H&R Block may be most recognized for its tax preparation offices throughout the U.S., where you can hire a professional to do your taxes. The company also offers popular online filing plans and downloadable computer software. If you choose an online package, you can work on your taxes with help from an AI chatbot or a human expert, and pay extra to have a tax pro review your return before it's submitted.
Business Insider's personal finance team compared H&R Block to the best tax software and found it to be an industry leader.
H&R Block Pros & Cons
Pros
- Online self-preparation plans come with live expert help
- Free online plan includes federal and state returns
- Huge physical footprint with 9,000 office locations around the U.S.
Cons
- No expert help with free file
- State returns cost extra in online paid plans
- Self-employed filers with deductions must use the top-tier plans
File with H&R Block
- Seamless data entry when you upload tax documents (PDF or photo of paper document)
- Interface is modern and easy to navigate
- Instructions are clear and helpful
- Company doesn't try to upsell you while preparing a return
- Ability to save your spot and return later
- Offices in all 50 states where tax professionals can prepare your return in person or virtually
- Cost
- $0 option does not include itemized deductions
- $0 plan does not offer on-demand chat or phone support
H&R Block has something for everyone, whether you're filing online yourself, looking for expert advice, or want to hand it off to a professional. While it doesn't offer the lowest prices you'll find for tax software, the quality of the overall user experience can justify the higher cost.
- File your own taxes
- Step-by-step guidance
- Add expert tax help any time
- Real time results
Compare Tax Companies
Who is H&R Block Best For?
H&R Block's online tax software is best for people who are willing to pay a bit more for quality and ease. Each package comes with unlimited expert access, a rarity among tax-prep services, and premium features that make the tax-filing experience less tedious than expected.
A free edition supports only simple tax situations, but it's wider in scope than free offerings from competitors.
Overview
- DIY filing ranges from $0 to $85 (+$37 per state return)
- All paid DIY packages include unlimited virtual access to tax professionals
- Full-service tax prep is available in person or virtually
Federal and State Tax Filing
H&R Block helps people prepare and file their federal and state tax returns. The company used to require a pricey upgrade for users who needed help from a tax pro, but now every paid, DIY online plan includes that resource.
Online and Desktop Versions
In addition to the online options, H&R Block also sells downloadable tax software that you can use to prepare your returns without an internet connection (you'll need internet when you're ready to e-file, however).
There are four packages: Basic ($40), Deluxe + State ($59), Premium ($85), and Premium & Business ($99). The 2024 versions (for taxes you file in 2025) are compatible with Windows 10 or higher and Mac OS X 12 or higher.
State returns are included with Deluxe, Premium, and Premium & Business, but there's a $19.95 fee to e-file, except in New York (printing your return to mail it is free). State-only programs are $39.95 each.
Import and Export Capabilities
All H&R Block online plans allow you to upload your income forms to speed up data entry. H&R Block also partners with payroll providers, banks, and investment companies — including the recent addition of CoinTracker for cryptocurrency trades — so you can easily import relevant tax forms. Importing your tax return from last year is simple too.
Accuracy and Error-Checking
H&R Block's 100% accuracy guarantee ensures that its online products and downloadable software will calculate your taxes accurately. If there's an error that results in penalties or interest from the IRS or a state taxing authority, the company will reimburse your charges up to $10,000.
If you purchase an online package, you can pay extra for Tax Pro Review, where a professional looks over your return for errors or missed deductions, and makes suggestions where appropriate, before submitting it.
Cost
The cost of filing with H&R Block can be less than TurboTax, but more than other well known tax-prep services such as TaxSlayer and TaxAct. Pricing is generally based on the number of forms you need to file and whether you want a tax professional to do your taxes for you or to double-check your returns before they're submitted.
Free Edition
You can file your federal and state returns for free with H&R Block if you have W-2 income, qualified retirement distributions, unemployment income, or limited interest and dividends.
Both the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit can be claimed with this plan, as well as the education credits and student loan interest deduction — which is more than TurboTax's free version covers. You can't itemize deductions, but that's typical of any tax provider's free plan.
Deluxe Edition
- $35
If you're a homeowner with mortgage interest or other itemized deductions, this plan will cover you. You can also report Health Savings Account contributions and expenses for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Freelancers and gig workers with only income to report can use the Deluxe plan too, but will need to upgrade to the Self-Employed plan if they are claiming any business deductions.
Deluxe includes access to AI Tax Assist, an AI chatbot, to help answer your general tax questions and can connect you with a live tax professional over the phone.
Premium Edition
- $65
Premium supports everything in the Deluxe version, plus rental property income and investment profits and losses. Access to the AI chatbot and live tax pros is included.
Self-Employed Edition
- $85
This is the only plan that supports business owners, contractors, and freelancers who need to report income and deduct expenses using Schedule C. Access to the AI chatbot and live tax pros is included.
State Filing Fees
Filing a state return is an extra $37 with the online plans, unless you qualify for free federal filing. This is on par with other online tax-prep services.
Full-Service Plans
- Starting at $89
Hand off your taxes to a professional by uploading your documents to a secure online portal or dropping them off at one of 9,000 H&R Block offices around the country.
Tax Pro Review
If you're concerned about making mistakes or missing deductions, H&R Block can connect you with a professional in its network who can double-check your work.
To prep your own return and add on Tax Pro Review, you'll pay a total of $55 for the Free version, $100 for Deluxe, $160 for Premium, and $180 for Self-Employed. State returns are $37, or $0 with the Free version.
H&R Block says it can take up to three days for a tax pro to complete their review, but timing can vary throughout tax season.
How Does H&R Block Tax Software Work?
User Interface and Design
H&R Block has attractive desktop and mobile application interfaces that appear easy to navigate. The H&R Block Tax Prep app is highly rated on Google and Apple's app stores and allows you to snap photos of your tax documents and securely upload them to your account as you prepare your federal and state tax returns.
Step-by-Step Guidance
Like other tax-preparation services, H&R Block walks users through a series of questions about their household, income, and opportunities for deductions and tax credits. It will recommend a package based on your answers, and you can confirm or choose a different product.
With any plan, you'll need to add information from your employer, other income sources, and 1099, 1098, W-2, and other tax forms that may show up in your mailbox or inbox. H&R Block can save you time by pre-filling some of the numbers when you upload or snap a photo of your forms, or import them from an applicable payroll provider, bank, or investment company.
With all this information, H&R Block can identify which deductions you qualify for and calculate your tax liability. From there, you'll see credits you qualify for, which can reduce your bill or increase your refund. You'll have a chance to review your return, sign it, and submit it to the IRS. You'll repeat the process for any state returns.
Customer Support
Support Options Available
In previous years, H&R Block users had to upgrade to a more expensive online plan — or visit a local office — to get help from an expert. Now, every plan except the Free version includes access to a generative AI chatbot and live tax professionals accessible from your account dashboard.
H&R Block lists a general phone number for customer support on its website, as well as support lines for specific products, including online filing and desktop software.
Security and Privacy
Data Encryption and Security Measures
H&R Block requires multi-factor authentication for all users. The company uses industry-standard encryption practices to protect your financial and personal data, including secure document uploads to your H&R Block account.
Privacy Policy
H&R Block collects information you enter when preparing your taxes according to local, state, and federal laws. In some cases, your information may be used to improve or market H&R Block's products and services and be shared with companies owned or controlled by H&R Block. You can review the company's full privacy policy here.
H&R Block Alternatives
TurboTax
$0 for Free Edition (~37% of filers qualify. Form 1040 and no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest), $39 to $69 for Deluxe, $89 to $129 for Premium
- Can be good for relatively complex tax situations that may require help navigating deductions and forms
- Offers step-by-step guidance
- Ability to upgrade for instant access to an expert
- Not all users will qualify for a $0 filing option
- Most expensive option for many tax situations
- No brick-and-mortar locations to meet with a tax pro
TurboTax is among the most expensive options for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It's especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration.
TurboTax Tax Software- Tell TurboTax about your life and it will guide you step by step. Jumpstart your taxes with last year’s info.
- Snap a photo of your W-2 or 1099-NEC and TurboTax will put your info in the right places.
- CompleteCheck™ scans your return so you can be confident it’s 100% accurate.
- You won’t pay for TurboTax until it’s time to file and you’re fully satisfied.
- TurboTax is committed to getting you your maximum refund, guaranteed.
H&R Block and TurboTax both offer online tax prep, downloadable software, and full-service tax prep. But H&R Block is the only one with brick-and-mortar locations that support an in-person filing experience. Many Americans qualify for free tax prep, and both companies have been the subject of federal complaints for misleading advertising practices that pushed filers into paid plans. For the 2025 filing season, H&R Block's free plan covers more situations than TurboTax's.
FreeTaxUSA
- Don't qualify for free federal returns elsewhere
- Value affordability over convenience
- Don't mind extended wait times for customer support
- Qualify for free federal and state tax returns elsewhere
- Appreciate time-saving features like document upload
- Want personalized advice from an expert
- Have foreign earned income, are a nonresident alien, or live outside the US
Able to prep and file your federal return for free, and add on a state return for a low price.
FreeTax USA- Clean and modern interface
- Upgrade to priority customer support for $6.99
- Easy prior-year return import, but no document upload
H&R Block has a wider range of offerings for tax prep than FreeTaxUSA, including full-service options. For online filing, H&R Block users get access to a tax specialist with the purchase of any self-preparation plan (costs range from $35 to $85), while FreeTaxUSA charges $39.99 for unlimited phone support. When it comes to ease of use, filers may save time using H&R Block over FreeTaxUSA, which doesn't yet support 1099 document uploads.
TaxSlayer
up to $52.95 for federal tax return and an additional $39.95 for state tax return
- Strong option for self-employed filers
- Low price — comparable self-employed packages at H&R Block and TurboTax are more than 2x the cost
- All packages include phone and email support
- Self-employed package includes on-demand access to a tax professional
- Simple and clean interface
- Ability to set up reminders to pay estimated quarterly taxes throughout the year
- Filers with any type of tax situation who meet AGI limits can use the IRS Free File program to file a federal return, and maybe a state return, with TaxSlayer at no cost
- Free version advertised on its website does not include earned income tax credit or child tax credit
- Interface isn't as intuitive as H&R Block or TurboTax
TaxSlayer is a good budget option for people who don't need a lot of assistance when filing their taxes and can be a great value for self-employed filers. However, the interface can be a bit clunky, and the free and lower-cost packages might not have all the features you need.
TaxSlayer- Choose direct deposit for your refund and e-file your return to get your fastest refund possible.
- Everyone gets free, unlimited phone and email support. And if you need more help, we have you covered from Ask a Tax Pro to Audit Defense.
- Download free app for tax filing, resources, news, and tips at your fingertips.
- Guaranteed maximum refund
- 100% accuracy guaranteed
- Zero out-of-pocket fees
TaxSlayer can be a particularly good choice for tax-savvy self-employed filers, with a package designed for that scenario priced at $52.95, compared with H&R Block's offering at $85. Still, anyone looking for full-service plans or in-person help should turn to H&R Block.
H&R Block Customer Experience
Compilation of H&R Block User Feedback
H&R Block has not been extensively reviewed on Trustpilot, a popular platform for reviewing businesses. Of the 1,200 reviews, the vast majority (nearly 90%) gave the company a rating of 1 out of 5 stars. Only about 5% of the ratings are 4 or 5 stars. Many customers complain of unreliable and unresponsive customer service and high fees that do not reflect the value provided. Many positive reviews praise specific H&R Block tax professionals by name, who the customers say provided exceptional full-service tax preparation.
H&R Block also publishes reviews of its tax-filing products on its website, which show an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 across more than 594,000 reviews. It's unclear how the reviews are solicited or selected to appear on the website.
Overall Rating and Satisfaction
H&R Block received complaints from the Federal Trade Commission in 2024 for "deceptive advertising" regarding its free online plan and "unfair practices" when customers request to switch to a lower-priced product, including wiping their tax information entered up to that point and requiring a call to customer service, stretching out their tax-prep process.
H&R Block agreed to a proposed settlement that requires changes to its products for the 2025 tax season and $7 million, paid to the FTC, in restitution.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Rated H&R Block
H&R Block is one of the biggest names in tax preparation, but it's also controversial. In addition to rating H&R Block's online tax software on cost, value, user experience, and access to experts, we also rated the company on trustworthiness. This required a review of its pricing transparency, which has been the subject of federal complaints.
For more information, see our tax software methodology.
FAQs
Who pays if H&R Block makes a mistake?
H&R Block says if its tax-preparation software makes an error on your return, the company will reimburse you up to $10,000 for any resulting penalties and interest.
What are the benefits of using the Deluxe or Premium Editions of H&R Block?
A benefit of using the Deluxe or Premium online filing plans at H&R Block is that you get unlimited access to an AI chatbot and human experts when you have tax questions.
How does H&R Block ensure the accuracy of my tax return?
H&R Block has a 100% accuracy guarantee that promises reimbursement of any federal or state fees you are assessed if errors are uncovered.
Can I import my previous tax return into H&R Block?
H&R Block allows you to import your previous tax return from another tax service to speed up data entry.
Is H&R Block good for taxes?
H&R Block could be a good option for filing taxes if you value having access to tax experts for help and don't mind paying a bit more for it. Some customers also appreciate that there are brick-and-mortar H&R Block locations throughout the U.S.
