[bnabholz]

This is free filing with "trusted partners," but the IRS also has their Free File Fillable Forms (not open yet) which have no income limit. The UI is a little rough, but matches the official IRS forms.

I got mad enough paying H&R Block a couple years ago and decided to download the fillable PDFs and do it manually. It was a good learning experience. Since I'm filling out the PDF forms anyway I wish I could just upload those to FFFF, instead of having to re-enter everything manually.

Still it's better than my state (Indiana) where I can't file online without a third party. It does bring me some satisfaction that I fill out the PDF forms, print them, mail them to the state, and someone gets to (probably) type it all back in to a computer. Efficient.

[beej71]

I've been using free fillable forms for years. Luckily my state also uses them. One year they didn't and I filed paper (by filling out PDFs, as well), and wrote a letter to the department of revenue promising to file paper returns every year they didn't have a free efile option.

And the next year they brought it back. Because of me, I'm sure. ;)

But until the IRS has full service online, I'm not paying a third party out of principle. The only time I shell out is if it gets too complex, and then I pay an accountant.