# Question about e-filing US tax returns **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 4, 2019, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-e-filing-us-tax-returns/833465 "2019-05-04T12:18:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-e-filing-us-tax-returns/833465/21 "2019-05-06T23:01:55Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > No, everything is free _if you use the specific “free filing” link_. If you accidentally create your account at most of these services without using that link, they can and will charge you, even if your return would otherwise qualify for free filing. [cite](https://www.propublica.org/article/turbotax-deliberately-hides-its-free-file-page-from-search-engines) I created the account through H&R Block years ago, they must have it permanently associated with Free File or something as I get completely free returns by typing [hrblock.com](http://hrblock.com) into address bar. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-e-filing-us-tax-returns/833465/22 "2019-05-07T02:25:24Z")
My brother-in-law found a service through the IRS Free-file page, but he went directly to that service’s home page, created his account, did his taxes, and got presented with a bill for $19.95 before he could file them electronically. He went back to the Free-file page, followed the link to that same provider, created a new account with a different email, did his taxes with the exact same information, and was presented with the option of filing for free. YMMV (I think I know which provider, but I’m not absolutely sure, so I won’t mention names until I have a chance to confirm.) ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-e-filing-us-tax-returns/833465/23 "2019-05-07T06:24:08Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > My brother-in-law found a service through the IRS Free-file page, but he went directly to that service’s home page, created his account, did his taxes, and got presented with a bill for $19.95 before he could file them electronically. He went back to the Free-file page, followed the link to that same provider, created a new account with a different email, did his taxes with the exact same information, and was presented with the option of filing for free. YMMV > > (I think I know which provider, but I’m not absolutely sure, so I won’t mention names until I have a chance to confirm.) Let us know if he remembers. I’ve only used Block and TaxAct, and intentionally avoided anything to do with Intuit. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-e-filing-us-tax-returns/833465/24 "2019-05-07T14:51:28Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I don’t see any efile button. I have printed them out and will mail them in. Then some clerk will be tasked with entering them into a computer file. Maybe they can scan them in. Possibly a foreign address? The IRS site notes there may be issues submitting the free file fillable forms electronically for various reasons, including a foreign address. But if printing it out works, then I suppose you are done for this year anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-e-filing-us-tax-returns/833465.md?page=1)