As I noted, I am somewhat new to this so I have some basic questions.

The IRS wants/requires everyone to efile.

How would a mom and pop efile a return they prepared on their kitchen table? 

Are there not services out there designed to facilitate efiling?

In pursuit of its goal, I would think the IRS would encourage a system to efile other people's returns without burdening the e-filer with penalties meant for a preparer or requiring the e-filer to "review" the return for other than e-file compatibility diagnostics. 

Leaning in this direction might suggest the IRS wants/requires everyone to engage a paid preparer.

That just seems a little draconian.