I had mentioned before my elation over not only filing my taxes online, but doing it all by myself. I was also looking for the refund being automatically and electronically deposited into my checking account.

Well, the checking account information I provided is no longer valid. I called H&R Block to ask what I could do to possibly change this information before the IRS attempts the wire transfer. They do not know. Excuse me, "tax professionals," you do not know what to do if you need to change the direct deposit figures? No, they do not. Fucking unbelievable. And to think people let them do their taxes outright and pay for that service, to boot!

Me: Hi, I need to change the direct deposit information for my taxes which I filed 11 February 2003 using your online service. Do you know what I need to file with the IRS in order to accomplish this?

H&R Block "Tax Professional": You filed at HRBlock.com?

Me: Yes, that is correct.

TP: Okay, you need to contact our online help line...

Me: ...right, but I mean is there not just a form I can fill out?

TP: Uh, well... I am not sure. If you filed online, then you need to call our online help number.

She even asked her co-worker who concluded the online help was the way to go. Yeah, well aside from technical issues, the online help is $20.00. Uh, no.

So I called the IRS. Every person when they get on the telephone with you gives you an ID number.

IRS: Thank you for calling the Internal Revenue Service, my name is Bob, 31-09985. How may I help you today?

Me: Yes, I would like to change my direct deposit information from my e-filed taxes. How do I do this?

31-09985: Uh, okay, well let me transfer you to the "Procedures" department where they can tell you exactly why you cannot do that. Please hold.

I shit you not, that is exactly what he said. So I get transferred to the "Procedures" department where another number talks to me. 75-15917 tells me that there is no changing the direct deposit information once they have entered your original submission into their computer. No, instead of being able to change two tiny number strings I have to wait for the wire transfer to fail and get returned to the IRS. Then they will issue me a paper check via post. My refund ETA just went from 25 February 2003 to that plus four (4) weeks.

All this aside, I do highly recommend the H&R Block free e-file programme for anyone. The step-by-step questionnaire was very simple to complete and written for people who are not accountants. The process is free if your adjusted gross income is less than $28,000.00.