H&R Block 2019 tax program in the mail?

[mistermike40]

Not sure if this is in the right forum... quite a few years ago I switched from Turbo Tax to H&R Block Deluxe. Every year they would send me the latest CD in the mail and I would pay for an activation code. Last year I wanted to get started early, so I downloaded my copy from an online megastore. When it came time to submit my "free" e-file, it wouldn't recognize the activation code. After several days and *many* phone calls to customer support (who were quite friendly), we finally got it to work. For my efforts they reimbursed me the purchase price of the software, but said to be careful where you buy H&R Block from in the future.

So, this year I decided to just wait for my annual disc to arrive in the mail. Only it hasn't yet. Does anyone else use this program, and have you received your physical disc in the mail? I might just download it from their website (a bit more expensive, but I don't want to repeat the activation dance this year).

 

[coveredbridge]

I received mine a couple weeks ago, but I had already purchased the CD from Amazon. I've never had a problem buying the CD from Amazon. I'm always reluctant to buy a download, I like having the physical media.

 

[Jerry1]

I bought HR Block last year to try it out, but did not like it so I did not file with it and instead used TT. Anyway, to the point of the thread, they’ve sent me two disks recently. One a few weeks ago and I received one today. I’d wait another day or two. Maybe Wednesday of next week since the post office will be closed on Monday.

 

[jazz4cash]

I think if you haven't received it by now you should just download it.

I did not get anything this year but I usually get a disc in the mail that I don't use it because it's cheaper to get it from an online seller like Amazon. This year I bought the Deluxe +state at Wal-mart for $25.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I have been downloading HRB from Amazon for the last several years (got Deluxe but no state for $15 around thanksgiving this season). Anyway, no CD in the mail the last two years at least.

No real need for a Cd, IMHO. You can always redownload for free from Amazon, and many new computers don’t come with cd drives anyway. They will be a thing of the past soon, like floppies and Zip disks.

 

[big-papa]

I have been downloading HRB from Amazon for the last several years (got Deluxe but no state for $15 around thanksgiving this season). Anyway, no CD in the mail the last two years at least.

No real need for a Cd, IMHO. You can always redownload for free from Amazon, and many new computers don’t come with cd drives anyway. They will be a thing of the past soon, like floppies and Zip disks.

Bingo - been doing this since 2012 according to all of the icons on my computer's desktop. And for the very reason that I can re-download for free from Amazon.

 

[mistermike40]

Thanks for the replies. I don't mind d/l the program, but I want to avoid issues with the free federal e-file like last year.

I guess I'll wait a few days, then - if no disc in the mail - I'll d/l from Amazon again.

 

[Ready]

I spent all morning messing around with the H&R Block tax software and found it very frustrating to use. There is no place to enter my quarterly CA state tax payments in the program.

I called their customer support number and spent about 30 minutes waiting for a rep. The woman who answered was friendly but had no idea why the program did not provide a way to enter quarterly CA payments.

I eventually found the actual form where the payments need to go and manually entered the information. But it seems like a major oversight for the program to forget to include a screen to capture quarterly payments.

She said I was not the first person to report the problem. I’m surprised I could not find any information on the internet about it. There must be a lot of people who make quarterly payments and need to enter the data to complete their tax forms.

I may go back to TurboTax next year. I never had any problem using their software.

 

[razztazz]

2019 is my third year using H&R Block and have had no problems with it and I don't think I have ever gotten a CD in the mail. I get an email from them with instructions to go to the website etc etc. Turbo tax used to send me the CD every year

 

[Sunset]

I spent all morning messing around with the H&R Block tax software and found it very frustrating to use. There is no place to enter my quarterly CA state tax payments in the program.

I called their customer support number and spent about 30 minutes waiting for a rep. The woman who answered was friendly but had no idea why the program did not provide a way to enter quarterly CA payments.

I eventually found the actual form where the payments need to go and manually entered the information. But it seems like a major oversight for the program to forget to include a screen to capture quarterly payments.

She said I was not the first person to report the problem. I’m surprised I could not find any information on the internet about it. There must be a lot of people who make quarterly payments and need to enter the data to complete their tax forms.

I may go back to TurboTax next year. I never had any problem using their software.

I use the downloaded software H&R Block, and have never had an issue putting in my quarterly payments for both Fed and State.

Guess I'll find out when I do it, if something changed or not.

 

[frank]

I was wondering what h and r free edition charges to file state taxes. anyone know?

 

[USGrant1962]

I spent all morning messing around with the H&R Block tax software and found it very frustrating to use. There is no place to enter my quarterly CA state tax payments in the program.

I called their customer support number and spent about 30 minutes waiting for a rep. The woman who answered was friendly but had no idea why the program did not provide a way to enter quarterly CA payments.

I eventually found the actual form where the payments need to go and manually entered the information. But it seems like a major oversight for the program to forget to include a screen to capture quarterly payments.

She said I was not the first person to report the problem. I’m surprised I could not find any information on the internet about it. There must be a lot of people who make quarterly payments and need to enter the data to complete their tax forms.
...

Yea, that is messed up this year. The answer is you have to enter them during the Federal interview under deductions even if you know you are using the standard deduction. Of course hardly anyone uses itemized deductions any more. I've read that almost 90% now use standard deduction, so that is a terrible design choice.

EDIT - and at least for Maryland there is a bright orange "LEARN MORE" on the summary screen right next to Estimated Tax Payment that tells you this. Maybe that wasn't there on an earlier update?

 

[jazz4cash]

Hmm. I’ve never noticed this issue with the download version. I live in MD and usually use the state’s free ifile for state taxes. I expect we will barely exceed the std deduction even with SALT limit. It seems like the state should be required to issue a 1099 G for payments not covered by a W2 or Other 1099.