On this page13 sections
E-file.com is a legitimate, IRS-authorized e-file software provider, BBB accredited with an A+ since 2014. It's a good fit if you're comfortable doing your own return and want to pay less than the big brands: Premium Plus covers self-employment and itemized deductions for $49.99 federal, or $42.49 with its current coupon, plus $32.99 for state. The free tier is narrow, limited to single or joint filers with no dependents and simple income, and the optional pay-with-refund route adds a $39.99 fee. If your income was $89,000 or less, check IRS Free File first.
Your options
-
E-file.com This review Do-it-yourself filers who want lower prices than TurboTax or H&R Block and don't need live expert help.
-
FileTax.com Alternative People who want an inexpensive, quick extension or a flat-price return and value phone and expert support over the lowest possible price.
- Company
- E-file.com LLC, Ponte Vedra, FL; in business since 20116
- Free federal
- Basic Software, for single or married filing jointly with no dependents and income from wages, unemployment, taxable scholarships or tips2
- Paid federal tiers
- Deluxe Plus $29.99 and Premium Plus $49.99; $25.49 and $42.49 with coupon FED15OFF1
- State return
- $32.99 per state, regardless of form4
- Pay with your refund
- Refund Transfer through Green Dot Bank and SBTPG adds a $39.99 fee; no fee to pay by card4
- Refunds
- Request within 90 days; not available once you print, view the PDF or file the return3
- Support
- Email tickets on Basic; phone and email on Deluxe and Premium; replies within 24 to 48 hours5
- BBB
- A+, accredited since January 2014; 19 complaints in the last 3 years6
Pros
- Free federal filing for simple single or joint returns
- Paid tiers cost less than most big brands, with self-employment covered for $49.99
- Flat $32.99 state fee regardless of the forms you need
- Free correction and resubmission if the IRS rejects your return
- A+ BBB rating and accreditation since 2014
Cons
- Free tier excludes dependents and most adjustments and credits
- No refund once you print, view the PDF or file
- Paying with your refund adds $39.99
- Phone support only on paid tiers; Basic users get email tickets
- No published accuracy guarantee on the pages we checked
Best for: Do-it-yourself filers who want lower prices than TurboTax or H&R Block and don't need live expert help.
Skip it if: Your income qualifies for IRS Free File or you want a tax pro to review your return.
E-file.com vs. competitors
| Company | Free federal tier | Self-employed federal price | State return | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-file.com | Yes, simple returns with no dependents | $49.99 ($42.49 with coupon) | $32.99 | A+, accredited since 2014 | Visit site |
| TaxAct | Free Edition; about 40% of filers qualify, per TaxAct | $109.99 | Extra | Read review | |
| FileTax.com | No | $89.95 DIY | Included | Visit site | |
| Cash App Taxes | Yes, $0 for all supported returns | $0 | $0, one state only | Read review |
Tax filing services we reviewed
-
E-file.com This review BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Do-it-yourself filers who want lower prices than TurboTax or H&R Block and don't need live expert help. -
FileTax.com BestGuide rating: 4.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want an inexpensive, quick extension or a flat-price return and value phone and expert support over the lowest possible price. -
TurboTax BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Filers with complex returns who want polished software and the option of on-demand or full-service expert help. -
TaxSlayer BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Budget DIY filers, including freelancers and landlords, who want all forms in an inexpensive tier and don't need much live help. -
Tax1099 BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small businesses, bookkeepers and CPAs who file more than a few 1099s or W-2s and want e-filing, recipient delivery and TIN checks in one tool. -
Cash App BestGuide rating: 3.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Do-it-yourself filers who live and work in one state and want to file the current year's federal and state return for $0, even with freelance or investment income. -
TaxAct BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: DIY filers, including freelancers and investors, who want guided software and a strong accuracy guarantee for less than TurboTax.
E-file.com pricing at a glance
E-file.com prices, as listed October 20261
| Tier | Federal price | With FED15OFF coupon | State | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Federal Basic | $0 | $0 | $32.99 | Single or joint, no dependents, simple wage income |
| Deluxe Plus | $29.99 | $25.49 | $32.99 | Dependents, mortgage interest, retirement income, income up to $100,000 |
| Premium Plus | $49.99 | $42.49 | $32.99 | Itemized deductions, all credit schedules, business income, audit assistance |
| Have a Pro Do Your Taxes | From $89.95 | Not applicable | Not published | Professional prep, prior year, amended and business returns |
Paying with your refund adds a $39.99 Refund Transfer fee. Coupon codes change during the year, and some fine print on the site still mentions older codes, so check the total at checkout.
E-file.com, step by step
Create a free account
Sign up at e-file.com and enter your personal details. You don't pay to start.
Answer the interview
Enter income and deductions; the software picks the tier your return needs and saves your progress.
Review the price
Before you file, you'll see the federal tier and $32.99 state fee. Enter any coupon at checkout.
Pay and e-file
Pay by card with no extra fee, or from your refund for a $39.99 Refund Transfer fee, then transmit to the IRS and your state.
Fix rejections free
If the IRS rejects your return, you can correct and resend it at no charge or print and mail it.
E-file.com legitimacy and licensing
Yes. E-file. Filing your return electronically with the IRS and states. Compare tax filing services.com is run by E-file.com LLC in Ponte Vedra, Florida, in business since 2011, and describes itself as an authorized IRS e-file software provider. The BBB has accredited it since January 2014 with an A+ rating and 19 complaints in the last 3 years. It says it doesn’t sell customer data to third parties.
Don’t confuse it with eFile.com (efile.com, no hyphen), a separate tax site whose homepage now says it is closed. Check the address bar before you sign in or pay.
E-file.com pricing explained
Federal software has three tiers: Free Federal Basic ($0), Deluxe Plus ($29.99) and Premium Plus ($49.99). The site usually advertises a coupon; in October 2026 FED15OFF cut the paid tiers to $25.49 and $42.49. Each state return is $32.99. A pro preparation service starts at $89.95.
You pay when you finish. Paying by card has no extra fee. Choosing to pay from your refund sends the refund through Green Dot Bank and SBTPG, which take the software price plus a $39.99 fee before depositing the rest. If the refund never comes, you still owe the software fee.
Who can file free with E-file.com
The free Basic tier is for single or married filing jointly returns with no dependents, and income from wages, salary, unemployment, taxable scholarships or tips. You’ll need a paid tier if you have taxable interest or dividends over $1,500, adjustments such as IRA contributions or student loan interest, or credits other than the education credit. The free tier still charges $32.99 for a state return.
What customers say about E-file.com
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Simple, step-by-step interview
- Lower prices than the big tax brands
- Free federal filing for simple returns
- Quick replies from support
Common complaints
- Pay-with-refund option adding a fee filers didn't expect
- Finding out late that the return needs a paid tier
- Trouble deleting or exiting some forms and schedules
- Little guidance for less common situations, like online selling
E-file.com complaints and how to avoid them
Most reviews praise the simple interview and price. Complaints focus on the $39.99 pay-with-refund fee, learning late that a return needs a paid tier, and trouble removing forms such as a Schedule C. The form used to report profit or loss from a sole proprietorship or gig work. Compare tax filing services.
- Choose card payment at checkout if you don’t want the $39.99 Refund Transfer fee.
- Check the free tier rules before you start if you have dependents or extra income.
- Look at the total, including state, before you view the PDF or file, since that ends refund eligibility.
- Keep an eye on your spam folder for support replies.
Refunds and closing your account
You can ask for a refund through a support ticket in your account within 90 days of payment, but purchases can’t be refunded once you print the return, view the PDF or file it. An IRS rejection isn’t grounds for a refund; you can fix and resend the return free. You can unsubscribe from emails or ask support to disable your account, but the IRS requires filed return data to be kept for 3 years.
Who should skip E-file.com
If your 2025 AGI. Adjusted gross income: your total income minus certain adjustments, used to set Free File eligibility. Compare tax filing services was $89,000 or less, IRS Free File. A partnership between the IRS and private companies offering free guided software to eligible taxpayers. Compare tax filing services may cost you nothing for federal, and some partners include a free state return. If you want a tax professional to review your return or answer questions live, a brand with expert help add-ons or a local preparer is a better fit. Complex situations such as multiple rentals or a business partnership may need professional help.
Alternatives to E-file.com
-
IRS Free File
Free guided software if your 2025 AGI was $89,000 or less, and Free File Fillable Forms at any income.
-
Cash App
Free federal and state filing with no paid tiers, if you have one state return and a Cash App account.
-
One $89.95 DIY price with state included, so complex returns don't trigger upgrades.
-
TaxAct
Better if you want a larger brand with a published accuracy guarantee and expert help add-ons.
Next steps
E-file.com reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used E-file.com, yours will be the first.
Write a reviewHow do I know I can trust these reviews about E-file.com?
- Every reviewer confirms an email address before a review can publish.
- Our moderators read every review before it publishes.
- Companies can respond publicly but can never edit, hide or remove a review.
- Paying BestGuide never changes the reader rating or which reviews publish.
Frequently asked questions
Can you trust E-file.com?
Yes. E-file.com LLC has operated since 2011, describes itself as an authorized IRS e-file provider, and has an A+ BBB rating with accreditation since 2014.
Is E-file.com really free?
Federal filing is free only on Basic Software, for single or joint filers with no dependents and simple income such as wages and tips. State returns cost $32.99 even on the free tier.
How much does E-file.com cost?
Deluxe Plus is $29.99 and Premium Plus is $49.99 for federal, or $25.49 and $42.49 with coupon FED15OFF in October 2026. Each state return is $32.99.
Is E-file.com the same as eFile.com?
No. eFile.com (efile.com, no hyphen) is a separate site whose homepage says it is closed. E-file.com, with the hyphen, is still operating.
Can I pay E-file.com with my tax refund?
Yes, through a Refund Transfer from Green Dot Bank and SBTPG, which adds a $39.99 fee. Paying by credit or debit card has no extra fee.
Can I get a refund from E-file.com?
You can request one within 90 days, but not after you print, view the PDF or file the return. An IRS rejection doesn't qualify; you can correct and resend free.
Does E-file.com handle self-employment income?
Yes. Premium Plus covers business and personal income, itemized deductions and all credit schedules for $49.99 federal.
How do I contact E-file.com?
Log in and open Help and Support to send a ticket. Basic users get email support; Deluxe and Premium users can also use phone support. The company says it replies within 24 to 48 hours.
What happens if the IRS rejects my E-file.com return?
E-file.com notifies you, and you can correct and retransmit the return free or print and mail it.
Is E-file.com cheaper than TurboTax?
For paid tiers, generally yes. E-file.com's top tier is $49.99 plus $32.99 state, while TurboTax lists up to $139 for its top DIY tier. Compare the total for your own return.
Sources (9)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- E-file.com: Home and pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- E-file.com: How to file free (accessed October 12, 2026)
- E-file.com: Requesting a refund (accessed October 12, 2026)
- E-file.com: Payment options (accessed October 12, 2026)
- E-file.com: Disable your account (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: E-File.com, LLC (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: E-file.com (accessed October 12, 2026)
- eFile.com: closure notice (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: IRS Free File (accessed October 12, 2026)
BestGuide is free to use. Some companies we review pay us when you visit their site or contact them through us. Compensation may influence which companies we feature and their order. It doesn't change what our reviews say. Advertising disclosure