H&R Block's DIY filing options are less expensive than TurboTax across the board and edged out TurboTax in our overall ratings. While TurboTax offers an engaging user experience, H&R Block's online tax interface is more straightforward, cleaner, and less distracting.
Both H&R Block and TurboTax allow you to switch from a different software provider and import tax documents. And both have tools to help you calculate the deduction value of donated items, as well as a mobile app.
The best TurboTax alternative is FreeTaxUSA. It offers tax filing at zero or minimal charges. Plus, it gives many options for tax deductions that most of the software offered at much higher prices. Other alternatives include H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, Credit Karma Tax, Liberty Tax, and IRS.
H&R Block is great for the average filer. You can file both your federal and state tax returns with as little as $29.99 (not including the Free File option through the IRS). Because it's so easy to use, it's worth paying a slightly higher fee than competitors like Intuit's TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA.
Or, if you're ready, get started filing your simple returns with H&R Block Free Online. Here's a sample of the forms or situations that H&R Block Free Online includes that TurboTax Free Edition doesn't: Tuition and Fees Statement (Form 1098-T) Education credits (Form 8863)
Pay for TurboTax out of your federal refund: A $39 Refund Processing Service fee applies to this payment method.
TurboTax is generally pricier than everything else out there, but even though confident filers may not need all the bells and whistles that most TurboTax online products offer, many people will find the experience and the availability of human help worth the extra cost.
TurboTax is the most expensive option for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It's especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration.
How much does H&R Block's tax service cost? H&R Block offers a free online tax-filing program that includes simple federal and state tax returns. If you need to upgrade based on your tax situation, you'll pay $49.99 to $109.99 to complete a federal return, and $36.99 for each state tax return.
TurboTax may be more widely recognized, but TaxAct is a fierce competitor with its free tax help.
The eFile.com Tax App is tested by the IRS each year, thus we guarantee you 100% tax calculation accuracy and the biggest tax refund allowed by law on any tax return prepared and filed on eFile.com and accepted by the IRS. Period.
100% Accurate Calculations Guarantee: If you pay an IRS or state penalty or interest because of a TurboTax calculation error, we'll pay you the penalty and interest.
The most popular version is TurboTax Deluxe, for $59 plus $49 per state. Those with more complex investments may need the $89 Premier version, while self-employed business owners will need the top $119 Self-Employed edition.
Handy features. You can switch from another provider: H&R Block can import last year's return from a TurboTax data file or from a PDF of your tax return from any provider.
Anyone with a relatively complicated tax situation can benefit from hiring a professional. If you own a business, for example, and have lots of different expenses to deduct, it may be worth paying someone who can help you navigate your return, maximize the tax breaks you're entitled to, and avoid errors.
According to the National Society of Accountants' 2018–2019 Income and Fees Survey, the average tax preparation fee for a tax professional to prepare a Form 1040 and state return with no itemized deductions is $188. Itemizing deductions bumps the average fee by more than $100 to $294.
TurboTax charges up to $119 for federal tax filing ($49 per state) for its highest “do-it-yourself tax” package. Other programs, such as TaxSlayer, charge up to $47.95 for federal tax filing ($36.95 per state) for a similar package. Along with its easy-to-use platform, TurboTax has excellent customer service options.
You can avoid all of these mistakes and more by e-filing your return using tax software such as TurboTax. According to the IRS , the error rate for paper returns is 21%, compared with less than 1% among e-filed returns. So, take human error out of the equation and e-file whenever possible.
Most people choose to use the online service. TurboTax reported that 80% of the returns it handled came from its online products. When you have a choice between buying the software you install on your computer and paying to use the service online, you are better off buying the software download.
Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, has agreed to pay out $141 million after it “cheated millions of low-income Americans out of free tax filing services,” in the words of New York Attorney General Letitia James. Most of that money will go to consumers that were tricked into paying for its service.
The IRS says it takes the average person about 13 hours to file From 1040 or 1040-SR. 7 If you don't have the time to spare, using a preparer is the better choice. Tax preparation fees vary widely, depending on the preparer's credentials, the complexity of your return, and your geographic location.