Yes, the tax prep industry is a scam. Luckily, you don't have to use it. In my experience (Minnesota), the state return is super easy. Just print out the form,

Yes, the tax prep industry is a scam. Luckily, you don't have to use it. In my experience (Minnesota), the state return is super easy. Just print out the form, copy some values from the federal, do a little 5th grade math, and mail it in. (Personally, I also do my federal taxes manually, with the IRS's Free Fillable Forms. But either way, there's no need to pay for the state forms.)