Turbo Tax compared to H&R Block

[Jerry1]

So I'm about done with my taxes. This year I bought both H&R Block and Turbo Tax. H&R Block (HRB) was on sale and I thought it would be a good time to try it. I've been a Turbo Tax (TT) user for decades (early 1990's). So now that I have my information entered into both programs, I thought I'd give some comments. The good news is that the calculated tax liability is the same for both programs.

My taxes are not that complex. I have to file a federal, state and city return. I have forms common to many on this forum - W-2, 1099's INT, DIV, B, I pay property taxes on my owned home. HRB handled everything fine including the transfer of information from last year's TT return. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't use HRB except for the difference in price ($20 difference given that both were on sale when purchased) is not enough for me to switch. I also did not think the interface and input format was as good as TT, but it worked and I'm probably bias given how long I've used TT. Given the new tax laws, my return got even simpler this year. First time I used a standard deduction. Kind of weird that with over $200K I couldn't itemize but I got capped with SALT so most of my deductions didn't matter. That would make HRB even more easy to use but I'm not likely to change.

The one thing that HRB did not do, and it won't matter next year, is include the forms to file my City taxes. Since I'm no longer working in the city, I will no longer have to pay non-resident taxes, but for this year, that does take a lot away from the value HRB had in the lower price.

At least it was a good exercise for checking my return since I did the TT first and then started from scratch and did the HRB a few days later. I'll finish up tonight and mail them this coming week. Probably Tuesday.

 

[RunningBum]

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f28/tax-prep-software-89479-6.html#post2064377 gives my reasons for not using HRB. Definitely not worth $20 savings to get letters from the IRS of money supposedly owed because of things HRB omitted, and having to file two amended returns.

 

[ownyourfuture]

I can't say that TurboTax is the best because I've never used any of the others. But I've used it since 1999 without issue, so even if a company like H&R Block sold something similar to TurboTax deluxe for $10.00, I wouldn't switch.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[ncbill]

I use H&R Block for my kid's return because it's the cheapest ($18 last fall for the version that includes one state)

Kid only has a W-2 & a couple of 1099s to input.

Of course there's only free federal e-file, so I print out the state return for mailing.

My taxes will be prepared by a CPA this summer thanks to some idiotically-complex investments I made several years ago.

 

[W2R]

I can't say that TurboTax is the best because I've never used any of the others. But I've used it since 1999 without issue, so even if a company like H&R Block sold something similar to TurboTax deluxe for $10.00, I wouldn't switch.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

+1

I am used to TurboTax and have no issues with it.

In recent years, I have even paid the extra $19.99 to have TurboTax e-file my state taxes. For me this is good way to Blow That Dough.

 

[SoReadyToRetire]

When I met my husband and started doing his taxes in 1996, we quickly realized that he'd been screwed out of a state deduction for the child support he'd paid--because H&R Block, which he used, didn't ask about it. I haven't trusted them since.

I've been a happy TurboTax user for 20 years.

 

[aja8888]

Due to me having small amounts of consulting income and business deductions, and a K-1 to enter, I used H&R Block as it is cheaper than TT for the business version. Plus, I get 5 free E-files for me to use for the GD and DD.

No big deal either way......

 

[HillCountry]

Happy user of TT for almost 20 years. And I have been using Home and Business for the last 10 years. I don’t know whether my rental depreciation schedule can be easily transferred to other software.

 

[HillCountry]

Btw, I bought mine from Costco this year. Have to call in to have a download copy. A very smooth process. Used to get it on Amazon.

 

[pb4uski]

....mail them ....

Neanderthal.

 

[eroscott]

I use H&R Block for my kid's return because it's the cheapest ($18 last fall for the version that includes one state)

Kid only has a W-2 & a couple of 1099s to input.

Of course there's only free federal e-file, so I print out the state return for mailing.

My taxes will be prepared by a CPA this summer thanks to some idiotically-complex investments I made several years ago.

Perhaps you could have used the free TT one for kid?

Link: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp

[begin]
Is TurboTax Free Edition really free?
Yes, we guarantee you’ll pay nothing to file your simple federal and state taxes.

Join the millions who file for $0
50 million hard-working taxpayers can file their simple federal and state taxes for free. You can file with TurboTax Free Edition if you only have the following situations:
* W-2 income
* Limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV
* Claim the standard deduction
* Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC)
* Child tax credits

Situations not covered in TurboTax Free Edition include:
* Itemized deductions (Schedule A)
* Business or 1099-MISC income (Schedule C)
* Stock sales (Schedule D)
* Rental property income (Schedule E)
* Credits, deductions and income reported on schedules 1-6, such as the Student Loan Interest Deduction

How does TurboTax make any money?
Customers with more complex tax situations will file with our other TurboTax products that provide all the right forms and guidance they need. We also offer additional benefits that go beyond filing your taxes, but they are completely optional and are not required to file your taxes for free. Many of our customers value additional features like:

One-on-one help for answers, on demand with a TurboTax specialist
24/7 Tax Return Access to view and print copies of all your completed TurboTax returns

With TurboTax Free, the power to file for free is all yours!
[end]

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

I used TurboTax for years because I was offered a discount by banks that I trusted. One year I decided to try H&R Block, and I had a new issue so I paid an extra fee for "expert advice". Well, long story short, the advice was to do the exact wrong thing (that I could not claim something I later determined I could); the advice clearly made no sense. However, it was close to the deadline so I filed as advised and continued to do my own research.

I determined that the advice was indeed completely wrong, and wound up filing an amended return, and a complaint with the BBB to get the extra fee refunded, as H&R Block refused to admit that their advice was wrong. (It very clearly was, once I did the research.)

 

[bada bing]

I've never used anything other than H&RBlock.

If I wanted to do a side by side comparison similar to the OP - which version of TT is suitable for regular wages + investments/stock sales + schedule c income & small business depreciation schedules ? No state taxes.

TT will seamlessly import prior years from H&RB ?

 

[CardsFan]

I have been using Turbotax for at least 20 years, and am quite happy with it. The difference in price for the other tax programs ($10, $20, $30??) is not enough for me to make a change.

I probably could get by with Deluxe, but I "Blow The Dough" and go with Premium. I actually did need this when I had stock options, not so sure now that I am retired.

To me, the biggest advantage of any software package, is the ability to download brokerage forms directly to the program. 3-4 hours of reading, inputting, checking and checking again, done in 30 seconds.

 

[jazz4cash]

Considering all the gyrations folks go through to get TT free from Fido or VG, I’m surprised how many express willingness to pay $$$ extra vs Block or the others. I’ve used Block for Fed only for many years with no problems. This year I used it for state also because I didn’t trust how the state’s free ifile program would handle the SALT limit.

 

[ziggy29]

I've used TT for at least 15 years. It is one of those things where I think theoretically saving a few bucks by doing it myself is just not worth it. Nor is the unknown of using something new, importing all my history, and hoping it all comes out OK.

 

[Texas Proud]

So, last 3 years Block... then 2 years TT and 3 more years Block... used something else prior to that but cannot remember what...


I have found that each program had benefits and detriments... each could mess up something if you were not paying attention...


One thing that I do with Block (might be able to do with TT as well, but do not remember) is you can input your data 2 ways... either the questions or by form... this helps me when the question is not as clear as I would like...


I will be using Block this year as I got the program for $18... the cheapest I saw TT was $45 (IIRC)...

 

[Sunset]

I used to use paper, then went with TT, and have been using Block for probably the past 10 yrs.
It works for me, and I have all the usual plus rental, foreign things, and self employment.

I also use it to do 3 other relatives taxes.

 

[Al18]

I'm a long time HR Block user, and have been happy with the user interface and it's less than 1/2 the price of TurboTax. I bought both programs in 2013 and found the tax liability was the same for both.

 

[Original Wally]

I am a retired accountant. I used TT for years, no problems. Switched to HRB some years ago and no problems there. Of course my personal life is way less complicated that what I used to do for a living. Thank God.

 

[sengsational]

TT vs Block?

I thought posts about religion were not allowed on this board

 

[Jerry1]

. . . mail them. . .

Neanderthal.

I did electronically file the Federal but I still have to mail in the documents for the 8949 because I didn't want to have to enter the detail in TT.

The State is being mailed because 1) I don't like paying $20 to electronically file it and 2) because I'm not getting a refund. I had a small refund, but I just rolled it forward.

I also had to file a non-resident city tax and while I am getting a refund from them, I still mailed it. However, I am having the refund electronically deposited.

So, maybe not a Neanderthal. Just a Luddite.

 

[fritz]

Used TurboTax for years and found them to be easy to use. Never used TaxAct or H&R Block, but heard they were very similar and tried both in the last few years.

Used TaxAct for two years and it worked very well. I didn't have any issues, but I found TaxAct not as sophisticated as TurboTax software.

Used H&R Block last year, and had a software filing issue that they never were able to resolve. It was an auto input error by H&R Block of wildly incorrect income for previous year. It was locked in the input area and I was not able to change it successfully, which caused me to have to file by mail. Contacting them was not as difficult as getting information about the issue (never was corrected in software and no apologies/refund for leaving me locked out of efile with the Feds).

Went back to TurboTax this year and software worked as in previous years with one exception - software issue with state tax forms left me unable to file state taxes (would not clear/finalize forms for filing). Contacting TurboTax was difficult, and advice on issue was not available. After rep ran around and left me on hold for quite awhile - left it as "we're aware of the problem and it should be cleared up shortly". Long story short, TurboTax has never fixed it to date, but I tried a work around that cleared the forms to allow me to file my state taxes (installed it on another computer, and opened saved tax files from other computer).

I've always bought download software for desktop, but this year bought TurboTax disk from Amazon. Guess you could say I'm not impressed with any of them, and hope that they get their act together...

 

[razztazz]

I used TT for many years. A few yrs ago they snookered a lot of people on some switch-a-roo concerning Premium vs Deluxe level version. P'ed me O'. So for tax year 2017 & 2018 I've used H&R Block. It seems to be easier. Cleaner. More cut-to-the-chase. That is probably why some above have said it seemed less sophisticated than TT.

I must admit I do like it better than TT at least until my tax situation becomes more sophisticated . The only problem I've had was a few nights ago while doing my taxes I was due a $6.00 refund from Federal. (Yes, SIX BUCKS) It asked if I wanted it applied to 2019's taxes. I selected "yes." But it kept telling me I needed to "review" it and edit it in some way...? So, I clicked the box for "just send me the refund" and it went on through to finish. Not sure if I was tripping over something or the Block software had a knob in it.

I just remember all those years of using TT I'd spend hours with it and had that feeling of not really being sure I was doing it right. With Block I get the sense I'm in the groove and I understand what's happening and why. Except for that 6 bucks.

 

[Sojourner]

Due to me having small amounts of consulting income and business deductions, and a K-1 to enter, I used H&R Block as it is cheaper than TT for the business version.

Same here. I also like that HRB usually can pay for itself due to the 5% refund bonus. Even though HRB isn't perfect, it gets the job done and is much more reasonably priced than TT for folks like me (and @aja8888) who have some consulting income.