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Ready to file a tax return but not sure which do-it-yourself tax preparation software to use? If it’s a question of TurboTax vs. H&R Block, both offer an easy way to file your taxes online by yourself—and call in some help from a tax pro if needed.
Note: The deadline to file your 2023 tax return was Monday, April 15, 2024.
Compare the best tax software of 2024
TurboTax vs. H&R Block Overview
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DIY Products
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Prices
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Features
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Customer Support
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About TurboTax
TurboTax, a product of the financial, tax and accounting software provider Intuit, is practically synonymous with do-it-yourself tax preparation, partly because it’s been around for some 40 years.
TurboTax has been the most popular DIY tax software option for decades, thanks to the company’s focus on design and user experience. Back when other tax software packages were asking the same series of questions to all users regardless of their tax situation, TurboTax pioneered a “click here if this applies to you” format. Users can select topics relevant to them—such as marriage, children, a new job or selling stock—and skip sections of the software that don’t apply to their situation.
It’s an approach that TurboTax competitors, including H&R Block, have tried to emulate.
TurboTax Live launched in 2017, allowing customers to reach out for help from a credentialed tax expert if they get stuck or have questions while preparing their returns. And in 2020, the company introduced TurboTax Live Full Service, which lets customers hand off their tax filing to an expert.
“Even if you have complicated taxes, TurboTax is a do-it-yourself tax software option with the flexibility to handle most situations,” says Kemberley Washington, CPA and Forbes Advisor tax expert.
Pros & Cons of TurboTax
Let’s look at some positives and negatives of using TurboTax.
Pros
- Donation calculator. The TurboTax “ItsDeductible” app helps you track the value of items donated to charity.
- Ease of use. TurboTax makes tax filing easy by walking you through the process with interview-style questions and lots of plain-language definitions and explanations.
Cons
- Lack of pricing transparency. If you’re unfamiliar with all of the tax forms, deductions, and credits that apply to your tax situation, figuring out which version of TurboTax you need can be tricky. You could go through the entire tax-prep process, only to find you don’t qualify for the free or lower-priced version of the software and must pay a hefty fee to file. This can mean wasted time if you decide you want to find a cheaper alternative.
- Too much upselling. When using TurboTax software, be prepared for near-constant offers to upgrade to a more expensive version, get help from a TurboTax Live expert or add other features for additional fees.
Featured Tax Software Partner
1
TurboTax Deluxe
$69
$64
About H&R Block
H&R Block’s history dates back further than TurboTax, although DIY tax filing hasn’t always been a part of the business. H&R Block was founded in 1955 by brothers Henry and Richard Bloch, who soon began franchising their tax preparation business.
For decades, the company was known primarily for its retail tax-preparation storefronts, where customers could make an appointment or drop in to have their taxes handled by a trained tax preparer. In the early 1990s, H&R Block released tax software that allowed customers to do their own taxes from home; in 2004, it added the option of live review by a tax professional.
In 2018, the company began allowing customers to upload documents and answer questions about their tax situations online, then have a tax professional prepare and file returns on their behalf.
“One advantage of using H&R Block’s online tax software is that at any point you can stop and choose to finish up your return with a tax professional in one of their offices,” says Kemberley Washington, CPA and Forbes Advisor tax expert.
Pros & Cons of H&R Block
Now let’s look at the pluses and minuses of using H&R Block to file your return.
Pros
- “No Surprise Guarantee.” H&R Block tries to avoid unexpected fees with its “No Surprise Guarantee.” If the company doesn’t deliver transparent pricing up front and explain any price changes during the process, you receive a coupon for a 20% discount on next year’s tax preparation from H&R Block. But review the terms of the no-surprise guarantee carefully before you commit, because some exclusions may apply.
- Optional in-person help. If you get stuck preparing your tax return or decide to turn it over to a professional, you aren’t limited to working with someone online. You can work with a tax pro virtually, make an appointment at an H&R Block office or drop off your tax documents at one of the locations. Fees for filing with an H&R Block tax pro start at $89 (plus an additional fee for a state tax return).
Cons
- Can be pricey. While H&R Block is cheaper than TurboTax, it’s more expensive than some other DIY tax-filing options. If you don’t qualify for free filing, you’ll pay at least $55 to e-file a federal tax return, plus $49 for each e-filed state return, which can add up quickly if you need to file in more than one state. Add-ons such as online assistance or having your fees paid directly from your refund can drive the cost higher.
Turbo Tax vs. H&R Block: Prices
H&R Block and TurboTax both offer full-service tax-filing services, but we’ll focus on the prices for do-it-yourself options.
| TurboTax Package | TurboTax Pricing | H&R Block Package | H&R Block Pricing |
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Free Edition Covers W-2 income, limited investment income, the earned income tax credit, child tax credit, standard deduction
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$0 Federal ~37% of taxpayers qualify. Form 1040 + limited credits only.
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Free Online
Covers W-2 income, unemployment benefits, the earned income tax credit, child tax credit, standard deduction, student loan interest deduction
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$0 Federal
$0 Per State
File simple returns yourself online
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Deluxe
Allows for itemizing deductions
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$69 Federal |
Deluxe
Allows for itemizing deductions, health savings account contributions, child tax credit and earned income tax credit
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$55 Federal
$49 Per State
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Premium
Allows for capital gains and losses, including cryptocurrency transactions
Includes rental income and expenses, and pass-through businesses
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$129 Federal |
Premium
Allows for capital gains and losses, including cryptocurrency transactions
Includes rental income and expenses, and pass-through businesses
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$85 Federal
$49 Per State
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Self-Employed
Covers business income, expenses and depreciation
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$115 Federal
$49 Per State
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H&R Block has lower prices than TurboTax for most paid versions of its online tax-filing platforms. Keep in mind, however, that both companies may offer special pricing throughout the year.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Features
TurboTax and H&R Block each offer a variety of features designed to make tax filing convenient and stress-free. Here are some common features both companies offer:
- Import of tax documents. If your employer participates, you can automatically import your W-2 into the software to save time rather than manually entering the information. You can also take photos of your W-2 and other tax documents with your smartphone and import them. (For TurboTax, you’d use its mobile app.)
- Fees payable from your tax refund. Both H&R Block and TurboTax offer the ability to pay your tax-prep fees out of your tax refund. They both charge about $40 for the convenience.
- Live support. If you get stuck while preparing your return or have a tax question, both TurboTax and H&R Block allow you to pay an additional fee to get live help from a tax professional.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Ease of Use
Both TurboTax and H&R Block make it easy to prepare your tax returns on your own.
- Intuitive interface. TurboTax is known for its user-friendly interface. The platform uses a question-and-answer format that closely resembles an interview, guiding you through each section of your tax return. This approach is particularly beneficial if you’re not well-versed in tax terminology, as it breaks down complex tax concepts into understandable language. H&R Block also offers a user-friendly interface, though it tends to use more formal tax language, which might be better if you already have a basic understanding of your taxes.
- Ability to upload documents. TurboTax and H&R Block simplify entering information and uploading documents by allowing you to import tax-related forms from participating employers and financial institutions. You can also take photos of your documents and upload them. This functionality can significantly reduce the time you spend on manual data entry.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Customer Support
Both TurboTax and H&R Block offer a range of customer support options. Here’s an overview of each company’s support options, availability and cost.
TurboTax
Support Options
- Live chat
- Phone support
- Access to tax experts (for an additional fee)
- Extensive online help articles, videos, FAQs, and an online community
Tax Expert Availability
- Mid-April to early January: from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday
- During tax filing season: from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PT
Cost for Support
- Basic technical support is free
- Additional cost for tax help varies based on service level
H&R Block
Support Options
- Live chat
- Phone support
- Access to tax experts online or at a local office (for an additional fee)
- Extensive online help articles and FAQs
Tax Expert Availability
- Online and software phone support: from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday
- Live chat: 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. CT, Monday to Sunday
Cost for Support
- Basic technical support is free
- Additional cost for help from a tax expert varies based on service level
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Discount Coupons
When comparing pricing for TurboTax and H&R Block, it’s helpful to consider any discounts or coupons offered. These will vary from year to year and may apply to different versions of their online tax preparation services.
Both companies may offer seasonal discounts on their tax preparation fees as incentives to encourage early filing of tax returns. Those discounts are usually available only if you file in January or early February.
Returns, Audits and Further Considerations
Everyone hopes to file their tax return, pay what’s owed or (perhaps) get a refund and never have to worry about that year’s tax return again. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
You may get a notice from the IRS questioning the information on your return or, worse, face an IRS audit.
TurboTax and H&R Block both provide support for handling IRS notices or dealing with an audit, albeit for an additional fee.
TurboTax offers an Audit Support Guarantee when you purchase any of their tax filing products. This service includes free one-on-one audit guidance from a tax expert to help you understand what to expect and how to prepare for an audit.
For an additional fee, you can purchase Audit Defense, a service that provides access to a tax professional to handle all audit-related communications and meet with the IRS on your behalf.
H&R Block also offers free basic help with IRS notices when you file your taxes with its online platform. For a fee, you can add on its Worry-Free Audit Support package, in which a tax pro helps you communicate with the IRS about your current federal return if needed.
For longer-term coverage, you can purchase H&R Block’s Peace of Mind extended service plan. This costs an extra $40 when you file your return, but it includes responding to IRS notices and tax audit representation—even if the IRS comes knocking years after you filed your return.
H&R Block vs. TurboTax: Which Is Right for You?
Both TurboTax and H&R Block are solid, user-friendly options for DIY tax filers who want to try filing on their own but like the idea of being able to call in professional help when needed.
Just keep in mind that additional levels of service will come at a higher price. If you’re interested in unlimited, on-demand tax help, you might be better off upgrading to TurboTax Live Full Service, getting help at a local H&R Block office, or working with a certified public accountant or an enrolled agent credentialed by the IRS.
Featured Tax Software Partner
1
TurboTax Deluxe
$69
$64
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does TurboTax get you the best refund?
No tax software provider can guarantee you the best refund. Your tax refund is based on your income, deductions, credits, and the amount of tax you paid during the year. If you input your return information accurately, you should receive the same refund no matter which software you use.
Is it worth getting your taxes done at H&R Block?
Getting your taxes done at H&R Block can be worth it, especially if you prefer personalized, in-person assistance or have a complex tax situation. If you’re not sure whether the DIY route is right for you, you can start preparing your own return online, then turn it over to an H&R Block tax expert if you get stuck.
