Naomi Antonino/CNET
H&R Block compares well with our top pick, TurboTax, and it shines in its Free Online version, which covers simple returns as well as deductions for student loans and tuition fees — a perfect fit for filers without complicated tax situations who also want educational tax breaks.
While not as smooth as TurboTax, H&R Block features a well-designed, interview-style system that helps users sidestep potential mistakes. Help screens and FAQs are comprehensive, though not as easy to access.
H&R Block’s Online Assist — an add-on that costs $40 for Free Online and Deluxe and $60 for Premium and Self-Employed — provides virtual tax assistance from a professional online, including screen sharing to show exactly where you’re stuck.
A nifty photo capture lets you quickly upload your W-2 to H&R Block and get your tax return rolling. Its online software also lets you upload files like multiple 1099 forms, schedules A and C, gifts to charity and medical expenses, among a list of many items.
One big appeal of H&R Block is the existence of brick-and-mortar offices. If you decide midway through your online tax return that you’d rather not do it yourself, H&R Block has about 9,000 offices across the US to set up an appointment or drop off your taxes for a professional to complete.
Learn more in our full H&R Block review for 2022
Pricing*
Free to $85 for federal$37 for state$39 or more for live support
*Get unlimited help from live tax experts starting at $39 and an additional fee for state taxes.
