The below only applies to the Download and Retail versions (both the "Digital Download" and the "Key Card" are the same version and both must be downloaded, the only difference is the delivery method of the product key). The Block Online packages of the same name have limited forms compared to the download version.
There is much confusion about versions as to what does what and I thought I'd post this to try to clear things up. Many believe that you need Premium or better if you are self employed or have rental income. That is not true. Self employment income and even LLCs along with rental income can be done with Deluxe or Basic. If you get to, corporations, Scorps and Partnerships you will need true business versions
Many mistakenly believe based on the charts and wording that Block puts out that you need Premium for things such as Schedule C, D & E. Deluxe handles all those forms but if you go by a chart or version picker on Block's site you will be guided to the higher version.
Block likes to upsell you on the versions and there are almost outright deceptive marketing, wording and charts that cause much confusion about what version does what. Deluxe or even Basic will do the vast majority of returns even quite complicated ones. They all support the same forms. The only difference is in the amount of guidance and extra features you get.
Some free options to try first...
https://www.freetaxusa.
https://irs.treasury.go
https://myfreetaxes.com/
https://cash.app/taxes
https://www.olt.com/
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Here's my history for Deluxe without State, including tax:
2021 - $14.93
2022 - $16.00
2023 - $19.20
Prior to 2021 I had to buy the Premium version, so that's less useful to compare.
In fact, all versions Basic, Deluxe and Premium have and fill in the exact same forms. The only difference is in the amount of guidance you get. I have never found deluxe to lack any guidance to do any business income and expenses. It does everything from depreciation, business vehicle expenses, to the home office deduction and has more than enough guidance.
You can parrot what the marketers say and link to misleading marketing materials or you can listen to somebody that knows. This comes up every year and I warn people of it every year and even created Wiki that explains the situation.
This all caused me great concern one year when I saw people saying here on SD that Deluxe does not do Schedule C. I had already purchased a boxed version as I had been using Deluxe for many years to do my taxes and thought they had made some change. Long story short the only thing that changed was their marketing strategy, the software did just as it had all the previous years.
Not trying to be rude but please don't come out swinging like that when you are sharing misleading information supplied by the people that want our money that you have not researched and verified yourself. This is SD and it is supposed to be for the consumer, we don't share misinformation that makes other members pay more for something that is not needed.
I can understand it and excuse it as Block does its best to make you think you need a higher version when you don't but as a SD member and supposed smart consumer you have the responsibility to find out for yourself and not take a salesman's word for it before you start spreading misinformation that can cost somebody else. I am not worried about an apology, but it would be a courtesy to everybody that may be new here to get your post down as to not have somebody in these tight times be wasting money.
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"File with H&R Block Online Deluxe (if you have no expenses) or H&R Block Online Premium (if you have expenses)."
When I had a side business I went with the Premium version. I definitely had expenses.
I can never get a clear answer for this... best I've heard is that Deluxe does include Schedule C, but Premium (as well as the "Premium + Business") has a better questionnaire to claim the deductions.
If anyone has actually compared both versions and is in a similar situation, would love to hear.
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