H&R Block
Product Name: H&R Block
Product Description: H&R Block offers both online and in-person tax prep. You can file online and ask tax questions, have your return reviewed by an expert, or have your entire return prepared by a tax pro.
Summary
H&R Block offers both online and in-person tax filing. The free plan includes state returns, and pricing for paid plans is competitive. All paid plans include access to a tax expert, although the answers may be AI. You can also have your return prepared by a tax pro.
Pros
- Free option includes state returns
- All paid plans include access to a tax expert
- In-person access to tax pros
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Tax assistance may be AI
- Audit defense only available if taxes are prepared by an expert
- Cannot auto-import from every bank or discount broker
- Can be more expensive than discount tax software
Imagine if doing your taxes was easy and inexpensive, and when you were finished, you felt confident they were done correctly.
Well, H&R Block offers several options that do exactly that. You can file online or get in-person assistance with a tax pro.
The last thing you want is to pay for features you don’t need or to have lingering doubts that you didn’t do your taxes correctly.
They aren’t the cheapest, but H&R Block has been doing taxes since 1955. This H&R Block review can help you decide if “Block” is the best tax software for you.
At a Glance
- Do your taxes yourself online, or upgrade to having them done in person at your local H&R Block office.
- Free version includes state returns.
- All paid plans include tax assistance, but that assistance may be AI.
- You can upgrade your DIY plan to include having your return reviewed by a tax pro.
Who Should Use H&R Block?
H&R Block is a good option for these tax situations for those who qualify for the free version, as state returns are included. It’s also good for those who may want to upgrade to an in-person experience. Few online tax software have the option to meet in person with tax pro.
However, if you are looking for the cheapest possible option, H&R Block is not for you.
H&R Block Alternatives
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| DIY Pricing | $0 to $89 for federal $0 to 39 for state |
$0 – $22.95 for federal $0 – 39.95 for state |
$0 for federal $14.99 for state |
| Access to a tax pro | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full Service available | Yes | No | No |
| Learn more | Learn more | Learn more |
Table of Contents
- At a Glance
- Who Should Use H&R Block?
- H&R Block Alternatives
- H&R Block Online Prices
- H&R Block Free Online
- H&R Block Deluxe
- H&R Block Premium
- H&R Block Self-Employed
- File with a Tax Pro Option
- Tax Pro Review
- Tax Assistance
- Audit Assistance
- Other Key Features of H&R Block
- Live Tech Support
- Tax Refund and Payment Options
- W-2 Snapshot
- Auto-Import
- Deduction Calculator
- MyBlock Mobile App
- Spruce Card
- Refund Advance Loan
- Refund Transfer
- Online Document Access
- Expat Tax Tools
- Is H&R Block Easy to Use?
- H&R Block Guarantees
- Customer Support
- Is H&R Block Expensive?
- Is H&R Block a Good Place to Do Taxes?
- H&R Block Alternatives
- Summary
H&R Block Online Prices
There are several ways to file your taxes online using H&R Block. All returns start at the Free Online level. The return upgrades to one of the three paid tiers as your taxes become more complex. Below is an overview of how much H&R Block costs with its four filing options.
Also, it’s possible to get tax expert assistance with any plan. Unlimited help from a tax pro is available on all free plans. H&R Block uses both AI and humans to answer tax questions.
- Federal return cost: $0
- State return cost: $0
The H&R Block Free Online package lets you file one federal and one state tax return for free. This version is for simple, non-itemized tax returns that earn W-2 income but not self-employment income.
Supported Tax Situations
Below are some of the most common tax situations you can file for free:
- W-2 income
- Unemployment income (Form 1099-G)
- Dividends and Distributions (Form 100-DIV)
- Social Security income
- Retirement income
- Interest income
- Earned Income Credit (EITC)
- Child Tax Credit
- Student loan interest deduction (1098-E)
- Tuition and fees statement (1098-T)
Is H&R Block Free Online Really Free?
A surprising number of semi-complex tax returns can qualify for Free Online. But H&R Block charges a fee for these tax situations:
- Itemized tax returns
- Health Savings Account
- Investment gains or losses
- Earn rental property income
- Earn self-employment income
So, you won’t need to pay to file if your daily wages report on a W-2 form and you earn bank interest and stock dividends. However, you will pay if you sell stock shares – even if it’s only one share.
You will also need to upgrade to a paid plan if you want live phone or chat support. You will also not have ongoing access to your return after you file. Paid versions will store the return for six years.
Special Features
The Free Online edition is the most barebones version of H&R Block that doesn’t include many assistance tools. However, if you have a simple return, access to the powerful tool suite isn’t necessary.
H&R Block offers several tools that make filing your taxes quick and easy:
- W-2 Snapshot
- Auto-import last year’s tax return (even if you didn’t use H&R Block)
- Real-time refund updates
The W-2 Snapshot tool prevents data input errors. You can use your phone to take a picture of your W-2 income tax forms, and H&R Block uploads the information to calculate your potential refund.
You can import your end-of-year tax documents for free depending on which bank and investing apps you use.
You will not be able to speak with a tax professional or get audit assistance on the free plan.
H&R Block Deluxe
- Federal tax return: $35
- State tax return: $37
If you itemize or have a Health Savings Account (HSA) will use the H&R Deluxe filing option.
Qualifying Tax Situations
The Deluxe version covers everything in the Free version and these additional common qualifying tax situations:
- Itemized federal tax returns
- Home mortgage interest
- Real estate taxes
- Basic freelancer and self-employment income
- Child and dependent care expenses
Those who earn independent contractor income reported on IRS Tax Form 1099 can use the Deluxe filing option. However, they will not be able to take deductions for expenses. For example, a virtual assistant who works from home may have income from this job but no expenses.
Those who have business expenses will need to upgrade to the Premium option. Say, the virtual assistant from above purchased a computer to use for work, or they want to take a home office deduction, they would have to upgrade to the Premium version.
H&R Block Premium
- Federal tax return: $65
- State tax return: $37
H&R Block Premium includes everything in Deluxe, but also includes investment income, rental property income, and small business expenses.
Qualifying Tax Situations
- Report stock, bonds, and other investment income (Schedule D)
- Crypto sales
- Rental property income (Schedule E)
Advanced Calculators
H&R Block lets you use a calculator during the tax interview. These calculators help you tabulate your taxable income and deductions from selling assets or earning side hustle income.
These calculators help you factor in tax situations like a home sale, gift and inheritance assets.
Import Investments to H&R Block
If you’ve sold investments in the past, reporting your transaction details can be quite time-consuming.
Many investing apps integrate with H&R Block as it’s one of the most popular tax software, which means you don’t have to type in your transactions manually – saving time and decreases your risk of errors.
You can look for import tools from H&R Block or directly from your broker or bank.
H&R Block Self-Employed
- Federal tax return: $85
- State tax return: $37
Small business owners will need to choose the Self-Employed package.
H&R Block walks you through the self-employment tax interview to find industry-specific deductions.
Other standard features include:
- Deduct small business expenses
- Track expenses, mileage, and receipts all year
- Calculate depreciation
File with a Tax Pro Option
- Starts at $89
If you want help from a human tax professional you’ll need to select the option to file with a tax pro. You can meet with your tax pro virtually or in person.
Exactly how much you’ll pay will depend on the complexity of your tax situation. Spending the extra money can be worth the time savings and additional peace of mind.
With this option, you gather your tax documents and an H&R Block tax pro prepares your return. You can review the return before they file.
Tax Pro Review
You can upgrade any plan, including the free plan, to include having your return reviewed by a tax expert before filing. The price for this ranges between $55 and $95, depending on which plan you are upgrading.
After you have completed your return, you can submit it to an expert who will look for errors or missed opportunities. Once complete, the expert will sign and submit your return.
Tax Assistance
With all paid plans, you will have unlimited tax assistance. It uses both AI and human tax pros to answer tax questions. This can help you with things like information about tax forms, tax changes, guidance with the software, and questions related to tax prep.
Audit Assistance
You can purchase Peace of Mind audit assistance to receive audit defense for the life of your tax return. This means that if you get a letter from the IRS, an enrolled agent can represent you. They will do more than just answer questions, they can send letters or even represent you in court if needed.
Other Key Features of H&R Block
Here are some of the key features of using H&R Block:
Live Tech Support
Live chat and phone support is standard with the three paid filing options. This service provides technical help to navigate the H&R Block platform but not tax advice.
Tax Refund and Payment Options
Paying H&R Block by credit card or debit card is the best option to avoid extra fees. If you can’t swing the cost of filing right now, paying with your tax refund is possible, but that costs an additional $39.
H&R Block offers these options to receive your refund:
- Direct deposit
- Paper check
- Spruce card
If you need a place to receive a direct deposit but can pay for your return at the time of service consider the Spruce Card refund option. You will receive a pre-paid debit card where your return will be deposited when it is issued from the IRS. You can even get it up to six days early.
There are no additional fees for the Spruce card.
W-2 Snapshot
You can use the H&R Block Tax Prep and File mobile app to take pictures of your W-2 to upload the tax form boxes automatically.
This feature has been around for several years and used to only be available for the paid versions. It’s now available for all H&R Block users, including Free Online.
Auto-Import
H&R Block can auto-import last year’s tax return from any tax software or local tax preparer. You simply need to upload a PDF of the return and H&R Block fills out the basic information for this year’s tax season.
It’s also possible to import brokerage and bank tax forms directly to H&R Block. Many brokers and banks integrate with H&R Block. However, TurboTax appears to have more auto-import capabilities.
Deduction Calculator
When filing an itemized return and you deduct charity donations, the H&R Block Deduction Calculator can be useful. You can use this calculator to determine the value of your physical donations and cash donations.
MyBlock Mobile App
There are two H&R Block mobile apps. The first app, H&R Block Tax Prep and File, is for preparing and filing the tax return. You also use this app for the W-2 Snapshot.
Depending on which ongoing H&R Block features you use, you can download the MyBlock mobile app.
The MyBlock app offers these features:
- Upload business receipts during the year
- Track charity donations
- Access prior-year tax returns
- Manage H&R Block Emerald Card balance
- View personal credit score
- Manage Tax Identity Shield membership
This app can make preparing for next year’s tax season easier as you store your tax details in real-time using the virtual tax organizer.
Spruce Card
The H&R Block Spruce Card is a reloadable prepaid debit card that can be a good option if you don’t have a bank account to receive a tax refund. There are no fees, and you can get one at a local H&R Block office or request one when filing online.
In addition to receiving a tax refund, the Spruce Card can also receive payroll, stimulus check and unemployment benefits. Cardholders can load checks and cash but fees may apply.
Refund Advance Loan
If you file with a tax pro, you can receive a tax refund advance of up to $3,500. H&R Block issues the refund as a 0% APR loan with no fees, allowing you to get your tax refund up to 21 days sooner. The proceeds can be sent to an Emerald Card or a Spruce account, you can’t get the funds sent to a bank account but you can transfer the funds by check or ACH (once) from an Emerald Card or Spruce account for no fee.
Refund Transfer
If you can’t pay your tax prep fees upfront, you can pay an extra $39 for a Refund Transfer fee. H&R Block withholds the $39 payment plus the additional prep fees from the refund balance. The remaining balance is deposited into a temporary bank account.
Online Document Access
The three paid filing options also include six years of online access to prior-year returns.
The Free Online addition provides limited future online access after the next tax season starts.
Expat Tax Tools
H&R Block can help expatriates file their United States tax returns. It’s possible to file by yourself or hire an advisor. Filing fees start at $99.
Is H&R Block Easy to Use?
Is H&R Block easy to use? The answer is “yes” for most who use computers or mobile apps regularly.
The web platform or mobile app can be easier to navigate than most discount tax software as H&R Block due to the extensive interview process and auto-import tools.
However, TurboTax continues to be a little easier to use yet both programs produce the same results and H&R Block can be cheaper in more instances.
The paid options have live chat and phone support to resolve technical difficulties.
H&R Block Guarantees
100% Accuracy Guarantee – H&R Block reimburses up to $10,000 in penalties and interest if their software makes a calculation error.
Maximum Refund Guarantee – If you find a calculation error, H&R Block lets you file an amended return for free and will reimburse you for the fees you paid to process your original return. You will need to discover this error and show it to H&R Block.
No Surprise Guarantee – You can get 20% off next year’s tax prep fees if H&R Block fails to provide any of these four benefits:
- Upfront transparent pricing
- Transparent process
- Free audit assistance
- Free mid-year care check-in
Customer Support
H&R Block has an extensive knowledge base of tax questions and technical support questions. If you run into tax problems, start by referencing this database to see if it has what you need.
For additional help, phone and live chat support are available. Their phone support can be reached at 1-800-472-5625 from 7 AM – 10 PM Central Time, Monday to Sunday. Online chat support is available from 7 AM to Midnight, Monday to Sunday.
Is H&R Block Expensive?
Like most online tax prep software, H&R Block offers a free tax filing option for simple tax returns. Not all companies offer a free state return, however. So, if you qualify for the free version, that will obviously be the least expensive way to go.
For the paid plans, H&R Block has competitive pricing for federal and state tax returns. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s also not the most expensive. It’s a few dollars cheaper than its main competitor, TurboTax. Here’s a comparison of H&R Block vs TurboTax, head-to-head
If you want to spend the least amount of money possible, a platform like FreeTaxUSA is better from a price perspective. It has bargain pricing for federal and state tax returns.
Is H&R Block a Good Place to Do Taxes?
If you want in-person tax assistance, H&R Block is a strong option. You most likely have an H&R Block office near you. You can start your return online, and if it gets too complicated, you can switch over and speak to a local tax pro. That’s not something you can do with other software.
H&R Block Alternatives
TurboTax
TurboTax has the same three levels of service as H&R Block; you can do your taxes yourself, you can add on tax assistance with a tax expert, or you can have your taxes done by completely by a tax pro.
TurboTax doesn’t use AI for their tax assistance, so you can be assured you’re talking to a human. However, you also can’t meet your tax expert in person like you can with H&R Block. So, which service is better depends on what features you plan on using.
TurboTax’s free plan includes one state. The DIY plan goes up to $89 for federal and $39 for state returns. Assisted returns are between $49 and $169, and Full Service starts at $89.
Here’s our full Turbo Tax review to learn more.
TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer offers do-it-yourself services and you can add on tax assistance if desired. The free plan includes one state return and can process simple tax returns. The Classic plan covers all tax situations and is only $22.95 for federal and $39.95 for state.
If you want to speak to a tax expert, you’ll need to upgrade to the Premium plan for $42.95 for federal returns and $39.95 for state. $20 to speak to an expert is quite reasonable.
There is no option to have a professional prepare your taxes on your behalf.
Here’s our full TaxSlayer review for more information.
FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA has one plan that covers all tax situations, and it’s free to file your federal return and $14.99 for each state return. You can add on access to a tax pro for $39.99.
You can also upgrade to the Deluxe version for $7.99 which gives you access to support via chat and unlimited amended returns.
Here’s our full FreeTaxUSA review for more information.
Summary
H&R Block is a reliable tax software and is great for those who may want to speak to a tax professional in person. An above-average amount of simple tax returns can file for free and the free version includes one state return. So it’s possible to file for completely free if you qualify.
Having add-on tax expert access for personalized advice is another positive for those who prefer hands-on help.
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Which tax software to choose depends on your specific situation. If you have a simple return in only one state you can likely get your taxes done for free with TurboTax or Cash App Taxes. But if things are more complicated or you want live help from a tax expert then you’ll want an upgraded package as you can find with H&R Block.
About Josh Patoka
After graduating in $50k with student loans in May 2008 from Virginia Military Institute with a B.A. International Studies and Political Science with a minor in Spanish (he studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain for 3 months), Josh decided to sell his soul for seven years by working in the transportation industry to get out of debt ASAP and focus on doing something else with a better work-life balance.
He is a father of three and has been writing about (almost) everything personal finance since 2015. You can also find him at his own blog Money Buffalo where he shares his personal experience of becoming debt-free (twice) and taking a 50%+ pay cut when he changed careers.
Today, Josh relishes the flexibility of being self-employed and debt-free and encourages others to pursue their dreams. Josh enjoys spending his free time reading books and spending time with his wife and three children.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank or financial institution. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
