Is FREE really a free tax return? Do they think you're stupid?
No, of course we don't think you are stupid, and we're pretty sure our competitors don't either... however, when you are constantly hit over the head with all the advertising hoopla about FREE TAX RETURNS, after a while it does start making you feel as if the advertisers think the reader is stupid.
Here are is our philosophical view on the idea of FREE:
What's the Price of Free?
FREE is nothing but an advertising technique, a method of seduction. Most readers who see the word FREE written in big letters are not stupid and they don't believe that they will get something for nothing. At the same time, an irrational part of the human brain would love to believe in FREE and so we go for it.
Some large companies have entire legal departments spend time on trying to use the word FREE so that FREE does not become a legal liability, in other words that promised FREE doesn't become genuinely free.
Could companies like TurboTax and H&R Block pay their employees with only the FREE tax returns they offer their customers? Of course not!
Here's how it works on most tax return preparation websites: if you try the FREE option you will soon find out that you are bombarded with "suggestions" to upgrade every step of the way, often accompanied by promises of better service or a bigger refund... if only you upgrade to one of the paid service options.
You may be told:
"Upgrade now and you will get more help"
"Upgrade now and you will get your maximum refund"
"There is a better version for your tax return, upgrade now"
"Upgrade now and find out how much your refund really could be"
"Get instant, faster help if you upgrade now"
"Buy the Deduction Finder and we will maximize your deductions"
The list of empty promises is endless...
We at efile.com, believe in treating the customer fairly and letting you know exactly what services are included in our FREE version and what you get when you pay for our PREMIUM version. One thing is for sure -- we do not hide any credits or deductions from the users of our free product. And if you do go premium, you don't have to pay for anything until you review your return and are completely satisfied that it is ready to efile.
Is it really Free...?
Our FREE Federal Edition includes all tax forms, credits, and deductions that are eligible for a 1040EZ tax return. If you are eligible to use a Form 1040EZ, our free service will be all you need (find the 1040EZ requirements here). We will not constantly ask you to upgrade. You will get the same service for the FREE edition as you can expect for the PREMIUM edition. If you qualify for the FREE service, your refund will not be less (or more) than it would be with the PREMIUM service. If you start with the efile.com FREE Federal Edition and you do end up requiring an additional form which is not eligible for the FREE Federal Edition you will be automatically upgraded to PREMIUM; however, you only pay once you have reviewed and approved your Tax Return.
At efile.com FREE means free service without being pressured to leave FREE.
We know there are a lot of online tax preparers out there on the web, and we truly appreciate you choosing efile.com!