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H&R Block is one of the most popular tax software vendors in the United States, and Personal Finance Insider named it the best tax software of 2021.

H&R Block an easy-to-use online interface and expert support may be more convenient than going to a physical office during the pandemic. Its rates vary considerably depending on your tax situation.

Here’s a quick breakdown of H&R Block pricing, not including current discounts. Below, you’ll find additional details about each option.

How much does it cost to file your taxes with H&R Block?

You can pay as little as $ 0 or up to $ 239.98 to prepare and file your own federal and state returns online. The more options you need to add, including multiple income streams and / or deductions and credits you qualify, the more expensive it will be to prepare your return with H&R Block. Likewise, the more you will be helped by experts, the more you will pay.

H&R Block offers four main ways to prepare and file tax returns: do-it-yourself online packages, the ability to add online support (i.e. each of these categories has different price points, which are determined by the tax forms you need and the amount of help you want.

DIY packages without expert help are the cheapest because you fill out each form yourself. If you don’t qualify for the free version, these cost $ 49.99, $ 69.99, or $ 109.99, plus $ 44.99 for a state return, not including discounts.

You can expect to pay more if you have any of the following:

• Real estate taxes or mortgage interest deductions
• Small business expenses that may qualify for deductions
• Rental income and expenses that may give rise to deductions
• Investment income on stocks, bonds or cryptocurrency

Choosing the online assistance option adds unlimited and on-demand assistance from a tax professional throughout your DIY filing process. The service gives you unlimited expert help and allows you to share the screen or get help via chat or video. Support can be provided on any device, including a tablet or phone. This service costs between $ 69.99 and $ 194.99, plus $ 44.99 for state return, not including discounts.

If you want to use downloadable computer software, the price of these packages is based on how many sources of income and credits / deductions you have, and can range from $ 29.95 for the basic version to $ 89.95 for the Premium and Business options, plus the return of status and electronic filing fees, without taking discounts into account.

Finally, you can choose to have your return prepared by a tax expert. On the H&R Block website, you will select your location, then see a range of experts available in your area. You can see the available tax specialists and choose the one you would like to work with (in the office, virtually or by filing your tax information). The starting price for this option is $ 69.99, plus $ 65 per state.

Is H&R Block really free?

Yes, the service is free for the federal government and the state if you complete a simple income tax return. It covers unemployment income, retirement income, W-2 income, and interest and dividend income. You can also take the Earned income tax credit (EITC), the child tax credit, and deductions like tuition fees and interest on student loans.

Are H&R Block or TurboTax better?

As for costs, H&R Block’s prices are slightly lower than TurboTax’s. Both offer solid customer service, an easy-to-use interface, and clear instructions and advice, although there are some variations between the packages.

Beyond the free version, here’s how they stack up against the costs of the DIY online filing option, not taking into account any discounts:

Are there any other charges I should know about?

Like most businesses, H&R Block allows you to pay for tax preparation and other related fees directly from your federal or state refund payment, but you will be charged a refund transfer fee of $ 39.

This means that H&R Block will not charge you when you deposit, but will take the amount you owe from your refund plus any additional fees. So, for example, if you opted for the Deluxe option for $ 49.99 and added the additional refund transfer fee of $ 39, H&R Block will not charge you on the spot but will deduct the additional fee (49 , $ 99 + $ 39 = $ 88.99) of your final refund. If you don’t have the cash available to pay now and expect a large refund, it may be worth the extra charge.

Read our full review of H&R Block »