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H&R Block Reviews

8.4

bestfor-icon Easy-To-Navigate Tax Filing Process

angelawatson
Written by Angela Mae

About H&R Block | Read More

8.5

LS Score

9

Credibility

7.5

Support

8

Accessibility

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Opening Hours Opening Hours drop-down-btn
Mon-Sun 7am-10pm EST
Contact Information Contact Information drop-down-btn
  • support@hrblock.com
  • 1 (800) 472-5625
  • Headquarters: address 1301 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64105
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H&R Block Tax Relief Review

H&R Block has been helping people file their taxes for over 70 years. They’ve helped prepare around 800 million state and federal tax returns since launch and have an estimated 12,000 locations worldwide. Whether you need to file a simple tax return or have more complicated taxes, H&R Block can help.

H&R Block Tax Relief Highlight

YES

Free Consultation

YES

Potential Extra Fees

YES

Money Back Guarantee

N/A

BBB Rating

Pros & Cons

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  • con-icon Ability to have a tax professional do simple and complicated tax returns (federal and state)
  • con-icon Different tiered options available to match customers’ budget
  • con-icon Online software for those who prefer to file their own taxes online
  • con-icon No upfront fees
  • con-icon Some people have issues using their software to file taxes
  • con-icon Online chat feature is only available for paid subscriptions
  • con-icon Costs may turn out higher than other filing services

Tax Relief Service Types

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  • Dealing with the IRS
  • Tax Preparation and Planning
  • Unfiled Tax Returns
  • Federal tax
  • State tax

Type of Fees

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  • Flat rate
  • service based

In-House Professionals

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  • CPAs
  • Enrolled Agents

Brand Certifications & Organizational Memberships

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  • NATP
  • National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)
  • Association of International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
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Associated Fees

H&R Block has no hidden fees. They offer a tiered system plus additional add-ons. For online taxes, options include:

  • Free online process
  • Deluxe ($55 + $37 per state filed)
  • Premium ($75 + $37 per state filed)
  • Self-employed ($100 + $37 per state filed)

They also offer a free initial consultation. Common fees, however, include:

  • $0 for simple tax returns
  • Up to $110 for complicated tax returns
  • Additional $37 state filing fee
  • Additional $85 Tax Pro filing fee

H&R Block also has optional add-ons, like the Worry-Free Audit Support for $19.99, which add to the overall price. Before you sign up for anything, you can use the Price Preview to see how much you’ll be paying for each service or add-on. You may also qualify for automatic discounts.

Nevertheless, H&R Block ensures top-notch service by implementing the following measures:”

  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you aren’t satisfied, you don’t have to pay.
  • 100% Accuracy Guarantee: If they make a mistake, they will reimburse you for any penalties
  • Maximum Refund Guarantee: If you should have received a larger refund or owed a smaller amount, H&R Block will refund any software fees OR refund the tax prep fee. They will also let you amend your online or in-person tax return without additional fees.
  • No Surprise Guarantee: Customers receive 20% off their next tax preparation if H&R Block fails to offer the following: Transparent Process, Free Audit Assistance, Upfront Transparent Pricing, and Free Mid-Year Care Check-In.

Process & Time Frame

Setting up an appointment doesn’t take much time and can be done online or via phone. Depending on how busy they are, you could get an appointment as soon as the next business day. If you file online, you can start the process that same day.
H&R Block strives to make the process as simple as they can. Their tax professionals tend to be professional, friendly, and transparent about what you can expect from the service they provide. They’ll also walk you through everything.
You can also get an initial consultation that lasts about 15 minutes.

  1. Find a local office and a tax professional: This process takes less than a few minutes online.
  2. Tax consultation: Have a brief consultation with a tax professional about your filing status. This can help you determine the best package and filing method for you.
  3. Schedule an appointment: Set up an online or in-person appointment for as soon as the next business day.
  4. Plan development: Work with a tax professional to go through your taxes and develop a plan based on their complexity. Bring any required and relevant documentation. This can take about an hour or so.
  5. File: Review everything, file your taxes, and pay.
  6. Negotiation with the IRS: H&R Block will help you find the best tax breaks available to you. They can also help if you need to negotiate with the IRS.
  7. Tax audit representation: A tax professional can help with audit preparation and representation. This service costs $19.99.

Application & Handling Process

If you’re thinking about filing your taxes with H&R Block, here’s how to go about it. Start by heading to the main website. From there, you can choose to either file your taxes by yourself or to go through a tax professional.

  • Filing on your own: You’ll be redirected to a page dedicated to electronic filing. This page will list your options. You can choose the best option for you and start the process for free. If you do not already have an account, you can create one now. Once that’s done, follow the instructions to file your taxes.
  • File with a tax professional: If you opt to go through a tax professional, you’ll need to make an appointment virtually or in-person. Alternatively, you can choose to drop off your files and related paperwork at a local office. H&R Block does take walk-ins as well, but this can lead to long wait times. Whichever option you choose, you’ll need to indicate whether you want to work with a specific tax professional or are looking for a new one. Enter your address (with zip) and you’ll see a map with local offices. Choose a location and set up an appointment or drop off your paperwork.
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Step 1

Get started

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Step 2

How do you want to get started with your tax pro?

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Step 3

Want to work with your previous tax pro?

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Step 4

What location works best for you?

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Step 5

Which office do you prefer?

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Step 6

What time works best for you?

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Step 7

Tell us about yourself

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Step 8

Final step

Required Information

To begin the tax filing process, you’ll need specific information relating to the type of taxes you’re filing. For example, a simple tax return might only require W2s. Here’s some of the most commonly required information:

  • Full name
  • Contact information (ex. phone number, physical address, email)
  • SSN or tax identification number
  • Bank account number and routing number
  • All sources of income (ex. social security, full-time or part-time employment, self-employment, etc.)
  • W2s, 1099s, 1095-A, etc.
  • Applicable tax deductions

State Availability

- Available in all states

angelawatson
Written by Angela Mae

Angela Mae is a personal finance writer specializing in loans, debt management, investing, retirement planning, and financial literacy. She comes from a journalistic background and pulls from hands-on experience and deep-dive research to breathe life into her stories. Her goal is to help others achieve financial stability and independence. When not writing, she can be found traveling, honing her yoga skills, hiking, or exploring new means of healthy, sustainable living.

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FAQ’s

How long does H&R Block keep any filed tax information?

H&R Block retains customers’ tax information for as long as the connected account remains active. The IRS also requires them to keep previously filed tax returns for at least 3 years. If you start a tax return but do not finish it, H&R Block will remove it once the current tax season ends.

What happens if you receive an additional tax form after filing?

You will need to submit an amended return online or through a local office.

Is it better to file your own taxes or go through a tax professional?

This depends on the complexity of your taxes. If your filing a simple tax return, you could use H&R Block’s online system. But if you’re dealing with a complicated tax return, the team’s tax professionals can make the process much simpler.

Customer Support

H&R Block’s in person tax service is excellent, with friendly, knowledgeable tax professionals helping out every step of the way. They are also responsive when it comes to in-person and phone communication. The exact level of support varies depending on the location, though.

However, their tech support and software are not always as reliable. On Trustpilot, the company has 1.2 out of 5 stars. On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), they have 1.12 stars. Reviews on both sites indicate poor or limited online service.

Privacy & Security

H&R Block strives to keep their customer information safe and protected. They have an entire PDF that explains how they gather and use personal information. This document also indicates how H&R Block shares certain information with their business partners and service providers for the purpose of supporting their services and products.

On H&R Block’s privacy page, they indicate that they use several different safeguards — physical, digital, and administrative — to keep customer information safe. As with any online service, no data is 100% secure, but these safeguards minimize the risk of fraud or unauthorized activity.

Online customer data — like Social Security Numbers — are encrypted using socket layer technology. Any shared information is monitored closely. In the case of a data breach, H&R Block will immediately notify any customers by phone, email, or physical mail.

In Conclusion

H&R Block is a reputable, well-established company whose goal is to help people through expert tax-related guidance and offering more ways to file. They value their clients and community, which shows in their in-person and phone support. However, their online software and tech support still have some issues for people who do their taxes on their own.

The company also offers several tiers that can cover simple tax returns to more complex ones. This makes them a good option for people who need an array of tax-related services.

Brand Disclaimer

Full Site Disclaimers Free Worry-Free Audit Support is available only for clients who purchase and use H&R Block desktop software solutions to prepare and successfully file their 2022 individual income tax return (federal or state). It does not provide for reimbursement of any taxes, penalties, or interest imposed by taxing authorities and does not include legal representation. Additional terms and restrictions apply; See Guarantees for complete details. Additional fees apply for tax expert support. Pricing varies by location. Federal pricing will vary based upon individual taxpayer circumstances and is finalized at the time of filing. All tax situations are different. If you discover an error in the H&R Block tax preparation software that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller liability), we will refund the software fees you paid to prepare that return and you may use our software to amend your return at no additional charge. To qualify for the H&R Block Maximum Refund Guarantee, the refund claim must be made during the calendar year in which the return was prepared and the larger refund or smaller tax liability must not be due to incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistent information supplied by you, positions taken by you, your choice not to claim a deduction or credit, conflicting tax laws, or changes in tax laws after January 1, 2022. If the online tax preparation or tax software makes an arithmetic error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the IRS that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, H&R Block will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000. Terms and conditions apply; see Accurate Calculations Guarantee for details. H&R Block is a registered trademark of HRB Innovations, Inc. TurboTax® and Quicken® are registered trademarks of Intuit, Inc. TaxAct® is a registered trademark of TaxAct, Inc. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Receive 20% off next year’s tax preparation if we fail to provide any of the 4 benefits included in our “No Surprise Guarantee” (Upfront Transparent Pricing, Transparent Process, Free Audit Assistance, and Free Midyear Tax Check-In). Limitations apply. Description of benefits and details at hrblock.com/guarantees.