H&R Block Online review

H&R Block Online is the closest rival to TurboTax for people who want a household name. Its Free Online tier files federal and state returns for simple situations, Deluxe adds itemized deductions, and the Self-Employed tier is the one H&R Block points to when you have business expenses such as a home office, vehicle costs or supplies. A Tax Pro Review service lets an H&R Block professional look over a return you prepared yourself, and the company's retail offices give you an in person fallback if your situation changes. We could not load the H&R Block pricing page from our location for a verified USD check, so this entry shows prices as pending and the value score is conservative. Before choosing, compare the paid tier you would need against TaxSlayer Classic and FreeTaxUSA, which include self-employment and investment forms for much less.

Who it is for

People who want a big brand with the option of a tax pro review or an office visit.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Free Online files federal and state returns for simple situations
• Deluxe for itemized deductions
• Self-Employed for business expenses such as home office and vehicle costs
• Tax Pro Review service for a do it yourself return
• Retail offices for in person help

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free Online includes a state return for simple filers
• Strength: Optional tax pro review of your own return
• Strength: Offices if you later want in person help
• Weakness: Pricing page did not load for our USD check
• Weakness: Self-employed filers need the top online tier
• Weakness: State fees apply on several tiers

Key facts

• Free tier: Free Online for simple returns
• Paid tiers: Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed
• Expert option: Tax Pro Review
• Price check: Pending

Where it ranks

H&R Block Online is No. 4 in our Best Tax Software verdict.