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Monday, February 10th
If you're looking for a service that offers face-to-face help rather than strictly completing the filing process online yourself, H&R Block may be worth checking out. H&R Block offers you the flexibility to work with a tax pro or file taxes totally on your own, so you can get as much (or as little) assistance as you need. This financial institution has been around since 1955, when H&R Block was founded specifically to help people simplify their taxes.
DIY and pro help for your taxes
There are three ways to complete your taxes with H&R Block. You can prepare your taxes yourself online without any help. The approach is self-paced, but ideal only for simple returns (those based on Form 1040). This option is the only free approach at H&R Block. The next tier is a filing option where you do most of the work, but you get more expert help. This is ideal for most complex tax situations with options for deductions, investments, and self-employed filings. The final option is to pay for a tax pro at H&R Block to do the entire thing for you. You can choose from meeting online or in person. If you've worked with H&R Block before, you can ask for the same tax professional over and over (or request someone new if you weren't happy with your service previously).
Some issues with registration
Getting started at H&R Block is simple. You just need to choose one of the three tiers. You'll be asked to create an account; however, there are some issues if you have a browser with extensions or use a VPN. You may not be allowed to continue with your account creation, which can be frustrating. Try changing browsers or using a new email if you have issues. During our research, we were unable to register for H&R Block on Firefox or Microsoft Edge (even though we were using no VPN and only had browser extensions on Firefox). Resolution to this issue may require calling H&R Block's customer service. Once you get past the problems with registration, you'll be asked to confirm your email and your phone number before selecting one of the pricing tiers.
Pricing from $0 to $150 for filing
When you go through the process of filing out questions, H&R Block will tell you how much your taxes are going to cost. The official prices are $0 if you have a simple tax filing, starting at $35 for self-filing, and starting at $89 for filings prepared by a professional. During our research, we found that these prices can jump quickly. For example, when we selected "self-employed”, the price immediately jumped to $85 for the self-filing tier. If you were just a freelance worker or contractor, this cost is $35. If you want a pro to do the work, H&R Block offered us that service at $65 more than the quoted price for DIY. So, expect to pay between $90 to $150 for pro assistance on a freelance filing.
Two guarantees for satisfaction
H&R Block offers a guarantee that you'll receive 20% off next year's tax preparation if the company fails to provide any of its included benefits in the No Surprise Guarantee. These include upfront and transparent prices, a transparent preparation process, free audit assistance, and free mid-year check-in. H&R Block also offers a refund guarantee that states if you find an error in the H&R Block tax prep software, they will refund the software fees to you and you'll be allowed a free return to amend the errors.
Big business with zero customer service
H&R Block holds a solid "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the news isn't great on third-party review sites. H&R Block currently holds a dismal 1.3-star average on Trustpilot. Most recent reviews complain about the customer service. Some customers claim that H&R Block submitted tax returns without the signature of the taxpayer, and tons of reviewers complained that they were overcharged for the pro service. Some reviews quoted tax preparation costs over $300. In general, you can expect to get no replies to questions if you decide to try and do your taxes yourself. Trustpilot reviewers frequently use the word "horrible” to summarize their experiences with H&R Block.
Not worth the high costs
Despite H&R Block being one of the bigger companies out there for tax preparation, it isn't a favorite with customers. So, even with an "A+” from the BBB, we're deeply concerned about the reviews that show poor or no customer service as well as steep charges for assistance with your taxes. For these reasons, along with the limitations of the free filing, H&R Block earns one of the lowest ratings in our review. It seems safer to file with a site that cares more about its customers and provides more assistance for the price. There's really no need to overpay for preparing your tax return; it's stressful enough as it is.
Let's face it: tax season is nobody's favorite time of the year. Whether you're a W-2 employee or an independent contractor, taxes are a source of stress every spring. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Tax preparation services are there to ease the process (and are particularly helpful if you own your own business).
So, what do tax preparation services actually do? Most services offer planning to understand your tax situation and filing. You may receive preparation of your actual return, or advice on different aspects of your taxes like individual tax returns, estate tax planning, personal financial planning, deductions, property tax assessments, tax credit reviews, and more. The tax advisor (individual or website) can make taxes make sense and help you avoid many of the pitfalls.
A few years ago, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) estimated that there were around 1.2 million paid tax preparers available in the US. Tax preparation can be completed by a range of licensed agents, accountants, or businesses who can take the weight of tax season off your shoulders.
The most important thing about finding a tax preparation service is to make sure you work with one you trust. The three best professional credentials to look for include Enrolled Agents (or entities), who are licensed directly by the IRS and must pass an examination to demonstrate their understanding of federal tax planning, individual and business taxes, and representing you properly; Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who have studied finance at a university and passed charter exams and requirements for accounting; and, Attorneys who are licensed by state courts and have passed a bar exam in financial law.
Now, keep in mind, there will be fees for using most tax preparation services, but these will be minimal compared to the high fines and charges from the IRS if you make a mistake on your return. For even small errors on your taxes, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in fines. A one-time fee for a tax preparation service is no sweat in comparison. Most tax preparation and filing costs between $30 to $500 (though some really comprehensive services cost more), so you'll want to make sure you know what you need before you start.
If you're ready to simplify tax season, but don't know which service to choose, we've put together some factors that can help you find the best tax preparation service for your financial situation:
To help you find the best service to get your return filed this tax season, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top tax preparation services out there today. Take the stress out of tax season and hand the nitty-gritty details over to an expert (or enjoy a guided DIY approach that is as simple as a step-by-step guide). After that, you just need to sit back, relax, and wait for those lovely tax returns!
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