E-file is an online tax-prep service owned by Florida-based TaxWork. Its program gets the job done for a lower price than competitors, but it lacks modern design and advanced tax help.
Business Insider's personal finance team compared E-file to the best tax software and found it to be in need of improvement.
Who Is E-file Best For?
E-file is best for a budget-conscious filer with an uncomplicated tax situation. The E-file platform doesn't offer the level of support you'll find at most competitors, and its interface is rudimentary and lacks some standard features. But if you know your way around tax filing and don't need to consult a pro, E-file is a fine choice.
$0 - $39 (+$29.95 for unlimited state returns)
- 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
- 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
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.
- 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
Compare efile
$0 for Free Edition (~37% of filers qualify. Form 1040 and no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest), $39 to $69 for Deluxe, $89 to $129 for Premium
- Can be good for relatively complex tax situations that may require help navigating deductions and forms
- Offers step-by-step guidance
- Ability to upgrade for instant access to an expert
- Not all users will qualify for a $0 filing option
- Most expensive option for many tax situations
- No brick-and-mortar locations to meet with a tax pro
TurboTax is among the most expensive options for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It's especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration.
TurboTax Tax Software- Tell TurboTax about your life and it will guide you step by step. Jumpstart your taxes with last year’s info.
- Snap a photo of your W-2 or 1099-NEC and TurboTax will put your info in the right places.
- CompleteCheck™ scans your return so you can be confident it’s 100% accurate.
- You won’t pay for TurboTax until it’s time to file and you’re fully satisfied.
- TurboTax is committed to getting you your maximum refund, guaranteed.
up to $52.95 for federal tax return and an additional $39.95 for state tax return
- Strong option for self-employed filers
- Low price — comparable self-employed packages at H&R Block and TurboTax are more than 2x the cost
- All packages include phone and email support
- Self-employed package includes on-demand access to a tax professional
- Simple and clean interface
- Ability to set up reminders to pay estimated quarterly taxes throughout the year
- Filers with any type of tax situation who meet AGI limits can use the IRS Free File program to file a federal return, and maybe a state return, with TaxSlayer at no cost
- Free version advertised on its website does not include earned income tax credit or child tax credit
- Interface isn't as intuitive as H&R Block or TurboTax
TaxSlayer is a good budget option for people who don't need a lot of assistance when filing their taxes and can be a great value for self-employed filers. However, the interface can be a bit clunky, and the free and lower-cost packages might not have all the features you need.
TaxSlayer- Choose direct deposit for your refund and e-file your return to get your fastest refund possible.
- Everyone gets free, unlimited phone and email support. And if you need more help, we have you covered from Ask a Tax Pro to Audit Defense.
- Download free app for tax filing, resources, news, and tips at your fingertips.
- Guaranteed maximum refund
- 100% accuracy guaranteed
- Zero out-of-pocket fees
- Seamless data entry when you upload tax documents (PDF or photo of paper document)
- Interface is modern and easy to navigate
- Instructions are clear and helpful
- Company doesn't try to upsell you while preparing a return
- Ability to save your spot and return later
- Offices in all 50 states where tax professionals can prepare your return in person or virtually
- Cost
- $0 option does not include itemized deductions
- $0 plan does not offer on-demand chat or phone support
H&R Block has something for everyone, whether you're filing online yourself, looking for expert advice, or want to hand it off to a professional. While it doesn't offer the lowest prices you'll find for tax software, the quality of the overall user experience can justify the higher cost.
H&R Block- File your own taxes
- Step-by-step guidance
- Add expert tax help any time
- Real time results
E-file Product Details
- $0 to $39 for federal returns, state returns cost extra
- Rudimentary yet straightforward interface
- Limited professional tax support
Federal Tax Filing
E-file is an authorized IRS e-file partner. It offers three DIY filing packages — including a free one — that cover increasingly complex tax situations. Unlike other tax-prep services, E-file pushes six-figure earners into its most expensive package, regardless of the source of their income.
State Tax Filing
State tax filing is also available at E-file, though there's an added cost.
Import and Export Capabilities
E-file requires you to manually enter information from your W-2s, 1099s, and other tax forms.
When you finish your return, you can access it as a PDF within your account to print or save digitally for your records.
Accuracy and Error-Checking
If E-file's online program produces a calculation error that the company can recreate and verify, you'll get your preparation fees refunded. If your return gets rejected by the IRS, E-file tax experts can help you fix the issue and resubmit it.
E-file Pros and Cons
Advantages of E-file
- Less-expensive option than leading competitors
- File multiple state returns for one price
- Robust library of tax explainer articles
Disadvantages of E-file
- No option for live, one-on-one tax help
- Lacks some time-saving features such as document uploads
- Free file plan excludes high earners
How Much Does E-file Cost?
Free Edition
E-file's Free Basic edition covers a far smaller number of tax situations than most online tax-prep services. You can only use it if you have taxable income below $100,000 (from a W-2 job) and a filing status of single or married filing jointly. Filers over the age of 65 or those with dependents cannot use the free plan. The only tax break it supports is the Earned Income Tax Credit.
If you start off using a higher-tier plan but E-file recognizes that you qualify for free filing, it will automatically downgrade you so you're not stuck paying a fee.
Deluxe Edition
- $29
If your taxable income is above $100,000, skip to the Premier plan. If you fall below that threshold, you'll be able to use the Deluxe plan to claim dependents, report most types of income, and itemize deductions like mortgage interest. Tax credits are included too.
Premier Edition
- $39
This plan is for anyone with $100,000 or more in taxable income from any source, including trusts and business partnerships, which aren't covered with the Deluxe plan. It's also the only plan that covers standard adjustments to income, such as Health Savings Account deductions and penalties on early savings withdrawals.
State Filing Fees
E-file charges $29.95 for unlimited state returns, even if you qualify for the Free Basic plan. Many competitors charge a higher fee for one state return.
Estimate Your Taxes
How Does E-file Work?
User Interface and Design
E-file's approach to taxes is more lighthearted than competitors — think: songs and videos to help you "de-stress" and catchphrases galore — which to some filers may come off as gimmicky. It doesn't have the modern interface that more expensive alternatives boast, but it gets the job done nonetheless.
Step-by-Step Guidance
E-file prides itself on providing affordable, fast, and easy-to-use programs for self-preparing your taxes online. All you have to do is create an account and you're on your way.
Like other services, E-file 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.
However, E-file doesn't allow document upload to speed up the data entry process, which some filers may think is worth paying a premium for.
Customer Support
Support Options Available
Once you set up an account with E-file, you have access to a personal support page where you can submit questions or schedule a live chat with a tax expert (E-file does not specify the credentials its experts have, but says they're all human, not AI).
Every question and response remains on your page and can be revisited throughout the tax-prep process. But if you want to call up a tax pro and get personalized advice, you won't find that option at E-file.
Customer Service Experience
E-file doesn't provide a customer service phone number. For technical help or tax questions, you'll need to submit a request within your account.
Security and Privacy
Data Encryption and Security Measures
E-file uses industry-standard data encryption practices and IRS-approved security measures to keep your tax and personal information safe.
Privacy Policy
E-file does not sell your information to third parties without your consent. You can review the full privacy policy here.
E-file Alternatives
E-file vs. TurboTax
E-file is a budget option compared to TurboTax. While both tax-prep services cover the same tax situations, E-file lacks a modern interface and time-saving features that have come to be standard in the online tax-prep industry, such as expert assistance and document upload or import. E-file will still get the job done though, and for a fraction of the price.
Read our TurboTax review
E-file vs. H&R Block
E-file's online tax-prep offerings cover the same tax situations as H&R Block's, but H&R Block has more resources for people who need help with a complex filing situation. Free federal filing at H&R Block also covers more situations than E-file, with no restrictions on the amount of income you have.
Read our H&R Block review
E-file vs. FreeTaxUSA
E-file and FreeTax USAare two of the least expensive options for online tax prep. The lower cost, however, comes at the expense of a seamless user experience and quality professional tax help. If you have a complicated tax situation and cost is your biggest concern, you might be better off going with FreeTaxUSA. All federal tax returns filed through its platform are free, while E-file charges fees for more complex federal returns. Both also charge for state returns.
Read our FreeTaxUSA review
E-file Customer Experience
Compilation of User Feedback
E-file is not widely reviewed across the web. The company has around 200 reviews on the business review platform Trustpilot, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Satisfied customers said the self-preparation process was straightforward and quick, and customer service was helpful with troubleshooting program issues and identifying data entry errors.
Overall Rating and Satisfaction
E-file has nearly 44,000 published reviews on its website, with an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5. About 10% of the reviews are 3 stars or fewer.
File Your Taxes With E-file
FAQs About E-file
E-file is free for federal tax filing in a very limited number of situations. You need to have less than $100,000 in W-2 income and no income from other sources. You must be filing as single or married filing jointly, have no dependents, and be under the age of 65.
The Deluxe and Premier editions of E-file allow you to report nearly all types of income, itemize your deductions, and claim a long list of tax credits. But if you have more than $100,000 in taxable income, you'll need to upgrade to Premier for $10 more.
E-file guarantees the accuracy of its calculations, but if you identify an error, you could have your preparation fees refunded.
E-file doesn't allow you to import your previous tax return or other tax documents. You will need to manually enter your information during the question-and-answer process.
Every E-file user has a personal customer support page where they can submit questions to tax experts and schedule live chats. If your return is rejected by the IRS, you can get support resolving the issue and resubmitting it.
If you prize affordability and are confident in your tax knowledge, E-file is a fine 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.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed E-file
We reviewed E-file by digging into five aspects of its online tax software product and the company as a whole: cost, value, user experience, access to experts, and trustworthiness. On its own, E-file is a suitable product for simple tax filers. But when compared to similar products from competitors, our evaluation determined it fell short in some crucial areas. For instance, a lack of access to tax experts and time-saving upload features puts it behind standard industry standard offerings.
For more information, see our tax software methodology.
