E-file.com Review: Pricing, Tiers, and How It Compares to TurboTax and H&R Block
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E-file.com is a budget-oriented, IRS-authorized e-file provider that's been around for years as a leaner alternative to the big-name tax software brands. It won't win any awards for slick design, but if you have a straightforward return and don't want to pay $80+ to file, it's worth a look. Here's what you actually get, what it costs, and where it falls short.
What E-file.com Actually Offers
E-file.com is a web-based tax prep platform that walks you through federal (and optionally state) return preparation using a guided Q&A interview format similar to competitors. Once your return is complete, you can either e-file directly with the IRS or print and mail it. It supports the common forms most individual filers need — W-2 income, 1099s, itemized deductions, dependents, common credits (Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, education credits), and self-employment income on higher tiers.
Where it differs from the big players: there's no glossy video walkthrough experience, no live CPA video chat add-on, and no AI-driven "expert review" upsell funnel. Support is more traditional — email and ticket-based help, plus a searchable knowledge base. If you want to talk to a live human while you file, this isn't the tool for that.
Pricing Breakdown
E-file.com's pricing is genuinely lower than the major brands, and it's structured in three tiers:
- Free Federal: $0 for federal filing if you qualify — generally single or joint filers under $100,000 in income with relatively simple returns (no itemizing, limited deduction types). State filing is not included free.
- Deluxe Plus: $25.49 (regularly $29.99, discounted with coupon code FED15OFF) plus $32.99 for state filing. Covers itemized deductions, additional credits, and more complex situations than the free tier.
- Premium Plus: $42.49 (regularly $49.99, with the same coupon) plus $32.99 for state. This tier is aimed at self-employed filers, rental property income, and more complex investment situations.
A few things worth flagging: the "regular" prices are already low compared to competitors, and the site frequently runs coupon codes like FED15OFF, so check for an active discount before paying list price. State filing is a flat $32.99 add-on regardless of which federal tier you choose, which is worth factoring in if you're comparing all-in costs — it's not always front-and-center in the marketing.
Who This Is Actually For
- W-2 employees with simple returns who qualify for the free tier and just want to file quickly without paying anything.
- Filers who itemize or claim education/dependent credits but don't need investment or business income support — Deluxe Plus covers this at a fraction of what TurboTax Deluxe charges.
- Freelancers and gig workers with straightforward 1099 income who don't need QuickBooks integration or expense-categorization tools baked into their tax software — Premium Plus handles self-employment income without the premium price tag.
- Price-sensitive filers who don't need hand-holding — if you've filed your own taxes before and just need software to do the math and transmit the return, E-file.com does that job without upselling you at every screen.
It's a poor fit if you want live CPA support, a mobile app experience on par with TurboTax's, or if you have a complicated multi-state, multi-business return where you'd benefit from more robust guidance and error-checking.
How It Compares
| E-file.com | TurboTax | H&R Block | TaxAct | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free federal tier | Yes, under $100k income, simple returns | Yes, very simple returns only (W-2 only) | Yes, simple returns | Yes, simple returns |
| Mid-tier federal price | $25.49 (Deluxe Plus, w/ coupon) | ~$69 (Deluxe) | ~$55 (Deluxe) | ~$49.99 (Deluxe) |
| State filing cost | $32.99 flat | ~$64 | ~$45 | ~$44.99 |
| Self-employed tier price | $42.49 (Premium Plus, w/ coupon) | ~$129 (Premium) | ~$115 (Self-Employed) | ~$79.99 (Self-Employed) |
| Live CPA/expert support | No | Yes (paid add-on) | Yes (paid add-on) | Yes (paid add-on, TaxAct Xpert) |
| Interface polish | Basic, functional | Highly polished | Polished | Moderate |
The gap is most obvious at the mid-tier and self-employed levels — E-file.com's Premium Plus tier is roughly a third of what TurboTax charges for comparable self-employment support, and it undercuts even TaxAct, which has built its whole brand around being the budget option.
Is It Worth It?
If your return is simple enough to qualify for the free tier, there's little downside to trying E-file.com — you're not paying anything to test it, and if it doesn't feel right you can switch before submitting. For itemizers and self-employed filers, the savings versus TurboTax or H&R Block are substantial enough (often $50–90 saved per return once you include state filing) to justify the less polished interface, provided you're comfortable filing without live support.
Where it doesn't make sense: if you've had a complicated tax year — multiple state residency, significant investment activity, or a business with employees — the extra guardrails and support options from TurboTax or H&R Block may be worth the higher price to avoid costly mistakes. For everyone else filing a fairly standard return, E-file.com is a legitimate way to cut your tax prep bill without sacrificing IRS e-file reliability.