H&R Block 2018 Tax Software Sale: Deluxe 2018 Federal + State Expired

Copy pasting a comment in the previous thread from user: hizzledizzle.

CAREFUL ON WHAT VERSION YOU BUY

NOTE: ALL THIS APPLIES TO THE DOWNLOADABLE OR CD VERSIONS. THE ONLINE PAID VERSION OF DELUXE APPEARS NOT TO HAVE SCHEDULE C

Block is doing some shady marketing to push people to the more expensive versions they may not need. Basically ignore the comparison chart go to the version page and see what forms it supports for the true picture. If it has all the forms listed you need, it will do your taxes. . See below for more detailed explanation.

Every year we get good intentioned members here on SD that do not understand this recommending higher versions based on the chart. It costs other members unnecessary expense
Lot of misinformation on what version will do what bouncing around and I hope I can clear it up a little.

H&R Black is doing a little semi shady marketing to try to get you to get use a higher level version. The Chart comparing versions is almost worthless. Forget the chart they show, instead on the version comparison chart page, click on the different versions and see the supported forms link to get a true picture of what each version will handle. If it supports the forms you need it will work for you. The higher versions may add some feature or guidance that they stress in the chart. The chart makes it appear you may need the next higher version when you don't.

A good example of this is that the chart is causing the confusion and makes it seem Deluxe will not do Schedule C or self employment income.

From the chart for the Premium version this is checked.

This feature is unchecked on the chart for Deluxe.

This makes it appear that Deluxe does't do Schedule C and Premium does. Not true, it is just an added feature that will make it easier for you to find deductions supposedly. May be another interview section, or ask you some questions along the line of did you spend anything on this type of expense. It's generally not very useful, if you have any idea of what your deductions are, the Deluxe Schedule C walk-through is included and will guide you right through.

From the supported forms page. for the Deluxe version we see it does do Schedule C

Form 1040 Individual Income Tax Return
Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement
Form 1098 Mortgage Interest Statement
Form 1098-E Student Loan Interest
Form 1098-T Tuition Payment
Form 1099-DIV Dividends and Distributions Income
Form 1099-G Certain Government Payments
Form 1099-INT Interest Income
Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income
Form 1099-R Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement, or Profit Sharing
Form 2441 Child and Dependent Care Credit
Form 8863 Education Credits
Form 8917 Tuition and Fees Deduction
Schedule A Itemized Deductions
Schedule B Interest and Dividends
Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business
Schedule C-EZ Net Profit from Business
Schedule D Capital Gains and Losses
Schedule EIC Earned Income Credit
Schedule SE Self-Employment Tax
Schedule 8812 Additional Child Tax Credit

NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE FULL LIST. See below for the FULL LIST

Schedule C is handled fine by Deluxe

Deluxe works fine for me. I itemize, am self employed and file a Schedule C, wife receives a W2 from her company, have capital gains, IRA, SEP 401K, stocks etc. In other words a fairly complicated return and Deluxe handles my situation.

Here is the full list of supported forms and you will see that unless you have a very complicated return or some obscure form that is needed Deluxe will most likely work for you. Don't fall for shady marketing and save some money.

Premium does include state