H&R Block Reviews, Pricing, and Features in 2021

H&R Block is an online tax preparation service that helps you file your own tax returns online or file with a tax professional in an office or virtually. Its features include W-2 import, refund transfer, a tax calculator, a tax preparation checklist, and multiple guarantees. You can file simple federal and state returns for free or choose from its paid packages with prices that start at $49.99 per federal return, plus $36.99 per state.

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What We Recommend H&R Block For

H&R Block is an ideal choice if you are looking for inexpensive packages and bundles to file your individual and business taxes. It gives you the option to get started online and then switch to in-person filing if needed. Its paid tiers cater to different tax situations, and it’s a good choice if you want to try its unique features, multiple guarantees, and on-demand help from a tax professional.

H&R Block Is Especially Good For

• Businesses looking for an inexpensive way to file corporate and partnership returns: With H&R Block’s desktop software, you can file partnership and C corporation and S corporation federal tax returns for only $89.95.
• Filers seeking to bundle individual and business returns: Whether your business is a partnership or corporation, the Premium & Business software includes everything you need to file both your personal and business tax returns.
• Best for taxpayers wanting desktop software: With its desktop software, you can prepare as many returns as you like and e-file five of them for no additional cost.
• Individuals and businesses who need the help of a tax professional: H&R Block offers an assisted service, where a tax professional will file for you.

H&R Block Is Not a Good Fit For

• Professional tax preparers: If you are a tax professional working for multiple clients, H&R Block isn’t for you as you cannot sign as a paid preparer. You can check out our review of the best tax software for tax preparers instead.
• QuickBooks Self-Employed users: If you use QuickBooks Self Employed to keep your books, you can purchase TurboTax as a bundle and transfer your business income and expenses automatically.

Are you looking for something different? Read our article on the best small business tax software. In this guide, we looked at a variety of solutions and narrowed our recommendations down based on the price of preparing the typical bundle of returns required by most business owners.

H&R Block Pros and Cons

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H&R Block Pricing

H&R Block’s online software includes a free edition for simple returns as well as three paid packages with prices that range from $49.99 to $109.99 per federal return, plus $36.99 per state. If you need the help of a tax pro, its Online Assist version starts at $69.99 per federal return. If you prefer desktop software, you can choose from four tiers with prices ranging from $29.95 to $89.95 for unlimited returns, although you may have to pay extra for e-filing additional returns.

Online Preparation and Filing

Free Online

The free plan is best for renters, students, and W-2 employees. It includes W-2 photo capture and easy import, and it supports Form 1095 (A and B), 1098 (E and T), and 1099 (B, DIV, INT, and R). While you have access to the software’s help center, you do not get live customer support.

Deluxe

This plan is for you if you have mortgage interest, real estate taxes, or health savings account (HSA) contributions. It gives you access to all the features of the free option, plus access to live phone or chat support, and its unique DeductionPro tool, which helps you optimize charitable donations.

Premium

If you’ve sold stocks, bonds, or other investments that must be reported on Schedule D, you’ll need the Premium edition. In addition to all of the features in Deluxe, Premium also helps you claim rental income and deductions on Schedule E and import expenses from your favorite expense tracking applications, such as Stride.

Self-Employed

Get this plan if you own a business that reports on Schedule C. It includes everything in Premium, plus the ability to claim all small business expenses, including asset depreciation. If you are an Uber driver, this plan also allows you to import your tax information directly from Uber.

Online Assist

Each online package includes an Online Assist version with live tax pro support, which gives you unlimited access to live tax experts with share-screen and on-demand chat or video. You can file your returns at an office or virtually.

Desktop Software

Basic

If you are an employee or a parent who needs simple federal filing, then Basic is for you. It includes features like drag-and-drop importing of prior-year returns, photo uploads, and free in-person audit support.

Deluxe + State

This product suits you if you are an investor or a homeowner who wants to maximize tax deductions, such as your charitable donations and home mortgage interest, and report investment income. This plan also includes everything in Basic.

Premium

If you are a self-employed individual, a freelancer, an independent contractor, or a rental property owner, Premium has the tools you need to manage your taxes. Get Premium if you have income reported on Form 1099-MISC or Form 1099-NEC.

Premium & Business

If you are a small business owner, this plan is a must. It lets you prepare and file partnership and limited liability company (LLC) tax returns (Form 1065), corporate and S-corp returns (Forms 1120 and 1120S), nonprofit returns (Form 990), and estate and trust returns (Form 1041). You can also create employer forms (Forms W-2 and 1099) and payroll forms (Forms 940 and 941). You can also prepare your individual return with the same features as the Premium edition.

H&R Block Features

H&R Block offers some advanced features that are helpful for tackling difficult tax situations, depending on the version and package you choose. For instance, it offers W-2 photo capture, multiple guarantees, and easy input from other tax programs. We have some of H&R Block’s main features detailed below.

Photo Capture

Take a picture of your W-2 and then import it to H&R Block. This is much easier than entering all your W-2 information manually.

100% Accuracy Guarantee

H&R Block will refund any fees incurred to file a return that includes an error on its part, and it will refund you for any interest or penalties. It will also explain to you any notices received from the IRS.

Maximum Refund Guarantee

If you get a bigger tax refund from another tax preparation software, H&R Block will refund your software cost. You may also use H&R Block software to amend your return for free. To qualify, your refund claim must be made within the calendar year in which it was prepared.

Audit Support Guarantee

In case of an IRS audit, H&R Block offers free audit support to help you understand the process and how to respond to it. If you need a qualified H&R Block enrolled agent―a federally authorized tax practitioner―to represent you before the IRS, you will need to purchase its Peace of Mind Extended Service Plan add-on.

Tax Refund Calculator

The free tax calculator helps you learn about your current tax situation and plan ahead. Answer a few questions about your life, income, and expenses, and the calculator will estimate your filing status and taxable income based on those factors.

Mobile App

H&R Block’s mobile application, called MyBlock, lets you prep and file your returns anytime and anywhere. You can access and manage your Emerald card, credit score, and Tax Identity Shield membership. You can also get support from a tax pro through on-demand chat or video. MyBlock is available on Google Play and the App Store.

Refund Transfer

Pay your tax filing fees directly from your refund. H&R Block charges $39 for a federal refund transfer, but it’s free for states. If you wish to receive your remaining refund by check after making payments from your refund transfer account, you’ll need to pay an additional fee of $25. If you don’t sign up for Refund Transfer, you can receive your refund as a direct deposit or paper check free of charge. Of course, you’ll have to pay for your software from another source prior to filing.

Customer Service and Ease of Use

While H&R’s Block’s user interface is not as simple as some other online programs like TaxSlayer, it is still seamless and easy to navigate. Every page includes clear instructions for the next steps, and you can skip some pages and go back to complete them later. To get started, you need to answer a series of questions about your life, income, deductions, and other information:

H&R Block’s interview process.

Once you log in, you can view the status of your refund and check your past tax history. You can also instantly access the calculator to estimate your tax refund:

H&R Block’s tax history page.

There is an in-software help center including extensive online customer support, including a database of frequently asked questions (FAQs), blogs, and communities of experts. If you need unlimited live chat support and the ability to call and talk to a person, you will need to purchase a paid version. Finally, you can visit an H&R Block agent in any of its 12,000 offices.

H&R Block Alternatives

Bottom Line

H&R Block is a solid choice for individuals and business owners who want to save on their federal and state tax returns. Its free edition is a bit more expanded than most other programs, and its online versions come with multiple guarantees that will help you reduce your tax liabilities and increase your refund. It also gives you the option to talk to a live tax pro online, plus you can visit an agent at a desk in its brick-and-mortar office.

If you are looking to cut costs while still having the ability to talk to a real person, you should try H&R Block today.