When is “FREE” really NOT?
“FREE” is one of my favorite words. What’s better than getting something you want for nothing? You can’t go wrong!
But many times a “FREE” offer is misleading. [This gets better. I promise!] 
When you get a FREE offer, your first reaction (if you are older than 6 ) is probably, “What’s the catch?”
Consider these the details of the FREE and Not-So-Free Tax Prep offers from other Tax Sites include:
- Omissions No State or City income tax returns.
- Limitations Missing city taxes or other forms that you need. Only 1 state. Sometimes you need more.
- Constraints Nothing harder than an EZ return. Also, your income must be in a certain range to get their “Deal.” This is discrimination based on income!
- Conditions Need a coupon or must buy something else first such as other software. Also, can’t try before you pay.
- Additional costs Extra cost for state taxes, e-filing the government’s copy, printing a copy for you, filing for an extension, more complicated taxes like when you file as a married couple instead of 2 single persons or you have a business, sold stock, receive Social Security, etc. The large number of exceptions mean that nearly everyone will be paying more than FREE, sometimes a LOT more at the end.
You get the idea. Many times FREE really isn’t. But sometimes, (infrequently), the planets align and what is offered for FREE, even considering all of the omissions, constraints, conditions, and additional costs is actually FREE (rarely) or at least acceptable for our purposes at a particular time.
We always hope for that. And that’s why we are so attracted to FREE! But free isn’t always the best deal.
This post has 7 comments
March 11th, 2010
I found the link to sign in but no link to sign up (new users) for your service.
March 11th, 2010
Does the Big Green button under the 4 red arrows show up for you? Click on the Big Green button to sign up.
And Thanks for using Kwik-E-tax!
March 11th, 2010
Yes. I realized some images were not appearing on my screen. I dragged the cursor around until it changed and at the bottom of the screen I saw the words “new user.”
Thanks. Error was on my part.
March 14th, 2010
If I hadn’t been communicating with you these past several months (year?) I would have avoided this site. I see the word free all over the place AND a dollar amount.
Since I know you (be it online only) I read your explanation of free and uummm, well, was still not very interested in using your service. Just tell my what I’m paying for up front please. My slow connection is what really has me hesitating now.
March 14th, 2010
Beth, Thanks for the feedback.
Kwik-E-tax is free to get started. You can put in all of your data and get your tax returns calculated. You can see what they should look like.
On this page, immediately below the Big Green Button, is full disclosure of the costs. I have never seen any other sites put their prices right on the home page like Kwik-E-tax has done.
If you want to actually FILE your tax returns, THAT’s when the paying starts…and ends! With Kwik-E-tax, multiple states, multiple cities, e-filing, and printing copies of your taxes is included. With nearly ALL OTHER tax sites, these are extra costs.
Beth, what’s a better way to display the prices? Should they not be on the home page? Your thoughts, suggestions, and comments are helping me. I appreciate them. Thank you very much!
March 16th, 2010
Yes, on the homepage, just exactly what you said in the post. “Free to get started” and go to the end before filing. For me tax time is not just entering the info and have it calculated. I need to know I have all the forms I need and where to enter certain amounts. (Such as the excess we withdrew from the HSA to buy the car.)
Also 1040EZ or 1040A $9.95 TO FILE
1 or more states and cities $14.95 TO FILE
Both only $24.90! TO FILE etc.
I’ve never looked at other sites. A local man has been doing ours for years. Now to log in.
March 17th, 2010
When I got to “suggested forms” I wasn’t sure whether to click next or the green pluses. The forms were listed, but were they really THERE in my account? I clicked next and learned they were not. Maybe this note could be added: “The suggested forms are just listed here. Click the green pluses to actually add them to your account.” Or maybe I’m the only one that “doesn’t get it.”