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Source: The College Investor
H&R Block offers easy-to-use software for tax filers who want to complete their taxes online or using their desktop computer. H&R Block online tax prep consistently ranks runner-up in annual listings of the most popular online tax preparation software.
We rank it second for ease of use, but with lower pricing than competitor TurboTax, it’s a better choice for those looking for a high-end experience on a lower budget.
H&R Block offers a combination of premium services, ranging from:
- Self-service tax preparation online
- Online tax preparation with expert assistance
- Full-service tax prep, where you drop your tax forms at an H&R Block office, and they take care of the rest
The software allows regular people without finance or tax expertise to do their taxes independently at a reasonable cost. Users can count on a step-by-step tax filing experience with easy-to-understand guides.
H&R Block delivers a user experience that makes tax filing reasonably simple. However, it is a premium product that can come with a premium price tag. While it’s cheaper than TurboTax, you can still find less expensive options. Before you start on your taxes, be sure you know what to expect in terms of cost at checkout.
Check out our list of the best tax software to see how H&R Block compares to competitors, including TurboTax and TaxAct. See this list of H&R Block alternatives if you want something different.
Note: In this H&R Block tax review, we're focused on the online tax experience. H&R Block also offers downloadable tax software and in-person tax prep services. For most people, online filing is the best option.
Bonus: Right now, you can save on H&R Block Tax Software Products if you sign up and start through this link >>
Quick Summary
- One of the lower-priced "Premium" tier options
- The free tier includes child tax credit, student deductions, and retirement income
- Easy navigation and document import
H&R Block Online Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | H&R Block Online |
Federal Price | Starts at $0 |
State Price | Starts at $0 |
Preparation Type | Self-Prepared, Assisted, or Full Service |
Promotions | Varies |
H&R Block Online - Is It Really Free?
What's New For 2025?
Does H&R Block Make Tax Filing Easy In 2025?
H&R Block Top Features
H&R Block Drawbacks
H&R Block Online Prices And Plans
How Does H&R Block Stack Up To The Competition?
Is It Safe And Secure?
How Do I Contact H&R Block?
Where To Buy
H&R Block Promotions
Why Should You Trust Us?
Is It Worth It?
H&R Block Online Features
H&R Block Online - Is It Really Free?
H&R Block offers free Federal and State tax filing for a limited number of filers where you only have these common tax forms or situations. Free filing works for these forms and needs:
- W-2 income
- Unemployment income
- Social Security Income
- Retirement plan income
- Student Loan interest
- Child Tax Credit
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Interest Income
- Limited Investment Support
Anyone with more complex needs will have to upgrade to a paid tier. Basic interest and investment income are included in the free tier, as long as you don’t need to add a Schedule B.
Compared to the competition, H&R Block online offers one of the most robust free filing programs. However, H&R Block won’t be free for all users. For example, filers with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or who have dependent care expenses must upgrade to the Deluxe tier. Crypto traders, most investors, and business owners will need the Premium or Self-Employed tier.
You can also use the IRS Free File program, which offers free H&R Block and other tax software through a partnership with the Free File Alliance. This program is only available to those earning $73,000 or less annually (adjusted gross income) and meeting the provider's criteria.
See the full list of the best free tax software here >>
What's New For 2025?
Like all tax software providers, H&R Block makes updates to meet new and evolving tax needs, such as questions about student loan forgiveness for being able to participate in the program.
Important updates for this year include:
- Revised tax brackets, credits, and deductions due to inflation
- Updated 1099-K support for online sellers
- New rules for inherited IRAs and emergency withdrawals from retirement accounts
Last year, H&R Block added expanded support for bank account interest and limited investment needs in the free tier. Updates are also implemented to keep up with the tax code. COVID relief programs are mostly over, but we're still seeing a few benefits related to health insurance purchased through Healthcare.gov or a state marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
And like many other online companies this year, there is a big upsell push to get your to "let them handle your taxes". H&R block does have the most robust network of options - from online DIY, to assistance, to virtual tax prep, to drop-off at an office, and finally full in-office experiences. However, this push is most obvious at the beginning, when you're asked to make a choice right away:
Screenshot of choosing approach to taxes. Screenshot by The College Investor.
Does H&R Block Make Tax Filing Easy In 2025?
H&R Block uses sensible workflows to help filers complete their tax returns with minimal pain. It’s our second-favorite option for ease of use, and more affordable than TurboTax, which we rank as the easiest way to file online.
The following features make your tax prep straightforward so you can understand what you’ve completed and what remains.
- Questionnaires
- Guided software
- Navigation bars
- Built-in calculators
- Simple language
- Robust import options
Claiming common credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit is a streamlined process, though you may have to enter a few additional details to unlock those questionnaires.
The software also makes handling pre-refunded credits (such as the Advanced Child Tax Credit) and pre-paid taxes (such as quarterly tax estimates) easy.
Our testing revealed only a few drawbacks. First, self-employed people must independently determine their maximum retirement account contributions. Second, limited brokerage integrations compared to top competitor Turbo Tax and limited crypto integrations make the software more cumbersome for active traders.
Compared to all other tax software, we found H&R Block the second easiest tax software after TurboTax. However, a unique added benefit from H&R Block is that you can visit an H&R Block brick-and-mortar location if you want to convert to in-person tax preparation and support (for an extra cost).
H&R Block Top Features
H&R Block is a premium tax software with a long list of notable features. These are some of the most important features for typical users:
Easy Navigation
H&R Block uses a question-and-answer navigation style to help tax filers through their tax forms. The questions are free from confusing industry terminology when possible. When H&R Block uses jargon, it explains the terms through "Read More" bubbles or other hover features.
H&R Block Questions | Screenshot by The College Investor
Short Questionnaires To Expedite Filing
At the start of each major section (Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.), H&R Block prompts users with a short questionnaire. The questionnaire narrows down the parts of the software relevant to each user. You can always go back and review other sections, but it’s nice to save time skipping areas you don’t need to worry about.
Upload Tax Documents To Speed Up The Process
H&R Block is one of the easiest online filing software platforms. It allows users to upload many forms, including 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, W-2 forms, and much more. You can upload a copy to H&R Block if the form follows standard layouts. Aside from TurboTax, most competitors don’t offer this feature.
Users can take pictures of supported forms and upload them using the H&R Block mobile app or drag and drop them into H&R Block using their computer. The software reads the uploaded documents and fills out forms for you where possible. (But you should still double-check that it’s accurate.)
Robust Depreciation And Expense Calculators
H&R Block software contains easy-to-use calculators for mileage deductions, asset depreciation, and other expenses. These make filing easy for anyone who doesn’t want to calculate depreciation independently.
Small business owners, side hustlers, and real estate investors should be able to find what they need to get their taxes done without hiring an expensive accountant.
Free Live Chat Tech Support
H&R Block offers free live chat tech support on the Deluxe, Premium, and Self-Employed tiers. This is not the same as answering questions about your taxes. It is only for questions on how to use the software.
It also offers limited “tax guidance,” though this is not tax advice. The built-in free guidance helps users find credits, deductions, or other areas you may have missed. Like most competitors, you must pay an additional fee if you need more help from a human tax expert.
Option To Upgrade For Tax Support
H&R Block’s Online Assist program allows filers unlimited support from tax-filing experts. The add-on isn’t cheap, but it guarantees that users get the answers they need from a qualified tax expert. You can upgrade to plans where you get:
- Unlimited access for all tax questions
- Ability to hand off your tax return to a professional
- A hybrid experience with online and in-person tax services at a local H&R Block location, a unique feature you don't get with most other tax apps.
H&R Block Support Options | Screenshot by The College Investor.
H&R Block Drawbacks
H&R Block has only a few notable drawbacks. While the software is slightly less intuitive and flashy than TurboTax, it’s easy to navigate and use. The most significant drawbacks are related to cost and the few troubles we found below:
Can't Calculate Self-Employed Retirement Account Contributions
Self-employed individuals have flexibility in contributing to their retirement accounts. However, H&R Block doesn’t help calculate the maximum contribution amount for these filers, which could lead to an expensive tax error.
A tax filer may unwittingly contribute more than the maximum amount (or under-contribute), not realizing they have more room to save on taxes. This issue won’t affect more filers, but it is a surprising oversight given the quality of other sections of the online app.
Paid Version Required To Report HSA Contributions
One of H&R Block’s pricing gotchas is related to HSA contributions. If you have a health savings account (HSA), even if it is through your employer, you’ll have to upgrade to H&R Block’s Deluxe edition.
If you're eligible, check out our favorite HSA accounts here.
Limited Financial Institution Integrations
H&R Block does not include direct integrations with brokerages or crypto exchanges to calculate capital gains from trading activity. As a result, investors may require additional information to complete Schedule D forms. Particularly for active traders, typing in all trades can be time-consuming, cumbersome, and prone to manual errors.
For some financial institutions, the 1099 forms will be enough for H&R Block to complete the form entry for you, but that won’t always be the case. TurboTax supports direct integrations with many banks and brokerages to download tax info without manually entering the details yourself.
Audit Support Isn't Included By Default
H&R Block's Worry-Free Audit Support costs $19.99 in addition to the standard tax prep and filing cost. Several companies offer audit support as an included feature rather than an add-on product for an extra fee.
Related: Should You Pay For Audit Support For Your Taxes?
H&R Block Online Prices And Plans
H&R Block has been updated to offer a pricing structure similar to TurboTax, where you pay more for each additional level of support and four underlying pricing tiers.
The Online Assist plans from H&R Block include unlimited help from tax professionals such as CPAs or Enrolled Agents. These individuals can answer tax questions specific to your situation.
Prices are significantly higher than last year.
Bonus: Get 20% off H&R Block online by signing up through this link >>
Plan | Free Online | Deluxe | Premium | Self-Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Social Security Income, Student Loan Interest Deduction | Itemizers, HSA contributions, People with child care expenses | Landlords, investors, Gig workers (less than $5,000 in expenses) | Self-Employed People |
Federal Cost | $0 | $55 | $85 | $115 |
State Cost | $0 | $49 per state | $49 per state | $49 per state |
| START HERE | START HERE | START HERE | START HERE |
Note: Prices are subject to change, especially as it gets closer to the tax deadline. The earlier you start, the higher your likelihood of locking in better prices.
Prices for assisted and full-service filing are not shared online before signing up, and we don’t like this lack of transparency. Based on pricing transparency, we only recommend filing online if you think you can do it yourself and don’t need to upgrade.
How Does H&R Block Stack Up To The Competition?
H&R Block offers an impressive set of functionalities through its free pricing tier and is a winner for people seeking free filing if they qualify.
The Deluxe Tier is H&R Block’s worst value. Low-cost or free software from competitors can often help filers itemize deductions and claim straightforward credits.
The Premium tier is the best value for a paid product compared to H&R Block's competition. It supports rental properties, basic self-employment income and expenses, and all stock and crypto activity.
Users who don’t need H&R Block’s robust functionality may find that FreeTaxUSA or TaxSlayer offers the necessary functionality at lower costs.
H&R Block typically prices itself near the top end of the market, just behind TurboTax. Filers looking for a deal on H&R Block should lock in prices as soon as possible to get the lowest possible rates. Plus, you can receive a discount if you use this link.
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Rating | ||||
Stimulus Credit | Free+ | Free+ | Free | Free+ |
Unemployment Income | Free+ | Free+ | Free | Free+ |
Student Loan Interest | Free+ | Deluxe+ | Free | Free+ |
Import Last Year's Taxes | Free+ | Free+ | Free | Free+ |
Snap Pic of W2 | Free+ | Free+ (1099-MISC too) | N/A | N/A |
Multiple States | Free+ | Up to 5 | $12.95 per additional state | Classic+ |
Multiple W2s | Free+ | Free+ | Free | Free+ |
Earned Income Tax Credit | Free+ | Free+ | Free | Free+ |
Child Tax Credit | Free+ | Free+ | Free | Classic+ |
Dependent Care Deductions | Deluxe+ | Deluxe+ | Free | Classic+ |
HSAs | Deluxe+ | Deluxe+ | Free | Classic+ |
Retirement Contributions | Free+ | Free+ | Free | Free+ |
Retirement Income (SS, Pension, etc.) | Free+ | Free+ | Free | Free+ |
Interest Income | Free+ | Free+ (but limited) | Free | Classic+ |
Itemize | Deluxe+ | Deluxe+ | Free | Classic+ |
Dividend Income | Deluxe+ | Free+ (but limited) | Free | Classic+ |
Capital Gains | Premium+ | Premier+ | Free | Classic+ |
Rental Income | Premium+ | Premier+ | Free | Classic+ |
Self-Employment Income | Premium+ | Self-Employed | Free | Classic+ |
Audit Support | Add-On | Add-On | Deluxe ($6.99) | Premium+ |
Small Business Owner (over $5k in expenses) | Self-Employed | Self-Employed | Free | Classic+ |
Free Tier Price | $0 Fed, $0 State | $0* Fed, $0* State | $0 Fed, $14.99 State | $0 Fed, $0 State |
Deluxe Tier Price | $55 Fed, $49 State | DIY $69-129 Fed, $64 State | $6.99 Fed, $14.99 State | $37.95 Fed, $44.95 State |
Premium Tier Price | $85 Fed, $49 State | Live Assisted $89-$219 Fed, $69 State | N/A | $57.95 Fed, $44.95 State |
Self-Employed Tier Price | $115 Fed, $49 State | Full Service Starts at $129 Fed, $69 State | N/A | $67.95 Fed, $44.95 State |
| Cell | START NOW | READ REVIEW | READ REVIEW | READ REVIEW |
* TurboTax Free Edition: ~37% of taxpayers qualify. Form 1040 + limited credits only.
Is It Safe And Secure?
Tax Prep companies are prime targets for hackers seeking personal information. H&R Block employs industry-standard encryption, multi-factor authentication, and web-browsing encryption to protect users’ financial information.
However, the company is not perfect. In 2019, the company suffered a data breach in which some customer information was leaked. While generally trustworthy, its cybersecurity history leaves something to be desired. You may want to look elsewhere if you're ultra-concerned about data security.
Contact
One of the reasons we like H&R Block is the many ways you can get help, including online, by phone, or by having a tax preparer prepare your tax return virtually. You can also visit one of H&R Block's many physical locations.
To contact H&R Block by phone, call 1-800-472-5625. To visit the office in person, you can schedule an appointment here.
Where To Buy
We recommend that everyone who uses tax software use the online version rather than buying a disk or downloading and installing it on a home computer. You're more likely to lose your data on your home computer, whereas if you use the online version, it’s always saved and accessible in the cloud if your computer crashes.
With that in mind, here's where you can buy H&R Block Tax Software.
H&R Block Online: H&R Block online is typically the easiest way to buy H&R Block tax software. You can start for free online, and the software will assign you to the tier you need to complete your taxes. Or you can jump right into whichever version you need. Plus, you can save 20% on H&R Block Tax Software Products if you go through this link >>
Amazon: Amazon has rotating promotions for H&R Block where you can get the full version of H&R Block at a discount. Plus, they're offering an Amazon 2% refund bonus if you opt to have your federal individual tax refund purchase an Amazon.com giftcard. If you use the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa, you always get 5% cash back on Amazon purchases, including tax software. Check out H&R Block on Amazon here.
Retail Stores: H&R Block tax software is also available in some retail stores, suchas Target, Walmart, Costco, and Office Depot. It typically appears on store shelves from late December through April.
H&R Block Promotions
H&R Block currently offers a 20% off promotion when you buy directly from H&R Block using this link. You may pay more if you buy elsewhere.
Why Should You Trust Us?
The College Investor team spent years reviewing all of the top tax filing options, and our team has personal experience with the majority of tax software tools. I have been the lead tax software reviewer since 2022 and have compared most of the major companies on the marketplace.
Our editor-in-chief, Robert Farrington, has been trying and testing tax software tools since 2011 and has tried almost every tax filing product. Furthermore, our team has created reviews and video walk-throughs of all of the major tax preparation companies, which you can find on our YouTube channel.
We’re tax DIYers and want a good deal, just like you. We work hard to offer informed and honest opinions on every product we test.
How Was This Product Tested?
In our original tests, we went through H&R Block Online and completed a real-life tax return that included W-2 income, self-employment income, rental property income, and investment income. We tried to enter every piece of data and use every feature available. We then compared the result to all the other products we've tested, as well as a tax return prepared by a tax professional.
This year, we went back through and re-checked all the features we originally tested, as well as any new features. We also validated the pricing options.
Is It Worth It?
H&R Block Online deserves to be on the shortlist for those who qualify for free filing. It is a premium software, but the free offering is extensive. Also, the Premium edition of the software offers good value for investors and gig workers.
However, users considering the middle tier (Deluxe Tier) should think carefully before paying the price. Deluxe users may find a better (and equally usable bargain) by considering TaxSlayer Classic or FreeTaxUSA. These tools are also a good alternative for self-employed people with depreciating business assets.
Landlords and others with depreciating assets should also consider whether H&R Block is the right tool for the job. TurboTax offers a superior user experience for rental property owners, which is important given the complexity of property depreciation and other financial needs.
Check out H&R Block here >>
H&R Block Online FAQs
Here are some common questions about H&R Block online:
Can H&R Block Online help me file my crypto investments?
H&R Block Online has instructions that carefully explain how users can file taxes on their cryptocurrency trades. However, the software treats it like other capital gains activities. There are no special integrations to make crypto filing easier.
Does H&R Block offer refund advance loans?
New for 2024 taxes (filed in 2025), H&R Block offers the Emerald Advance Loan for up to $1,300. You must apply by 12/31/2024 if you’re interested in this offering.
Does H&R Block offer any deals on refunds?
At this time, H&R Block is not advertising deals on refunds. Historically, the company has partnered with Amazon to offer boosted returns for people accepting refunds as gift cards. This may return later in the season.
Do I have to use the self-employed tier for my side hustle?
Most side hustlers and people with minimal business expenses can find their tax liability using the Premium level. The Premium level is less expensive than the Self-Employed tier but supports “simplified” expenses, including expenses of less than $5,000. Filers still get to claim the Qualified Business Income Deduction on this tier.
Is H&R Block better than TurboTax?
It depends. We found H&R Block to be better for price and very good for usability. TurboTax does offer one of the easiest-to-use interfaces, though, which can make tax filing easier and quicker.
H&R Block Online Features
Here are the main features available by plan level.
Plan | Free | Deluxe | Premium | Self-Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Earned Income Credit (EITC) | ||||
Student Loan Interest Deduction | ||||
Retirement Income | ||||
Digital Document Storage (Up to 6 Years) | ||||
Live Tech Support (Phone or Chat) | ||||
HSA | ||||
1099 Income | ||||
Investments | ||||
Rental Properties | ||||
Small Biz Expense Deductions | ||||
Small Biz Asset Depreciation |
Editor: Robert Farrington
Reviewed by: Colin Graves
The post H&R Block Tax Software Review: Pros, Cons, And Alternatives appeared first on The College Investor.
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