Tax Return Checkout Steps
How to finish, submit my return? Steps to take during checkout.
When you prepare and e-file your 2022 Taxes, you will need to enter your 2021 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to verify your identity with the IRS. Learn here how you can obtain your AGI from your previous year's tax return. If you do not have a copy of last year's return and/or did not file with eFile.com, you can get a transcript of your prior year return from the IRS.
Before you begin the eFile checkout process, sign into your eFile.com account. Then, follow the steps below - the instructions below contain images that are not interactive, only from inside your account. It may or may not match exactly what's in your account based on your filing status and/or tax situation.
Step 1: While in your eFile.com account, click "File" on the left side of your eFile.com account screen (or click the green "File Now" button).
Step 2: Click one of the buttons to proceed to the next screen or review your tax return before you file it.
Step 3: After the system double checks your return, click the green "Continue Filing" button.
Step 4: After reviewing the next steps, click "Continue Filing".
Step 5: Select the return (or returns) you want to e-file, then click "Continue Filing".
Step 6: Click the "No thanks" button at the bottom to continue e-filing your return.
Step 7: Consent to seeing all tax return preparation payment options by entering your name(s) in the box (or boxes if you have a spouse) shown and clicking the green "Accept" button.
Step 8: Review your tax return preparation fee(s) and select your payment option. If you have a promo code, click the "Have a promo code?" link.
Step 8 (Part 2): Enter the promo code in the white box, click the green "Apply Code" button, and click the green "Continue to Payment" button.
Step 9 (Option 1): Enter your credit or debit card information. Make sure that you enter the correct billing and address information before clicking the green "Pay Now" button. Otherwise, your order will not be processed. After four attempts, there will be a 12-hour processing delay.
Step 9 (Option 2): To select the e-Collect payment option (to deduct the fees from your refund), click the green "I Agree" button on the e-Collect Agreement Screen shown here:
Then, enter the requested information shown below and click "Continue Filing".
Step 10 (Option 1): Select how you would like to receive your refund, then click "Continue Filing". If you are also filing a state tax return, your state refund options will be listed below the "Your Federal Tax Refund" section as shown on this screen:
Step 10 (Option 2): Select how you would like to pay your taxes owed, then click "Continue Filing". If you are also filing a state tax return, your state taxes owed options will be listed below the "Your Federal Taxes Owed" section as shown on the screen below. We recommend you pay your IRS taxes directly at the IRS site as you can better track payment. Direct bank payment transfers or ACH is free. There is processing fee for credit card payments. Visit our guide on how to pay IRS and state taxes.
Step 11 (Option 1): Enter your refund direct deposit information for the bank account where you want your refund deposited, then click "Continue Filing". Your name must be on the account. To split your refund deposit up into 2 or 3 accounts, click the "I'd like to deposit my tax return into separate accounts" link. Double check your entries. Once your return has been accepted by the IRS, you will not be able to change the direct deposit information.
Step 11 (Option 2): Enter your taxes owed direct debit information for the bank account where you want your tax payment to be directly debited by the U.S. Treasury. Then, check the "I Agree" box and click "Continue Filing". Please double check your entries. Once your return has been accepted by the IRS, you will not be able to change the direct debit information.
Step 12: Provide information to your state to verify your identity online if required by your state, then click "Continue Filing".
Step 13 (Option 1): Begin signing your 2022 Tax Return by verifying your identity online with the IRS. If you filed or e-filed a 2021 federal tax return (and/or your spouse if you're married filing jointly) by any method (online, on paper, on another website, or with a tax preparer), then click the green "Yes" button. Continue to Step 14. If you (and/or your spouse if you're married filing jointly) did not file or e-file a 2021 federal tax return, by any method (online, on paper, on eFile.com, on another website, or with a tax preparer), then click the green "No" button. Skip to Step 15.
Step 13 (Option 2): If you filed or e-Filed a 2021 federal tax return (and/or your spouse if you're married filing jointly) via eFile.com, you are given the option to have our software automatically enter the 5-digit electronic signature PIN that you selected to sign your 2021 Return. Click the green "Continue Filing" button if you wish to do this. Skip to Step 15. Otherwise, click the blue link No thanks, I'd like to provide my 2021 adjusted gross income (AGI) to sign my return to enter your AGI (Step 14).
Step 14: If you filed or e-Filed a 2021 tax return last year, enter your 2021 AGI in the white box (or boxes if you're Married Filing Jointly) shown below and click "Continue". You can find it on your 2021 tax return. On the Form 1040, your AGI is on line 11 for 2021 returns, regardless of if you used Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR.
For more AGI help, visit our prior-year AGI page.
Step 15: Answer the question on whether or not you have an Identity Protection PIN (IP-PIN). This 6-digit PIN is assigned by the IRS to victims of attempted identity theft and the number is different from the prior-year AGI you entered to verify your identity with the IRS. If you received an IP-PIN, click "Yes" and continue to Step 16. If you did not receive an IP-PIN, click "No" and skip to Step 17.
Step 16: Enter your IP-PIN in the white box (or boxes if you're married filing jointly), then click "Continue Filing".
Step 17: Electronically sign your return with a self-selected 5-digit PIN. Make up any 5-digit number (except "00000" or "12345") and enter it in the white box. If you're married filing jointly, you'll also need to enter a 5-digit PIN for your spouse. Agree to the Consent to Disclosure by checking the "I have read and agree to these conditions" box and clicking the "Sign Return" button. Once this happens, we will automatically generate a PDF copy of your tax return (which you can find on the "My Account" screen).
Step 18: This is where you actually e-file your return(s). Check the "I'm not a robot" box and click the green "E-file Return" button.
IMPORTANT: Your return(s) will not be e-filed unless you click the "E-file Return" button AND you see the screen in Step 19.
- Optional: If if the "I'm not a robot" box does not display check here.
Step 19: Your return has been e-filed! Click "My Return" on the left side of your account screen to see your e-file status anytime. After clicking continue, we recommend you download a copy of your return.
That's it! Your return has been e-filed. You will receive an email when your return is accepted or rejected by the IRS and/or state tax agency. About 24 hours after your return has been accepted by the IRS and/or state tax agency, you can check the status of your refund.
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