I was somewhat blindsided by the required payment to e-file the state return. They were not forth-coming in that regard, but in hind-sight clearly hid that fact and did not make it easy to back out and avoid. The state of Michigan seems to be in bed with them encouraging e-filing.
Also, the clues when my e-file was rejected were not entirely correct. It wasn't that I hadn't filed 2019, but that I had mailed them some weeks ago and they are likely languishing in some warehouse so had to zero out the 2019 income amount.
The phasing out of media sales (DVD) also runs up the price so I will be looking at other options for 2021.
THIS YEAR WAS AN EXCEPTION. i HAVE BEEN USING THIS SOFTWARE SINCE IT WAS TAX CUT AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAM. UNTIL THIS YEAR 2020. tHIS YEAR WHEN I FILED THE SOFTWARE SAID MY FEDERAL RETURN HAD BEEN TRANSMITTED. WHEN i WENT TO CHECK THE RETURN STATUS FIVE DAYS LATER IT STATED THAT THE RETURN HAD NOT BEEN SUBMITTED YET. OUCH.