[JadeNB]

> They charge $14.99 for the state filing. Usually a coupon code available. Or go to the state's website (CA at least), and file that for free, too. But for the convenience of not having to input my info again, I'll pay their fee.

Some states don't offer a free-file option. My memory, which is at least a few years out of date, is that MI doesn't.

[bityard]

IIRC, Freetaxusa will walk you through the state taxes and if you look through the UI, you can see the MI forms that it filled out. At that point, you could copy their forms to your own and mail them in yourself, but I've always paid the $15 to have them file it because I feel they've earned it.

[JadeNB]

> IIRC, Freetaxusa will walk you through the state taxes and if you look through the UI, you can see the MI forms that it filled out. At that point, you could copy their forms to your own and mail them in yourself, but I've always paid the $15 to have them file it because I feel they've earned it.

My problem has never been with the filling out the forms—my situation isn't complicated enough for that to be difficult, especially compared with the federal forms; it's with the filing. I just get so annoyed at the refusal of these agencies (like MI's, at least back when I incurred taxes there) to accept something that is surely more convenient for them and for me both, namely for me to file electronically. What do they gain by requiring me to print out and mail them a paper document that they then have to open and scan?