
Updated
Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate tax products to write unbiased product reviews.
eFile
Insider’s Rating
3.75/5
Perks
Offers a robust library of tax explainer articles and finished tax returns will be stored in your account for up to eight years.
Fees
$0 - $39 (+$29.95 for unlimited state returns)
Pros
- Less-expensive option than leading competitors
- Can file multiple state returns for one price
- Robust library of tax explainer articles
- Finished tax returns will be stored in your account for up to eight years
Cons
- Has a more rudimentary user interface than many of the leading tax-prep providers
- No option for live, one-on-one help or to hand you return off to a tax pro to file for you
- Lacks some time-saving features such as document uploading
- No fully-free option that includes free state returns
Insider’s Take
eFile is a no-frills online tax-prep service that gets the job done for a lower price than more sophisticated offerings offered by companies such as TurboTax or H&R Block. Its menu of services is slimmer and more streamlined than the industry heavyweights, making the platform less overwhelming.
Product Details
- Free version covers: Single and married joint filers with income below $100,000; W-2 income; unemployment income; interest income below $1,500; earned income tax credit
- Rudimentary yet straightforward interface
- Cheaper state return filing than competitors
- Limited support
Who Is eFile Best For?
eFile is best for people who qualify for higher-tier products from TurboTax and H&R Block, like self-employed workers, but don't want to pay a lot. You should be reasonably confident in your tax-filing abilities, however, as the eFile platform doesn't offer the level of support you'll find with the higher-cost options.
eFile Details
- Cost of DIY filing: $0 - $39 (+$29.95 for unlimited state returns)
- Free version covers: Single and married joint filers with income below $100,000; W-2 income; unemployment income; interest income below $1,500; earned income tax credit
- Rudimentary yet straightforward interface
- Cheaper state return filing than competitors
- Limited support
eFile Pros & Cons
How Much Does eFile Cost?
Cost of DIY options and what they cover ...
- Free Basic: $0. You can use the free plan if you have taxable W-2 income or unemployment income below $100,000. You'll have to upgrade if you have investment income, freelance income, or want to claim anything other than the earned income tax credit. This plan only supports the single and joint filing statuses.
- Deluxe: $29. If you have dependents, a mortgage, or retirement income, you'll use Deluxe. But your taxable income still needs to be below $100,000.
- Premier: $39. This plan is for anyone with $100,000 or more in taxable income from any source, including trusts and business partnerships.
Extra fees will apply if ...
- You need state filing. eFile charges $29.95 for unlimited state returns, even if you qualify for the Free Basic plan. Many competitors charge a higher fee for each return.
eFile
Insider’s Rating
3.75/5
Perks
Offers a robust library of tax explainer articles and finished tax returns will be stored in your account for up to eight years.
Fees
$0 - $39 (+$29.95 for unlimited state returns)
Pros
- Less-expensive option than leading competitors
- Can file multiple state returns for one price
- Robust library of tax explainer articles
- Finished tax returns will be stored in your account for up to eight years
Cons
- Has a more rudimentary user interface than many of the leading tax-prep providers
- No option for live, one-on-one help or to hand you return off to a tax pro to file for you
- Lacks some time-saving features such as document uploading
- No fully-free option that includes free state returns
Insider’s Take
eFile is a no-frills online tax-prep service that gets the job done for a lower price than more sophisticated offerings offered by companies such as TurboTax or H&R Block. Its menu of services is slimmer and more streamlined than the industry heavyweights, making the platform less overwhelming.
Product Details
- Free version covers: Single and married joint filers with income below $100,000; W-2 income; unemployment income; interest income below $1,500; earned income tax credit
- Rudimentary yet straightforward interface
- Cheaper state return filing than competitors
- Limited support
How Does eFile Work?
eFile prides itself on providing affordable, fast, and easy-to-use software for filing your taxes online. All you have to do is create an account and you're on your way. However, it doesn't allow document upload to speed up the data entry process.
Like other platforms, eFile uses a guided question-and-answer format to help fill out your return. You can also jump around to different forms if you know what you're looking for. If you want to stop at any time, everything entered up to that point will be saved.
A bonus: eFile's approach to taxes is more lighthearted than competitors (think: songs and videos to help you "de-stress").
eFile FAQs
Is eFile.com legit?
Yes, eFile.com is a safe and reliable website for preparing individual income tax returns that's authorized by the IRS. It keeps your information secure with data encryption. It also requires multi-factor authentication every time you log in to verify your identity.
Are there any downsides to using eFile.com for taxes?
If you value affordability above all else, you'll could find a better deal through a site like FreeTax USA if you have a complicated return and are comfortable handling it without much help.
Should I use eFile?
If you prize affordability and are confident in your tax knowledge, eFile is a good option for preparing your tax return.It covers many of the same tax situations as industry leaders such as TurboTax and H&R Block for a fraction of the price, with trade-offs when it comes to features and assistance.
Compare eFile
eFile vs. FreeTaxUSA
eFile and FreeTax USA are two of the least-expensive options for preparing and filing your taxes available. The lower cost, however, comes at the expense of a simpler interface that is lacking in some of the features that might make it easier to file with the more-expensive tax software providers. If you have a complicated tax situation and cost is your biggest concern, you might be better off going with FreeTaxUSA. All federal returns filed through its platform are free, while eFile charges fees for more complex federal returns. Both also charge for state returns.
eFile vs. TaxSlayer
Both eFile and TaxSlayer are good budget options for people who don't need a lot of assistance when filing their taxes. Each offers a free option for filing relatively simple federal tax returns. If you qualify for free filing with TaxSlayer, you can also file one state tax return for free. eFile charges $29.95 for state returns. That price covers as many state returns as you need to file. TaxSlayer also offers real-time support with a tax pro with its higher-priced offerings, which is not available with eFile.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Evaluated eFile
We rate tax software on a 1-5 scale. The overall rating is a weighted average that considers five different categories when reviewing each platform, some of which are judged more heavily than others. They are:
- Cost (30%):Is there a free filing package? How does the cost of the paid tax preparation software compare to similar offerings from competitors?
- Value (20%):Does the cost justify what you get? Can you get the same features elsewhere for a lower price?
- User experience (20%):Is the tax prep software easy to use? Can you seamlessly upload or import documents? Is the guidance clear and non-jargony?
- Expert help (20%):Can you chat, email, or call a tax professional when you have questions? Is this feature included with the standard packages or does it cost extra?
- Support (10%):Is there an accuracy guarantee or audit support? Is customer service reachable and helpful?
We also considered the breadth of tax forms included in the various packages offered by each tax software company, with an emphasis on what's available at no cost.
Tanza is a CFP® professional and former correspondent for Personal Finance Insider. She broke down personal finance news and wrote about taxes, investing, retirement, wealth building, and debt management. She helmed a biweekly newsletter and a column answering reader questions about money.Tanza is the author of two ebooks, A Guide to Financial Planners and "The One-Month Plan to Master your Money."In 2020, Tanza was the editorial lead on Master Your Money, a yearlong original series providing financial tools, advice, and inspiration to millennials.Tanza joined Business Insider in June 2015 and is an alumna of Elon University, where she studied journalism and Italian. She is based in Los Angeles.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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