E-file.com offers easy, affordable online tax filing options, especially for self-employed people

• E-file.com is an online tax preparation company with affordable pricing and a simple user interface.
  
  
• You can choose from three E-file.com plans: Free Federal Basic, Deluxe Plus, and Premium Plus.
• While E-File.com provides quality software overall, there’s not a whole lot that sets it apart from competitors like TurboTax, TaxSlayer, and FreeTaxUSA.
• File your taxes with E-file.com today and pay $25 for your state return, no matter how complicated your tax situation »

No two tax-preparation services are the same, but there’s no cut-and-dry answer as to which one is best. It all depends on what you want out of your tax software

When you ask your friends for advice, they may direct you to some big-name online companies. Are you looking for the best user interface on the market? Someone will probably tell you to file with TurboTax. Is customer service the most important thing? H&R Block might come up in conversation.

E-file.com is one of the lesser-known companies in the industry. How does this little David compare to Goliaths like TaxAct and TaxSlayer? What “special something” does it have to offer? 

What to know about E-file.com

E-file.com prides itself on providing affordable, fast, and easy-to-use software for filing your taxes online. All you have to do is click “Start for FREE,” create an account, and you’re on your way.

E-file.com is relatively new on the tax-preparation scene; it’s been around since 2014. For comparison, TaxAct was founded in 1998 and TaxSlayer came around in 1965.

As the company ages, it may introduce more features and switch things up. But for now, it’s pretty much what it claims to be: Cheap. Speedy. Simple. 

E-file.com pricing

E-file.com offers three plans for filers:

Free Federal Basic Software: Free federal returns, $25 for state returns. You can use the free plan for simple tax returns — super simple. You’ll have to upgrade if you have dependents or retirement income.

Deluxe Plus E-file: $24.99 for federal returns, $25 for state returns. If you have dependents, a mortgage, or retirement income, you’ll use Deluxe Plus. 

Premium Plus E-file: $45.99 for federal returns, $25 for state returns. If your needs aren’t covered by the Deluxe Plus plan, Premium Plus should get the job done. 

Here’s one thing I like about E-file.com compared to other companies: Most competitors require self-employed filers to upgrade to a more expensive self-employed plan, but E-file.com’s Premium Plus covers self-employed people’s needs (though this isn’t clear on the site — I had to contact customer support for an answer on this one.)

E-file.com

E-file.com provides coupon codes for discounted prices throughout the year, so there’s a decent chance you’ll pay less than the prices listed above. For example, while the coupon code SAVE24 is valid, you’ll pay $18.99 for Deluxe federal returns, $34.95 for Premium federal returns, and $19 for state returns at any level.

E-file.com versus competitors

E-file.com is affordable, the user interface makes the filing process relatively easy, and it has a customer support staff. However, there may be better choices on the market depending on your tax situation and preferences.

Do you value affordability above all else? You’ll find a better deal through FreeTaxUSA (even if you’re self-employed), or TurboTax and TaxSlayer if you’re filing a simple tax return.

Maybe usability and convenience are important to you. E-file.com’s user interface is pretty straightforward, but it’s lacking some features that competing companies offer.

For example, TaxAct and TurboTax let you select all the life situations that apply to you (you’re a business owner, you’re in school, etc.) and recommend a plan based on your answers. This way, you know which plan to use and what you’ll pay before you even get started. E-file.com doesn’t offer an option like this.

The ability to skip around the website, rather than fill out everything in order, makes filing more convenient. E-file allows you to do this, but it’s not as easy as it could be. 

The most disappointing aspect of E-file.com for me was the customer support. Your only option is to send an email, and even then, you could be waiting three business days for a reply.

E-file.com

When I sent a message to customer support, a notification popped up that said I would hear back within 24 hours. However, I then received an email stating that it typically takes 24-72 hours to receive a response.

It’s also worth noting that E-file.com hasn’t created an app, and the website isn’t very mobile-friendly. If you want to use your phone to file on the go, E-file.com isn’t the most convenient option.

• More tax day coverage:
• When are taxes due?
• How to file taxes for 2019
• What is a tax credit?
• H&R Block vs. TurboTax