H&R Block Review – Online Tax Filing Software for DIYers

H&R Block

• Plans and pricing: Four plans from $0 (free) to $85 (self-employed); Deluxe $35, Premium $70; State Filing $37 per state at all levels
• Key Features: AI Tax with 24/7 support powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI Unlimited Tax Pro support with tax experts on salaried plans Direct import from TurboTax (150 fields) Filing experience Audit support on all plans
• Benefits: Dual AI and human expert support at no extra cost, transparent up-front pricing, seamless turbotax switching, four guarantees including 100% accuracy and maximum cashback on paid plans.
• Disadvantages: Tax Pros provide guidance but do not review or file returns (requires additional), State filings add $37 per state, Free plan limited to simplified Form 1040 returns.

Tax season doesn’t have to mean stress, confusion, or expensive accountant bills. If you’re comfortable filing taxes yourself but want expert-level help without the premium price tag, H&R Block’s online filing platform offers professional guidance at affordable prices.

The platform has evolved beyond basic form filling. Partnering with Microsoft, H&R Block now offers AI tax support powered by Azure OpenAI that answers questions in plain English, 24/7. This system is developed by H&R Block’s Tax Institute. Combined with unlimited access to live tax professionals on paid plans, you get a double layer of support in your filing experience.

The platform handles everything from basic W-2 filers to self-employed individuals with Schedule C income, rental property owners, stock investors, and cryptocurrency traders. With transparent up-front pricing that starts free and scales logically based on complexity, H&R Block makes professional-grade tax preparation accessible without hidden fees.

Key Features

H&R Block provides four filing options designed to meet increasing tax complexity, with paid tiers including AI assistance and expert access at no extra charge.

Plans and pricing

• Free ($0 + $0 per state). Handles Form 1040 without complicated deductions or investments. More than 40 forms are included and include unemployment income, earned income credits, and education credits, including student loan interest (1098-E) and tuition payments (1098-T). About 52% of filers qualify for easy tax conditions — no schedules except for the Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, interest on student loans, and retirement plan distributions.
• Deluxe ($35 + $37 per state). There are itemized deductions and slightly more complex situations like homeowners and child and dependent care expenses. Includes AI Tax Assist and Unlimited Tax Pro support with tax experts.
• Premium ($70 + $37 per state). Designed for complex situations involving cryptocurrency, stock sales, and rental property income. Provides guidance for Schedules D and E and includes AI Tax Assist and unlimited Tax Pro support with tax experts.
• Self-Employed ($85 + $37 per state). Designed for the self-employed, gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors. Supports tracking business expenses and calculating self-employment taxes. Includes AI Tax Assist and Unlimited Tax Pro support with tax experts.

All plans include audit support, 100% accuracy guarantee, maximum refund guarantee, no surprises guarantee.

AI tax help and expert access

The platform’s standout feature combines artificial intelligence with human expertise. AI Tax Assist, powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI, provides conversational answers to tax questions in real-time. H&R Block CPAs, tax attorneys, and enrolled agents at Tax Institute translate complex tax rules and program technology to generate contextualized answers about it.

• Tax forms, deductions and credits to maximize refunds and minimize tax liability
• Guidance on complex tax terms and specific tax rules
• Recently changed laws and tax policies with several scenarios
• Questions about audit support and IRS letters
• Product support for using H&R Block DIY products

The AI ​​Tax Assist panel is available in the Help Center and is open on the right side of the screen, allowing questions at any time without leaving the program. The interface allows for unlimited queries with follow-up capability and conversation history.

Paid plans include unlimited expert support at no charge via chat or video screen sharing. Tax experts are available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. CST Monday through Friday and seven days a week during tax season. However, these professionals provide guidance but do not review, sign or file your return—which requires a separate tax pro review.

Smooth experience and data import

H&R Block streamlines the filing process from start to finish, reducing steps and simplifying data import. Simple Onboarding helps you get a pre-tax price before entering any data by asking about life events from the previous year. The platform provides transparent pricing upfront with no hidden fees.

Direct import TurboTax seamlessly converts to paid plans. When prompted, enter your TurboTax login credentials and H&R Block uses Authenticated Data Retrieval to import 150 data fields from prior year returns, minimizing manual entry and reducing errors. The switching process usually takes less than two minutes.

Other import options include Scan and Go (take a photo of your W-2 with your phone) and drag and drop for importing W-2s, 1099 forms and other financial information.

Help for Self Employed and Students

The self-employment tier supports tracking business expenses, calculating self-employment tax and managing aspects related to self-employment income. Self-employed workers can claim deductions including mileage or car expenses, qualified business income (20% deduction for certain entities), and health insurance (100% deduction for qualified premiums).

For students, the free tier supports the necessary forms for education deductions at no additional charge, including student loan interest (1098-E) and tuition payments (1098-T). Students can claim the American Opportunity Credit (up to $2,500 with up to $1,000 refundable) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (up to $2,000).

Tax Pro Review

TaxPro Review is available as an add-on for those who want to have a professional review their complete DIY return and provide additional assurance when filing. Add a TaxPro review to DIY at any point. After completing your return online, you’ll upload your tax documents, and submit them to TaxPro. Your tax pro will usually contact you within 24 hours to finish your review, look over your tax documents and entries for errors, and increase what you owe or your refund. Once you approve any changes, your tax pro files your return for hints and extra assurance. Costs vary based on the complexity of tax filing.

Guarantees and support

H&R Block offers four guarantees:

• 100% accuracy. If there is an error caused by H&R Block, the company pays you any resulting penalties and interest up to $10,000.
• Maximum refund. If you discover an H&R Block error that entitles you to a larger refund or a smaller tax liability, H&R Block refunds the tax prep fee and files an amended return at no additional charge.
• No wonder. H&R Block tells you the price up front and keeps you updated if anything changes.
• Audit support. It’s standard on all plans, both free and paid, providing guidance on IRS correspondence and help responding to letters.

Benefits

1. Dual AI and human expert support at no extra cost. H&R Block offers AI Tax Assist and unlimited live expert support included with compensation plans at no extra charge. AI Tax Assist is powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI and combines 70 years of H&R Block Tax expertise with interactive AI technology from the Tax Institute.
2. Transparent up-front pricing. You know there are no hidden fees or surprises on your spending with a dynamic product selector and transparent pricing display.
3. Smooth turbotax switching. Direct Import converts salaried plans by importing 150 data fields from your previous year’s TurboTax return using your login credentials. The switching process takes less than two minutes.
4. Strong guarantee package. H&R Block offers four guarantees: 100% accuracy, maximum refunds, no surprises, and audit support.

Disadvantages

1. Limitations of expert assistance. While paid plans include unlimited access to tax experts, they provide guidance but don’t review, sign or file your return. If you want validation before filing, this requires a paid Tax Pro review at an additional cost.
2. State filed expenses. State filings add $37 per state to the deluxe, premium, and self-employed tiers. A filer using Premium with a state pays a total of $107 ($70 federal + $37 state).
3. Free planning limits. The free tier is limited to simplified Form 1040 returns with no schedules except for the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Student Loan Interest, Schedule 1A, and Retirement Plan Distributions. Filers with itemized deductions, HSA contributions, freelance income, rental property, or investment income in excess of basic interest need to upgrade.

The last word

H&R Block represents a solid option for filers who want professional-level assistance without having to pay for scheduling office appointments or full-service preparation. The AI ​​Tax Assist feature provides instant answers in support of decades of tax expertise, while unlimited access to live tax experts on salaried plans ensures expert guidance throughout the filing process.

The free option works for simple returns, and about 52% of filers qualify. For those needing paid plans, the Deluxe tier handles common scenarios including itemized deductions and child care expenses. Self-employed filers benefit from self-employment with guidance on Schedule C expenses and self-employment taxes.

H&R Block makes sense for filers who want professional-level support and guaranteed accuracy with transparent pricing. The platform provides expert guidance through both AI technology and human tax experts, keeping costs reasonable while providing comprehensive support throughout the filing process.

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