Google offers:$10 for $30 toward H&R Block online version

i started with HR, i get back 1k. i started with turbotax, i'm getting back 3900.... hmmmm decisions decisions...

i mean.. this is slickdeals right? you people are willing to kill someone over a couple bucks (me too i guess), but you guys don't try multiple tax filing sites?!?!?! it can make a HUUUUUGE difference....

before anyone drops the $10 on this, they should try HR for free, as well as TT for free... you don't need to pay anything until you click the last 'finalize' button.

Quote from tombrom : I would be almost positive that any difference btw TT and HR Block would be due to human error or a transposition error. At present, HR Block Premium is $49.95 less $20 effective disc = $30, which is what Amazon has it for on download. Am I missing something?

have you actually tried it? my self and the user above both did and we're seeing roughly ~$3k difference.

7.5% back with e*bates

I try TT, HR and Tax Act and Tax Slayer every year to make sure I am not missing out on anything.. Approx same return on all. No thanks. I will stick with Tax Act/Slayer. ~20 bucks for both fed and state. 45$ will be the most I ever spent on tax software.

If you know what you are doing there shouldn't be much (any) difference irrespective of what software you use. Granted, the more expensive ones make it convenient with auto W2s and trade statements.

Note the "online" version of H&R returns are not able to be imported into the full, software download version of H&R software.

Also note, all versions charge extra if you want to e-file your State return (even the Download/Premium/deluxe, etc)

Quote from imsuperbored : have you actually tried it? my self and the user above both did and we're seeing roughly ~$3k difference.

No, but I was an auditor, and sometimes even I have double checked and double checked something and when I reconciled the ledger or whatever if was usually staring me in the face as a transposition error . Where is the difference showing up? Have you isolated what it was exactly? Not saying that it might not be a bug but I would be very surprised that they would come up with 2 different figures.

I have tried both, but not simultaneously and did find TT slightly more user friendly. The other possible explaination is that the item in question is "subject to interpretation" and one software takes a more conservative stance on it. For instance, some people call a roof replacement a repair, when others would call it capital replacement.

What it proves probably is that the tax system is overly complex and should be overhauled.

Quote from mr7rizt4n : i started with HR, i get back 1k. i started with turbotax, i'm getting back 3900.... hmmmm decisions decisions... i mean.. this is slickdeals right? you people are willing to kill someone over a couple bucks (me too i guess), but you guys don't try multiple tax filing sites?!?!?! it can make a HUUUUUGE difference.... before anyone drops the $10 on this, they should try HR for free, as well as TT for free... you don't need to pay anything until you click the last 'finalize' button.

You really need to isolate what the difference is and perhaps consult a professional, because you are still ultimately responsible for what you submit. Just because one is a bigger refund, doesn't make that the correct one

45 bucks is crazy expensive. go with taxact it is 12-14 bucks for fed+state

Quote from tombrom : No, but I was an auditor, and sometimes even I have double checked and double checked something and when I reconciled the ledger or whatever if was usually staring me in the face as a transposition error . Where is the difference showing up? Have you isolated what it was exactly? Not saying that it might not be a bug but I would be very surprised that they would come up with 2 different figures. I have tried both, but not simultaneously and did find TT slightly more user friendly. The other possible explaination is that the item in question is "subject to interpretation" and one software takes a more conservative stance on it. For instance, some people call a roof replacement a repair, when others would call it capital replacement. What it proves probably is that the tax system is overly complex and should be overhauled.

Well I also called in an inquired about the tax credit i was looking for (8936/8834 electric car) and the H&R Block CS person told me to go into their b&m office and have my taxes done there, as the software doesn't even inquire about car purchase/current car credits.

While turbo tax had the form incorporated within the software. (as this is one of their adverts "latest tax laws/credits/blah")

again this might be a weird edge case, however, it would appear more likely than not, H&R Tax software is poor/crippled relative to other tax software available.

Quote from dealmaster00 : 45 bucks is crazy expensive. go with taxact it is 12-14 bucks for fed+state

True. I've used TaxAct for years and it's worked out great!

I would concur with the original post. If you are seeing thousands of dollars difference between the two programs, it is most likely due to human error.

Quote from imsuperbored : have you actually tried it? my self and the user above both did and we're seeing roughly ~$3k difference.

I'm a tax newbie. Is it better usually to use a do it yourself tax program than to have to shell out to someone?

Quote from rj124104 : I'm a tax newbie. Is it better usually to use a do it yourself tax program than to have to shell out to someone?

I'm 26, and this is my opinion/experience. Personally, I don't have a whole lot to report - single, no dependents, don't own a home yet, relatively standard investments (Roth, savings account, and an empty stock trading account), one income source (my employer). I find the web software to be very easy to use.

For simple returns - meaning a W-2 from employer, maybe some student loan interest, a few simple investments (perhaps savings account, typical retirement savings like an IRA) - the software is a good way to go.

If you've got more complicated returns, such as those with many different types of incomes (rental income comes to mind, obv more) and a variety of deductions (relating to tax credits, home ownership, dependents, etc, etc) you may be better speaking to a tax adviser or paying for a 'deluxe' version of the software. You can use the software, but as mentioned before the thread, certain expenditures will be viewed differently by different pieces of software.

Also, I don't trust the software's automatic "audit" feature. When I first graduated, I didn't know how to handle me being employed and a being a full-time student in the same year. There was one deduction in particular (don't remember exactly which) that the software and my parents' long-time accountant had different opinions on what was kosher.

TL;DR In my opinion, if there's something you're not 100% sure about while using the software, get professional advice. I always feel like the software will let you get away with more than might be "safe". A tax professional is a better tool than software for complicated issues. That said, for simple returns, online/software works just fine. I've used TT the last 2 years without a problem.

And I know I stated this, but I'm 26. My opinion is nothing more than that and only from my very limited personal experience. There are obviously people more qualified to talk about this type of thing than I am, but I figured I'd share anyway

Quote from imsuperbored : Well I also called in an inquired about the tax credit i was looking for (8936/8834 electric car) and the H&R Block CS person told me to go into their b&m office and have my taxes done there, as the software doesn't even inquire about car purchase/current car credits. While turbo tax had the form incorporated within the software. (as this is one of their adverts "latest tax laws/credits/blah") again this might be a weird edge case, however, it would appear more likely than not, H&R Tax software is poor/crippled relative to other tax software available.

When I have used H&R block in the past, it has asked about vehicles, etc.