H&R Block vs Tax Slayer for January 2025 | Tax Preparation Services

Item: H&R Block vs Tax Slayer
Rating: 4.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Wednesday, January 22nd

2025 Tax Preparation Service Reviews

H&R Block

Free to file simple federal and state returns
$54.99 for Deluxe returns (HSA contributors, child/dependent care expenses, itemized deductions)
$74.99 for Premium returns (rental income, investments, sold cryptocurrency)
$114.99 for Self-Employed returns (contractors, gig workers; asset depreciation, vehicle/home office expenses)
$44.99 for each state return
Easy to import documents
In-person and virtual assistance available for a fee (starting at $69.99)
Many guarantees: transparent pricing, transparent process, free audit assistance, free mid-year care check-in, maximum refund, 100% accuracy, 100% satisfaction
Over 250,000 five-star ratings

H&R Block offers a wide range of options for online tax preparation, whether you are confident enough to do everything on your own or you decide to get some advice from a professional. From free filing of basic federal and state returns to affordable packages for the self-employed, H&R Block is a logical choice for doing your taxes online.

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Tax Slayer

$0 for Simply Free (basic federal + one state return)
$19.95 for Classic (suitable for most federal tax situations)
$39.95 for Premium (includes Ask a Tax Pro, live chat, skip-the-line phone/email support)
$49.95 for Self-Employed (personal/business income, 1099, Schedule C)
$39.95 for each state return
Free, unlimited phone and email support on every return
Guaranteed maximum refund
100% accuracy guarantee
In business for over 50 years
"A+” rated and accredited by the BBB

Tax Slayer has moved up in our rankings since our last review: they've improved access to customer support, and it's included for free with every tier of service. Basic federal AND state returns can be filed at no cost here, though you'll pay more for state filing on other return types when compared with Tax Slayer's rivals. Still, it's nice to have a company that's been around for over 50 years and that has helped millions of people to get their taxes filed online. Tax Slayer is a good choice for online tax preparation.

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Which Online Tax Preparation Service is the Best?

Not very long ago, taxpayers had to sift through mounds of confusing paperwork to file their taxes, or hire an expensive professional tax preparer. Today, though, things are different. In fact, more than 53 million people use online tax services to prepare and file their returns online.

There are many benefits to using online tax preparation services, including convenience, accuracy, and the ability to easily access and review your tax information. In most cases, using online tax prep platforms is faster and easier than doing your taxes by hand. And it's certainly cheaper than hiring a CPA.

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What are the best Tax Preparation Services

Tax Preparation Service FAQ

How do online tax preparation services work?

Online Tax preparation services walk you through a series of questions, much like you'd get with a human tax preparer: are you married, do you have a mortgage, and so on. The program fills in your tax forms based on the answers you provide, and at the end your return is ready for filing. Tax preparation services allow you to file your returns electronically, but you always have the option to file them by mail.

Can I do my taxes online or do I need to download/buy software?

That's up to you! Almost every tax preparation platform today makes it possible to do your entire return online, no downloads or CD-ROMs necessary. But, if you prefer to do it the more old-school way, you can still find tax preparation services that download to your computer and let you work offline.

How do I know which tax preparation service I need?

That depends on several factors. The more complicated your financial situation, the more likely it is that you'll need a tax preparation service that goes beyond the basics. Most tax preparation services will walk you through the options and recommend the right product for your needs.

Can I use online tax preparation services for both federal and state returns?

Yes, most of the time. Many services will take the information you entered during your federal return and carry it over into your applicable state return. Keep in mind that you may have to pay extra for your state's online tax service. You can opt to file your federal return electronically (often included at no extra charge) and file your state return by mail if you wish.

How much do online tax preparation services cost?

For the most basic tax returns (those that only have W2 income, no investments, no mortgage interest to deduct), some tax preparation services are completely free. Otherwise, you can expect costs ranging from $19 - $120, with the most expensive packages for those who have self-employment/business income and expenses to report.

What if I have a question or I need help?

You'll often find answers built right into the tax preparation service. Look for a button to click on the page where you're having trouble, for explanations and additional info. If you'd like to get help from a tax professional, you might be able to connect with someone by phone or online (though that may incur extra charges). A few online tax preparation services have in-person options if you get stuck and want a tax preparer to take over or just want to go over your return face-to-face.

What if I make a mistake on my return?

The good news is that your tax preparation service will likely have a robust detection method for uncovering any errors you may have made. Of course, it can't tell if you entered the wrong numbers for your income, but if it spots anything obviously wrong you'll get a notification and a prompt to review that part of your return. If you file your taxes and later realize there was an error, you can file an amended return.

What happens if I get audited?

Getting an audit notification can be scary! Depending on which tax preparation service you use, you might have audit support and guidance built into your package. Some services also offer full audit representation for an additional fee.

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Additionally, many online tax preparation services offer a variety of helpful tools and resources, such as calculators and guides, to make the process as simple as possible. Some even offer live support from tax professionals to help you with any questions or issues that may arise. Overall, online tax preparation can be a convenient and efficient way to handle your taxes.

While online tax services can save you a lot of time and stress by staying up-to-date on each change made by the IRS, not all tax services are the same. The best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It's helpful to research and compare the different tax services to determine which one is the best fit for you.

Here are some criteria that you should use to narrow down the options:

Ease of use. Is the website difficult to navigate, or does it clearly walk you through all the steps of preparing your tax return?
Multiple filing options. Most online tax preparation services give you several tiers of service, starting with free-to-file and going up to more complicated returns (for example, if you're self-employed). You'll also want to see if there are options for both federal and state filing, if that applies to you.
Customer support. Is it important to you to have the ability to meet with a tax preparer in person at some point during the process? How quickly can you get help via phone, online chat, or face-to-face?
Value. What will you get for the fees you pay? Are there any extras included that make the service more valuable than its rivals?
Reputation. What do other taxpayers say about their experience with the tax preparation service? Did their returns get accepted quickly and without errors?

To help you get your taxes filed accurately and affordably, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked today's most popular online tax preparation services. We're sure this information will make it less stressful to get your federal and state returns taken care of (and hopefully well before April 15th!).