EZTaxReturn.com Review 2018 – Overpriced And Glitchy

ezTaxReturn.com Navigation

EZTaxReturn allows users to choose between self-guided or question and answer style navigation options. The question and answer style navigation was excellent, but I could not “toggle” between the two options easily. 

The self-guided navigation should have been pretty easy to figure out. After all, EZTaxReturn has an easy to understand header with dropdown menus. The problems came when I tried to navigate to a different section of the software and the tax software wanted me to complete my course of action. For example, I tried to check on some expense for my business. I had to go through several screens before reaching the expenses screen, and then I had to go through several more screens before I was allowed to move on.

Annoyingly, users were even required to view every line on summary sections (which often had multiple pages) before moving on.

The help section (called contact) had a few helpful navigation tips, but these were for sections that were obvious within the software anyhow.

EZTaxReturn.com Ease Of Use

My biggest issue with EZTaxReturn.com wasn’t actually the navigation though. Rather, I found the software glitchy. When I entered my son’s information, I couldn’t get him added as a dependent. I must have answered some question erroneously, but when I tried to fix it the social security number became “locked.”

I also found that hitting the back button often yielded long waits before the software moved back several screens. This was an intermittent glitch.

Worse than these glitches, EZTaxReturn.com unapologetically doesn’t support important tax details. For example, users can’t depreciate rental properties, support wash sales for taxes, or allow for Dependent care tax credits if one parent is a non-income earning student.

Finally, I was annoyed by the fact that EZTaxReturn often doesn’t allow special characters (including periods) in addresses and other parts of the return.

When you combine all these factors with a software that doesn’t allow any imports, you’ve got a tax software system that is more than a decade behind the times.

EZTaxReturn.com Knowledge Articles

When you hit the “Contact” button on the top of the software, you’ll be directed to a tax knowledge library and an email contact form. The knowledge library mostly contains “how to” directions on using the software and doesn’t help people learn about maximizing deductions or understanding the tax code.

While how to articles are better than nothing, it would be helpful to have more helpful articles.
However, EZTaxReturn.com has several short form knowledge articles scattered throughout the software itself. These articles include basic definitions that are truly helpful. Unfortunately, I thought there weren’t enough articles for users to find help in the most complex sections.

EZTaxReturn.com Plans And Pricing

EZTaxReturn claims to offer one pricing plan, but in fact they offer two plans. 1040EZ filers can get free federal and state return. Everyone else will pay $39.95 for a Federal/State combo, or Federal Only for $29.95. 

Interestingly, EZTaxReturn.com also offers a $19.95 state only filing option.

Users can also purchase audit assistance for $39.95. This is higher than some software companies but in line with TurboTax’s offering this year.

Who Should Use EZTaxReturn.com In 2018?

With high prices and a difficult to use software, most people should avoid EZTaxReturn.com in 2018.