• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The College Investor

Student Loans, Investing, Building Wealth

  • About
  • Podcast
  • Research
  • Contact
  • Save For College
      • How To Start

      • How To Save For College
      • How To Pay For College
      • What Is the Average Cost of College?
      • What Is A 529 Plan and Where to Open One in Your State
      • How Much Should You Have In A 529 Plan By Age
      • How To Use A 529 Plan For Private Elementary And High School
      • What Are Qualified Expenses For A 529 Plan (And What Doesn’t Count)?
      • The Best Brokers To Open A 529 Plan
      • Tools + Accounts

      • 529 Plans: The Ultimate College Savings Plan
      • 529 Plan Contribution Limits
      • Prepaid Tuition Plans | What To Know
      • Understanding And Using 529A ABLE Accounts
      • Using A Roth IRA To Save And Pay For College
      • FAFSA Deadlines for Financial Aid
      • CollegeBacker Review
      • Upromise Review
      • UNest Review
      • Other Options

      • Student Loan And Financial Aid Programs By State
      • The Guide To Military And VA Education Benefits
      • How To Fill Out The FAFSA
      • How To Find College Scholarships
      • The Best College Scholarship Search Websites
      • How To Find Grants To Pay For College
      • Pell Grants: What They Are And How To Qualify
      • Understanding Federal Work-Study
      • How To Use A 529 Plan If Your Child Doesn’t Go To College
  • Student Loans
      • Borrowing

        • How Student Loans Work
        • How To Apply For A Student Loan
        • Best Student Loans And Rates In January 2023
        • 10 Best Private Student Loans Of January 2023
        • Best Student Loans To Pay For Graduate School
        • Best Student Loans To Pay For Medical School
        • Parent Loans To Pay For College
        • No-Cosigner Student Loan Options
        • Guide To Income Sharing Agreements (ISAs)
        • Best International Student Loans
      • Get Out Of Debt

        • Best Student Loan Refinance Companies In January 2023
        • Best Student Loan Repayment Plans
        • Best Student Loan Refinancing Bonuses And Promotional Offers Of January 2023
        • Student Loan Forgiveness Programs (The Complete List)
        • The Full List Of Student Loan Forgiveness Programs By State
        • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
        • Top Student Loan Scams
        • Average Student Loan Monthly Payment
        • Average Student Loan Debt By Year
      • Reviews

        • Credible Review
        • Splash Review
        • Ascent Review
        • Citizens Bank Review
        • Commonbond Review
        • Earnest Review
        • ELFI Review
        • Laurel Road Review
        • LendKey Review
        • SoFi Review
  • Investing
      • How To Start

        • How To Start Investing in High School
        • How To Start Investing In College
        • How To Start Investing In Your Twenties For 22 – 29 Year Olds
        • How To Start Investing In Your 30s For 30 – 39 Year Olds
        • How To Start Investing With $100 Or Less
        • How To Give Kids The Gift Of Stock
        • What Is Dividend Growth Investing
        • IRA Rollover Chart
      • Tools + Accounts

        • Best Online Stock Brokers
        • The Best Traditional And Roth IRA Accounts
        • The Best Robo-Advisors
        • The Best Investing Apps
        • The Best Places to Trade Options
        • The Best Places To Open A Health Savings Account
        • The Best Solo 401k Providers
        • The Best Self-Directed IRA Providers Of 2023
        • Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges
      • Reviews

        • Vanguard Review
        • Fidelity Review 2023
        • M1 Finance Review
        • TD Ameritrade Review 2023
        • Charles Schwab Review
        • Robinhood Review
        • Webull Review
        • Betterment Review 2023
        • Wealthfront Review
  • Earn More Money
      • Extra Income

        • 20 Best Side Hustles You Can Start Earning With In 2023
        • 53 Side Hustle Ideas To Make Money Fast
        • 100 Ways To Make Money In College
        • 80 Ways To Make Money From Home In 2023
        • 5 Quick Money Making Ideas (That Take Less Than 1 Hour)
        • 10 Interesting Ways You Can Make Money Driving
        • High-Paying Side Gigs That Earn $1,000 or More Per Month
        • The 10 Best Money-Making Apps
        • Paid Surveys: Earn Money For Giving Your Opinion Online
        • 10 Crazy Ways To Make $10,000 You’ve Never Heard Of
      • Build Wealth

        • 40 Passive Income Ideas You Can Use To Build Wealth In 2023
        • 3 Ways To Make $50,000 Per Year Without Working With Passive Income
        • How To Become A Real Estate Investor With Just $500
        • 15 Best Online Business Ideas
        • Residual Income: 7 Super Smart Ways to Build It
        • The Most Common Multiple Income Streams
        • How To Become A Real Estate Mogul With Only $10,000
      • Reviews

        • Fundrise Review
        • RealtyMogul Review
        • FarmTogether Review
        • AcreTrader Review
        • Swagbucks Review
        • Survey Junkie Review
        • TopCashback Review
        • DoorDash Review
  • Personal Finance
      • Banking

        • 10 Best High Yield Savings Accounts Of January 2023
        • 10 Best Money Market Accounts Of January 2023
        • 10 Best Free Checking Accounts In January 2023
        • Best Bank CD Rates Of January 2023
        • 10 Best Business Checking Accounts In January 2023
        • Best Online Banks Of January 2023
        • Best Credit Unions Nationwide Of January 2023
        • Best College Student Checking Accounts Of January 2023
      • Insurance

        • Best Life Insurance Companies
        • Renters Insurance
        • Car Insurance
        • Pet Insurance
        • Umbrella Insurance
        • Disability Insurance
        • Tuition Insurance
        • Travel Insurance
      • Credit Tools

        • Best Budgeting Apps
        • Cash Advance Apps
        • How To Get A Free Credit Score Report
        • Best Credit Monitoring Services For 2023
        • Debt Settlement: Inside The Secret World
        • Credit Repair Explained: Should You Pay For Help?
        • Best Personal Loan Companies And Lenders
        • Online Loan Companies To Borrow From Home
      • Tax

        • Best Tax Software
        • Free Tax Software
        • IRS Tax Refund Calendar
        • Common IRS Questions and Errors
        • Federal Tax Brackets
        • Capital Gains Tax Brackets
        • 401k Contribution Limits
        • IRA Contribution Limits
        • HSA Contribution Limits
  • Forum
  • Search
Home » Taxes » Best Tax Software » Tax Software Companies » E-File.com Review 2023 – Easy Navigation, But Few Standout Features

E-File.com Review 2023 – Easy Navigation, But Few Standout Features

Updated: January 6, 2023 By Eric Rosenberg

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Email
Print

E-File Review 2023

E-file.com is a DIY tax filing software that should not be confused with eFile. They are totally separate companies with the same name but slightly different spelling. E-file has a hyphen in its website E-file.com, while eFile.com does not. It’s easy to get confused, so keep this in mind if you’re doing comparisons or decide to do a search on your own.

The intuitive guidance and clutter-free interface help filers finish their taxes quickly. Pricing is between mid-tier and premium, with most users paying around $40 to $60 for a federal and state return.

E-file.com easily handles most common tax situations, but real estate investors will find a complex experience. While it’s not a bad software package, we find it lags behind others when going head-to-head with other tax software.

Here’s a closer look at the main features and costs of E-file.com in 2023. Also, be sure to check out how it compares to other leading online tax prep companies in our annual review of the best tax software.

e-File.com logo

Quick Summary

  • Debit cards are designed with kids in mind
  • Parents can set store-specific spending limits
  • Rewards on savings plus the option to add parent-paid interest
GET STARTED

E-File Details

Product Name

E-File Taxes

Federal Price

27.99

State Price

$22.49

Preparation Type

Self-Prepared

Promotions

25% Off With Code 25OFF

Table of Contents
E-file.com - Is It Free?
What’s New In 2023?
Does E-file.com Make Tax Filing Easy In 2023?
E-file.com Notable Features
E-file.com Notable Drawbacks
E-file.com Plans And Pricing
How Does E-File Compare?
Is E-file.com.com Safe And Secure?
How Do I Contact The E-file.com Support Team?
Is E-file.com Worth It?
E-file.com FAQs
E-File Features

E-file.com - Is It Free?

E-file.com has a restrictive free federal filing option, but all users have to pay for state filing. The “Free” option only includes W-2 income and the Rebate Recovery Credit, and only residents of a few states with no required state income tax return would find a truly free experience.

All other credits and deductions (including the Child Tax Credit and HSA contributions) require upgrading to a paid product. Most people won’t qualify for free filing with E-file.com, so it's useful to consider it a paid product. 

Most will pay $27.99 for Deluxe Plus or $49.99 for Premier Plus, and an additional $22.49 per state. (As of this writing, all plans are discounted by 25% on their site with the code 25OFF.)

What’s New In 2023?

The main changes for 2023 will likely focus on IRS tax code updates. However, as of this writing, E-file’s website still has details for last year’s tax season such as headlines about stimulus payments and the pandemic-related Child Tax Credit changes. 

With updated numbers for tax brackets, deductions, and credits, you’ll likely notice many changes across the board with your tax return.

Inside the E-file.com software, you won’t see many major changes from prior years.

Does E-file.com Make Tax Filing Easy In 2023?

E-file.com offers a generally good user experience for filers with simple tax returns. Claiming deductions and credits is fairly simple. Most web-savvy users will find relevant sections and enter information quickly. The clutter-free screens make filing intuitive.

However, filers with investments or self-employment income will likely find that E-file.com is less helpful. Our team couldn’t tell whether they entered information in the correct boxes or not. The depreciation  “wizards” (the feature that guides you through the setup) were also quite confusing as they never showed the amount of depreciation claimed.

Stock and crypto traders must manually enter their trades through long, detailed screens instead of uploading spreadsheets or importing 1099 forms.

E-file.com homepage 2023

E-file.com Features

These are some of the features that set E-file.com apart from mid-priced alternatives.

Guided And Self-Guided Navigation Options

Users can opt for guided or self-guided navigation when using E-file.com. Filers who feel comfortable in a specific section can opt for self-guided navigation in that section while following a guided wizard when unsure how to proceed. Then they can resume a guided option (including questions and answers) for the Deductions or Credits sections.

Supports Multi-State Filing

Filers who earned income in multiple states can file in multiple states. E-file.com charges users on a per-state basis, so this isn’t a particularly great deal.

E-file.com Drawbacks

E-file.com’s notable drawbacks make it less than the ideal product for most filers. These are some of the drawbacks that potential users should understand.

Free Tier Requires Paying For State Filing

E-file.com’s free tier is incredibly restrictive. Filers with children, investments, HSA contributions, unemployment income, student loan interest deductions, and any other major tax situation have to upgrade. 

But worse than that, the Free tier isn’t free. Filers must pay $22.49, including the 25% discount, to file their state return.

No Section Summaries

Many tax programs show section summaries to help filers see their numbers. These help filers determine whether they may have missed a source of income or an important deduction. E-file.com does not have these summaries, which makes filing more difficult, especially for filers with investments.

Confusing Wizards

E-file.com has a few calculators that it calls wizards. The wizards, which can be used for calculating depletion, mileage deductions, or depreciation, were fairly confusing. They didn’t explain where a filer could find certain information and a few were too tax jargon-y and confusing.

Tech Support Requires Payment

Users who want to receive tech support must upgrade to E-file.com’s Deluxe tier. This is tech support only and doesn’t include tax questions.

E-file.com Plans And Pricing

E-file.com pushes a surprising number of people to the “Premium” plan. The Free edition is highly restrictive, as explained above.

The Deluxe tier only supports W-2 income and unemployment income, and a few deductions (including mortgage interest). It also supports the Child Tax Credit but is limited to people with less than $100,000 in income. 

Filers with a higher income, other forms of income, or other deductions or credits to claim, have to upgrade to premium.

How Does E-File Compare?

E-file.com has mid-market pricing, so we’ve compared it to low-cost competitors. On this list, Cash App Taxes offers the best overall user experience, but users may want to use FreeTaxUSA because it supports multi-state filing. 

We don't anticipate filers ever finding a particular reason to use E-file.com over one of these less expensive alternatives.

Header
e-File.com comparison
e-File.com comparison: freetaxusa
e-File.com comparison: taxact
e-File.com comparison: taxslayer

Rating

Stimulus Credit

Free

Free

Free+

Classic+

Unemployment Income

Free

Free

Deluxe+

Free+

Student Loan Interest

Free

Free

Deluxe+

Free+

Import Last Year's Taxes

Free

Free

Free+

Classic+

Snap Pic

of W2

Free

N/A

Free+

Classic+

Multiple States

$22.49 per state

$14.99/state

Not advertised

Free+

Multiple W2s

Free

Free

Free+

Classic+

Earned Income Tax Credit

Deluxe+

Free

Free+

Classic+

Child Tax Credit

Deluxe+

Free

Free+

Classic+

Dependent Care Deductions

Deluxe+

Free

Deluxe+

Classic+

HSAs

Deluxe+

Free

Deluxe+

Classic+

Retirement Contributions

Deluxe+

Free

Free+

Classic+

Retirement Income (SS, Pension, etc.)

Deluxe+

Free

Free+

Classic+

Interest Income

Deluxe+

Free

Deluxe+

Classic+

Itemize

Free

Free

Deluxe+

Classic+

Dividend Income

Premium+

Free

Deluxe+

Classic+

Capital Gains

Premium+

Free

Premier+

Classic+

Rental Income

Premium+

Free

Premier+

Classic+

Self-Employment Income

Premium+

Free

Self-Employed

Premium+

Audit Support

N/A

Deluxe ($7.99)

Not Offered

Premium+

Support From Tax Pros

N/A

Pro Support ($34.99)

Xpert Help Upgrade

Premium+

Small Business Owner (over $5k in expenses)

Deluxe+

Free

Self-Employed

Classic+

Free Tier Price

$0 Fed &
$22.95 State

$0 Fed &
$14.99/State

$0 Fed &

$0 State

$0 Fed &
$0 State

Second Tier Price

$20.99

Deluxe

$7.99 Fed & $14.99/State

Deluxe

$24.95 Fed & $39.95/State

Classic

$19.95 Fed & $39.95/State

Third Tier Price

$37.49

Pro Support
$34.99 Fed &
$14.99/State

Premier

$34.95 Fed & $34.95/State

Premium

$39.95 Fed &
$39.95/State

Fourth Tier Price

N/A

N/A

Self-Employed

$64.95 Fed & $39.95/State

Self-Employed

$49.95 Fed & $39.95/State

Cell
START NOW
READ REVIEW
READ REVIEW
READ REVIEW

Is E-file.com.com Safe And Secure?

E-file.com uses data encryption and multi-factor authentication to keep user information safe. This ensures that the site meets IRS standards. Remember to use a unique password on this and all other sites to keep cybercriminals away from your private information.

E-file.com has never reported major data breaches, so it seems likely that the company upholds high standards for data security. However, no company can guarantee 100% data security. Users should carefully evaluate any tax software provider before opting to use the software.

How Do I Contact The E-file.com Support Team?

This is one area where E-file.com falls short. As mentioned previously, unless you upgrade to at least the "Deluxe" edition, you won't even get access to basic phone and online support. And regardless of your plan, you won't have the option to reach out to tax pros for advice.

Despite the lack of support, most customers on TrustPilot report positive experiences, and the company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

This is likely because E-file tends to attract filers who are comfortable with handling their tax returns on their own. 

But if you're looking for some hand-holding along the way, E-file won't be the right tax software for you.

Is E-file.com Worth It?

While E-file.com has an excellent user interface, the product only works well for filers with relatively straightforward returns. If you fall in this category, you’ll likely be able to find another lower-cost alternative tax software service that works equally well.

But if you have a somewhat complex return, you'll probably want to opt for a more robust alternative. 

For 2023, we recommend that most filers skip E-file.com. Instead, choose the best tax software for your situation.

E-file.com FAQs

Here are the answers to a few of the most common questions that filers ask about E-file.com:

Can E-file.com help me file my crypto investments?

E-file.com supports crypto trades, but it requires filling out a detailed form for each trade throughout the year. Most traders won’t want to spend the time needed to do this. This year, a better alternative is TurboTax Premier.

Can E-file.com help me with state filing in multiple states?

Yes, E-file.com supports multi-state filing. Users must pay $22.49 per state after a 25% discount with coupon code 25OFF.

Does E-file.com offer refund advance loans?

No, E-file.com does not offer refund advance loans in 2023.

E-File Features

Federal Cost

$27.49

State Cost

$22.49

Audit Support

No

W-2 Import

Yes

Brokerage Institutions

No

Self-Employed Income

Yes

Itemize Deductions

Yes

Deduct Charitable Donations

Yes

Customer Service Options

Online and phone support Contact Us page

Customer Service Phone Number

Must upgrade to Deluxe edition for basic phone and online support. This information is not available on their website.

Web/Desktop Software

No

Mobile Apps

No

Promotions

25% Off With 25OFF

E-File.com Review 2023 – Easy Navigation, But Few Standout Features
  • Ease Of Use
  • Customer Service
  • Features And Options
  • Plans And Pricing
Overall
0.5

Summary

E-File is a mid-tier to premium-priced tax software with the ability to easily handle most common tax situations. It’s not to be confused with eFile.com, which is completely different company. 

Pros

  • The intuitive guidance and clutter-free interface help filers finish their taxes quickly.
  • A good way to save if you’re looking for a budget software.

Cons

  • If you own real estate, you may find it to be complex.
  • Most people won’t qualify for free filing with e-File.com.
  • Website is outdated and doesn’t have a lot of information to help users understand what it can do.
  • e-File.com
Eric Rosenberg
Eric Rosenberg

Eric Rosenberg is a financial writer, speaker, and consultant based in Ventura, California. He holds an undergraduate finance degree from the University of Colorado and an MBA in finance from the University of Denver. After working as a bank manager and then nearly a decade in corporate finance and accounting, Eric left the corporate world for full-time online self-employment.

His work has been featured in online publications including Business Insider, Nerdwallet, Investopedia, The Balance, Huffington Post, and other financial publications. When away from the computer, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, traveling the world, and tinkering with technology. Connect with him and learn more at EricRosenberg.com.

E-File.com Review 2023 – Easy Navigation, But Few Standout Features

Editor: Claire Tak

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, or other advertiser and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comment Policy: We invite readers to respond with questions or comments. Comments may be held for moderation and are subject to approval. Comments are solely the opinions of their authors'. The responses in the comments below are not provided or commissioned by any advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any company. It is not anyone's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Subscribe
Connect with
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of

I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Primary Sidebar

Robert Farrington will teach you how to get out of student loan debt and how to start investing.

Hi! My Name is

America's Millennial Money Expert

Welcome to The College Investor. We're here to help you escape student loan debt so you can start investing and building wealth for the future

Our expert guides, reviews, and more are designed to help you achieve your financial goals.

Want to learn more? See what's in my wallet.

As Featured In

Social Media

Popular Posts

Side Hustling

53 Side Hustle Ideas To Make Money Fast

Best Side Hustles

20 Best Side Hustles You Can Start Earning With In 2023

Crazy Ways To Make $10,000

10 Crazy Ways To Make $10,000 You’ve Never Heard Of

Make $50,000 Per Year

3 Ways To Make $50,000 Per Year Without Working With Passive Income

Student Loan Scams

Top Student Loan Scams

Net Worth of Millennials

Average Net Worth Of Millennials By Age

Ways To Get Student Loan Forgiveness

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs (The Complete List)

529 Plan By Age

How Much Should You Have In A 529 Plan By Age

Passive Income Ideas

40 Passive Income Ideas You Can Use To Build Wealth In 2023

Make Money From Home

80 Ways To Make Money From Home In 2023

Ultimate Guides

529 Plan Guide

529 Plans: The Ultimate Guide To College Savings Plans

Student Loans and Financial Aid By State

Student Loan And Financial Aid Programs By State

Student Loan Advice

The Definitive Guide To Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Forgiveness By State

The Full List Of Student Loan Forgiveness Programs By State

newretirement

How to Start Saving Now: The College Graduate’s Guide to Saving for Retirement

Latest Research

How much to file taxes

Tax Survey: How Much People Paid To File And The No.1 Tax Software They Used

Inflation survey

Side-Hustles To The Rescue: Survey Shows 86% Stressed About Money & Inflation

students choose to work survey

75% Of Students Would Still Choose To Work Even If They Didn’t Have To

Institutional Merit Grants

Who Gets Institutional Merit Grants At Private Colleges?

Resume Student Loan Payments

Survey: Even With Higher Expenses, Most Student Loan Borrowers Are Ready To Resume Payments

Footer

Who We Are

The College Investor is an independent, advertising-supported financial media publisher, focusing on news, product reviews, and comparisons.

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Press & Media

About

  • About
  • Our Team
  • Podcast
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • How We Make Money
  • Archives

Social

Copyright © 2023 · The College Investor · Privacy Policy ·Terms of Service · DO NOT Sell My Personal Information

wpDiscuz