ezTaxReturn.com, a tax filing software, offers users an improved experience in 2020, but the software might not be for everyone, especially if you don't qualify for free file.
Do you have a simple tax return in 2020? If so, ezTaxReturn is a great, FREE, tax software service to consider.
Will ezTaxReturn work for you in this year? Keep reading our ezTaxReturn.com review and see how it compares to the other top tax software options this year.
Quick Summary
- Free for simple filers with AGI less than $100,000
- Excellent navigation and easy to use
- Isn't the best choice for investors or real estate owners
ezTaxReturn - Is it Really Free?
ezTaxReturn offers free Federal tax filing if you meet the requirements for a simple return (which is an AGI of less than $100,000 and some other requirements).
However, you will need to pay $19.95 for a state return, so it may not be free in your specific situation. People with HSA contributions outside of work, student loan interest deductions or dependents won’t qualify for free filing.
ezTaxReturn Pricing
ezTaxReturn has just two pricing tiers. You qualify for free pricing if you have a simple return (see below). Everyone else has to use the higher priced tier.
To qualify for the “free” simple filing you must meet all of the following characteristics:
- Your filing status must be single or married filing jointly.
- You don't claim any dependents.
- Your income comes from your salary, wages, tips, and/or unemployment compensation.
- You don't claim any credits other than the Earned Income Tax Credit.
- Your taxable interest is less than $1,500.
- Your taxable income is under $100,000.
- You don't claim any adjustments to income.
If you do have to pay, and you need to file a state income tax return, the "combined" price does save you a bit of money.
Simple | Paid | |
|---|---|---|
Best For: | People with a basic tax situation in some states* | Everyone Else |
Federal: | $0 | $29.95 |
State: | $19.95 | $19.95 |
Combined: | $19.95 | $39.95 |
*ezTaxReturn supports the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin.
ezTaxReturn.com Navigation
In 2020, ezTaxReturn impressed testers with the massively improved navigation.
ezTaxReturn now offers a fully guided return process, using a question and answer style interface. The question and answer screens tend to be simple and uncluttered, making navigation very easy.
The navigation would rival some of the best in the business, but the interface itself seemed to be frustratingly slow. When you’re used to nearly instant load times, any lag can make a software service seem slow.
ezTaxReturn.com Ease Of Use
While the ezTaxReturn navigation is massively improved, the ease of use still lags the market. Users cannot import forms (such as W-2 or 1099-INT forms) to save time.
Landlords and self-employed people who need to claim depreciation expenses might be better served by other tax software. The software doesn’t have a depreciation calculator, so users would need to calculate these expenses on their own. See our list of the best tax software for landlords.
EzTaxReturn supports the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin.
ezTaxReturn.com Knowledge Articles
ezTaxReturn includes lots of relevant articles at each step of the filing process. If you’ve got questions, the linked article will probably provide a concise answer to it. However, users cannot search a database of knowledge articles from the software itself.
ezTaxReturn Extras
ezTaxReturn is a no-frills tax software package. However, it does include U.S. based tech support. Customer support is available by email and telephone (for telephone, you submit inquiry, and they call you back).
You can buy audit support for $39.95 which is more expensive than most companies.
Can ezTaxReturn Help Me With My Crypto Investments?
ezTaxReturn does not offer special guidance on filing crypto trades. However, it does have all the necessary forms for filing. If you’ve traded virtual currency this year, TurboTax is probably the best software for you.
ezTaxReturn Security
ezTaxReturn has multi-factor authentication in place. Users can choose to set up their second factor via email or text message.
Who Should Use ezTaxReturn.com In 2019-2020?
In 2020, ezTaxReturn impressed with improved navigation, but the software still isn’t going to be for everyone.
The cost combined with the lack of depreciation calculators make other systems better in most circumstances.
Users looking for the top ease of use should consider TurboTax or H&R Block. TaxSlayer offers excellent extras and a great use experience, and Credit Karma Tax offers free filing.
Not sure which software meets your needs? We’ve got you covered with recommendations for software based on your filing situation.
ezTaxReturn.com Review
- Navigation - 60
- Ease Of Use - 60
- Features And Options - 70
- Customer Service - 80
- Plans And Pricing - 80
Overall
Summary
ezTaxReturn is a great free tax return option for EITC filers and other simple returns.
Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him here and here.
He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared towards anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.
He has been quoted in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, ABC, NBC, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.
Been using eztaxreturn.com for eight years now and they’ve always been reliable. I don’t qualify for the 1040EZ but $39.95 isn’t too bad for filing both my state and federal returns. Plus my info is on file from previous years, so it’s quick and easy.
How are you able to reach them by phone my return was rejected and it doesn’t explain how to fix it.
Paid 29.95 just before being told the IRS would not accept return. Due to a death I have no method of getting the information needed. They would be happy to help me complete a paper file though. I will admit to being frustrated as I was lured to the site with promise of free filing. Then to have to pay before filing was accepted seems purposely shady though my situation might be unique. Learn from my loss and go with a more reputable company. They did get back to me quickly when I asked for help, though it was not the answer I wanted. Decent enough customer service.
Brandon: There is no 1040-EZ; it was eliminated.
ezTaxReturn.com
https://eztaxreturn.com/freefilealliance
Receive a free Federal return if:
Your Adjusted Gross Income is $66,000 or less, AND you live in any of these states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IL, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, VA or WI, AND
Any Age
been using eztax return for about 5 years
very satisfied it’s easy and returns and refunds are fast