Here in the state of Virginia, we never had return-free filing for state taxes. But we did have free online filing of state tax returns. It was cheaper for the

Here in the state of Virginia, we never had return-free filing for state taxes. But we did have free online filing of state tax returns. It was cheaper for the state to process the online returns rather than paper forms. However, the legislature decided that it wasn't proper for the state government to provide for free a service that should be provided by private enterprise. So now your choices are to file paper forms (which costs the state more to process) or file electronically, which, of course, costs you, the taxpaer, money. . .but is quite a boon for private enterprise.