H&R Block Online Tax Filing Review

With W-2s and other tax forms now appearing in our mailboxes (or inboxes) daily, chances are that taxes are on your mind. If you believe you’ll owe money to the government, it makes sense to put off filing as long as possible, up to this year’s filing deadline. If you expect to receive a refund, however, file your taxes early to receive your money faster.

Previously, H&R Block offered a product that allowed customers to get their refund even faster than the few weeks the IRS takes to process. However, they no longer offer these (though, you can sign up here to be first in line when they begin offering the Emerald advance lines of credit again). While you can find anticipation loans through third-party companies, these are typically accompanied by high fees. So, as of now, the least expensive and quickest way to receive a refund is to allow the IRS to deposit your refund directly into your bank account.

Regardless of how you receive your refund, you can file online using H&R Block’s system if you’d prefer to not visit a local office in person (buying a software package is one more option you have, too!). Here is what you need to know about filing online.

Different editions available

H&R Block offers three tiers of their online filing system in 2017 (for filing your 2016 taxes).

The More Zero Free Edition should be sufficient for most taxpayers. If you file using a 1040EZ, 1040A or 1040 with Schedule A, H&R Block promises that you’ll pay nothing when you file your taxes online. For my review, I started with the Free Edition to see how far I could proceed before being required to upgrade to a more advanced — and more expensive – version of the software.

I chose to begin entering my tax information without creating an account, which would store my progress on H&R Block’s servers. I knew that if I wanted to save my tax return either to complete at a different time or to finish filing, I would need to create an account.

H&R Block clearly outlines the tax preparation process into three steps.

Income

For the first step, H&R Block suggests uploading your 2015 return. You have the option to skip this step and enter everything manually, which I chose to do.

The software then asks about any life-changing events during the past year. I selected “lost a job” because I left my corporate employment at the end of the year. I expected some immediate feedback about my life-changing event, but H&R Block proceeded to ask about my filing status (single) and required me to enter my personal information including Social Security number and dependents.

After verifying my personal information, I began the section pertaining to income. This section begins by reviewing a list of my needed documentation for completing this information including a variety of 1099 forms (1099-G, 1099-INT, 1099-MISC, 1099-B, etc.) and any W-2 forms. I pulled up my W-2 online to verify the numbers my former employer reported to the government.

Even before entering any income information, by virtue of the fact I have self-employment and business income, H&R Block informed me an upgrade would be required. Adding gains from the sale of investments to your income would require an upgrade, as well.

There is no need to get fancy. If you don’t need hand-holding as you walk through the process, the H&R Block Deluxe Edition —  which is the least expensive flavor of the two paid options — is all that’s necessary. Of course, H&R Block will keep suggesting further upgrades, but if the Free Edition doesn’t contain all the features you need, the Deluxe Edition will likely be sufficient.

Adjustments, deductions and credits

I continued through the income section, entering information from my business, and proceeded to the section for adjustments and deductions. After entering the appropriate deductions, H&R Block provided the opportunity to choose to file using my itemized deductions or the standard deduction, with the total effect on my tax return for each.

Following the deductions, I was prompted to select credits for which I might qualify. The credit section moved quickly for me, and I proceeded to the taxes section, where H&R Block checks for additional taxes or penalties I would be required to pay. These include excess contributions to, or early withdrawals, from retirement accounts.

Printing and filing the returns

After finishing all sections and reviewing my federal tax return, H&R Block transferred my information to the state return. I entered the information that applies to New Jersey, such as the renter/homeowner rebate. After finishing the forms, I noticed that I did not enter the estimated tax payments I made throughout the year, so I went back to the pages to enter that information for both my federal return and state return.

At this point, H&R Block suggested upgrading to “H&R Block Basic + Best of Both Worlds,” which is an option where the tax returns are reviewed by a local H&R Block office. H&R Block would be the tax preparer of record, so they would responsible to pay any fees due to mistakes on the returns. This service starts at $79.95 plus $34.95 for the state return.

In the final stages of filing, H&R Bock allows me to review the charges. I was required to upgrade from the Free Edition to the Deluxe Edition, so my federal return cost $34.99. The state return cost $36.99. Once filing and providing my banking information for direct deposit, I should receive my refund within ten days.

The first option for paying this fee is H&R Block’s Simple Pay, in which the filing fees are deducted from your refund (if the government owes one to you), for an additional fee. Other options are credit and debit cards, electronic transfer from a bank account, or use a coupon code.

Only after paying for the return does H&R Block offer some of its own options for receiving a refund. The cheapest method to ever receive a return, though, (no matter which company you use to file) is to open a free bank account and get direct deposit. Then, just wait and in less than two weeks, you should have your refund in hand!

Consumerism Commentary is an authorized affiliate of H&R Block. Six giveaway products were provided to Consumerism Commentary free for the benefit of our readers. H&R Block did not compensate Consumerism Commentary for this review.

Photo: socialwoodlands