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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Besides you can do you taxes for the price of a stamp the forms are given out freely. There are multiple free service services both private and public that will do your taxes for free anyway. Setting up the IRS to calculate taxes is not going to be free and as with all things government the cost will increase, and the taxpayer will pay.
Why would I worry about a measly discretionary twenty bucks a year when I calculate I am out about 3 million in retirement savings that the IRS took from me under threat of imprisonment. You really consider the $20 a threat to the working people and that three million losses not a problem.
If we look at government greed and the debt it places on all of us, we see that every single person in America has to pony up $101,000 and here you are terrified that we might choose to spend $20 on something we want.
You want to see scary number and uncaring waste and corruption at the highest levels look what these people are taking from the people of our country under force and pissing it away who knows where. https://www.usdebtclock
You can see more of how that will impoverish American citizens for generations.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/16/po...index.html.
"If you think that that doesn't matter, just ask the next generation and tell them what they'd be facing if we don't deal with it. In a few decades, interest costs will take up 50% of federal revenue. Imagine living in that time period. You're a young person starting their career and half of their tax dollars are going to pay for things that prior generations refused to pay for themselves. To me, it's actually an intergenerational justice issue and a moral issue, which is: How do we want to leave America to our future generations? This is not a fictional thing. A billion dollars a day in interest today is not a fiction – the CBO report, I think, it's $9 trillion in interest over the next 10 years."
I am understanding that deluxe appears to have all the provisions as premium with less guidance. But if I have to file state taxes, do I have to get deluxe + state, or is plain delux capable of doing it with less guidance?
That includes those that are self-employed, renting homes and those getting 1099s. Deluxe even does single member LLCs which is a form of incorporation but legally set up as pass-through income and is done on a Schedule C.
See the attached screenshots form my installed version and you can see that any and all income is handled as long as it is not incorporated business income.
I can't keep up answering all questions and you can see by reading the thread that other members here that have sense have confirmed what I say as true, don't let a few goofballs that do not know what they are talking about, or Block's marketing confuse you.
Attachment 14747782Attachment 14747785Attachment 14747788Attachment 14747791
That includes those that are self-employed, renting homes and those getting 1099s. Deluxe even does single member LLCs which is a form of incorporation but legally set up as pass-through income and is done on a Schedule C.
See the attached screenshots form my installed version and you can see that any and all income is handled as long as it is not incorporated business income.
I can't keep up answering all questions and you can see by reading the thread that other members here that have sense have confirmed what I say as true, don't let a few goofballs that do not know what they are talking about, or Block's marketing confuse you.
Attachment 14747782Attachment 14747785Attachment 14747788Attachment 14747791
Is it worth pulling the trigger now or waiting to see if you can save a few more $ or getting something bundled with it for free?
I recall the lowest prices being in late Feb or early Mar. I prefer to submit my return in early February.
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Thanks!!
Have no knowledge as to QBI/Safe Harbor but in the Deductions section see this.
Attachment 14750200
I think all that goes to forms 8995 and you can see they are included.
Attachment 14750212
Have no idea as to how hard all that would be to find or enter when going through guided as it is not something I have dealt with.
Attachment 14750203
Many years ago, TT sneakily, quietly and without announcement removed Schedule C and other stuff from their Deluxe version. That had a large user base that was filing their taxes using TT Deluxe finding out that the software of the same exact name they used last year would no longer do their taxes after opening the package on a nonrefundable product.
That caused such an uproar and so much bad PR that after some weeks of TT trying to calm the storm other ways TT relented and put the features back in the way they were previously and released it.
A year or two after that fiasco I grabbed Block Deluxe form a deal here on SD. Shortly after I noticed people in the deal saying that Deluxe does not do business income, rental etc. It caused me great concern and I was about ready to send it back before opening thinking was going to have to buy a higher version.
Yet remembering the TT fiasco, could not imagine that Block after witnessing the trouble TT had would try to strip features. Decided to open and install the Block Deluxe package it and to my relief it was the same old Deluxe it had always been.
The only thing that had changed is that both TT and Block muddled the marketing to make it appear that you need a higher version. Click throughs and charts on both their sites will guide you to Premium for rental income or self-employment. I imagine they have maybe 90% of their customer base fooled.
It is so bad that I get people mad at me for me telling the truth of the situation. All the supposed independent review sites and ratings sites push the same deceptive marketing. This has got to be going on for about ten or more years now and it comes up in every deal. People that think they are being helpful will advise somebody they need Premium based on the marketing they see. Brilliant marketing strategy that has the customer upselling for Block.
Think the big player are also in on the game. Looking on Google will have you scratching your head with most information guiding you too Premium.
https://www.google.com/search?q=does+h%26r+block+deluxe+have+schedule+c&sca_esv=591675247&sxsrf=AM9H... [google.com]
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I am understanding that deluxe appears to have all the provisions as premium with less guidance. But if I have to file state taxes, do I have to get deluxe + state, or is plain delux capable of doing it with less guidance?
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