I can address your first question/point. There is no extra charge to get your refund. I get Direct Deposit from the IRS every year using the Home & Business Desktop program. In the Desktop program there is a $20 or 25 fee if you want to efile the state return. If you want to have the fee deducted from your federal refund there is an Extra $40 Refund Processing Service charge which you can avoid by paying upfront with a credit card. Or you can print and mail state for free.
There is one screen that can trip you up. Go back through the File tab slowly and see what its charging you for. There is one screen that can trip you up. People get going too fast through the screens and clicking on the bottom right box to continue. But on the pay screen you have click on the Left button to pay by credit card (not the right button).
