cspraags,
I can certainly understand your frustration. I wish all tax returns went smoothly. Sigh...
First of all, don't panic. When you are due a refund, you have up to three years to file your return without penalty. That said, there are some items to cover here:
(a) Your $80 payment is truly for the preparation of a correct state tax return and not for electronic filing. While I happen to have the experience and skills to prepare my own returns, there are quite a few gotchas with state income tax and it can be well worthwhile to have it calculated correctly. In short, whether you print and mail or electronically file, the $80 was for the preparation of the return. In any event, do print a hardcopy (or save a PDF) of your tax return!
(b) The fact that you are getting a duplicate filing is, to me, very, very concerning as it may well be a sign that some crook has stolen your tax identity and filed in your name for a false refund. Please, please call the state tax agency and ask them to assist in making that determination and, if it was identify theft, correcting the issue.
(c) As I mentioned in (a), once step (b) is taken care of, and assuming your legitimate return was not actually filed inadvertently, you have the option to print and mail your state return. In many states you can also enter the numbers from your printed tax return directly into the state tax agency website instead of mailing the return.
