topic Re: H&RBlock in Among Friends

H&RBlock

cuddlesmama — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 15:58:43 GMT

Have you used them and what were your experiences negative or positive. I don't mean the online version I mean going to they office. I usually have my taxes done by an accountant but his prices keep going up all the time and we don't have a business. So what we have isn't complicated. I did the online one year and it was rejected by the IRS for a written in wrong SS#, but I couldn't get back to the Turbo web site to fix it so that year I started going to an accountant because I got scared. I don't know how much H&RBlock charges but I don't its over $220.00. Let me know your thoughts Thanks.

Re: H&RBlock

ScrapHappy — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 16:35:12 GMT

Years ago we went to H&R Block. The lady was awesome! Went back the following year making the appoinment with her but when we got there it was someone else, the lady we liked so much quit. Never was able to find out where she went. Didn't care for the person who took her place. I recall my husband knowing more than he did and helping him use the computer. We go to an accountant now but our taxes are more complicated now.

Re: H&RBlock

sweetee2 — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 16:37:28 GMT

We have used them for many years. Ours are very complicated. We go to the same lady every year and she is familiar with all our different categories. They are professional and they know about every technicality. And they stand my their work. But they are not cheap, but the peace of mind is worth it. The fee is a tax right off if that helps.

Re: H&RBlock

x Hedge — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 16:39:15 GMT

Yes, used to go to H&R yearly. Your experience will be no better or no worse than the individual tax preparer you happen to get.

You can talk to the person in reception, tell them you've always gone to an accountant, and this is your first time using H&R and don't want to be disappointed.

Ask them to recommend someone on staff who has a natural talent for this type of work and at least one tax year of hands on experience. Let them know you're willing to wait for that one.

Since your taxes are uncomplicated you don't need someone with a decade of experience. But you don't want someone who was just trained for this tax year either.

Re: H&RBlock

NicksmomESQ — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 16:44:24 GMT

D H & I have been going to H & R Block for 30 years.We have been using the same tax preparer every year.She is excellent & has done a fabulous job.

It all depends who you get.Our preparer is an accountant who just works during tax season.If I have a question during the year I can call her.I have her cell #.

As far as cost they’re not cheap.You pay according to the forms they have to generate to complete your taxes.Each form has a predetermined cost. This year we paid over $400.

Re: H&RBlock

sann — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 17:23:59 GMT

I have been using them for many years. I always go to the same person each time and have never had any problems. They are not cheap be prepared to shell out some dough.

Re: H&RBlock

123SuzyQ123 — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:19:30 GMT

Our taxes are plain and simple, thus I've been able to do them online for the last 8 years. We even had moving costs and expenses to claim for the move across the country in 2012 for a new job, and I was even able to enter it all correctly for that "out of the ordinary" happening! We have only been audited once in our 38 years together, and that was back 11 years ago when husband was still doing them by handwriting them. He had simply forgotten to report an IRA withdrawal (I think it was). Doing them online is quick and easy, so if you just have "normal" taxes, I recommend either TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA dot com.

Re: H&RBlock

Hooty — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:44:26 GMT

I have worked for H&R Block 3 different tax seasons, and in 2 different states. They make sure their preparers are well trained, even seasoned preparers attend tax classes before the beginning of the tax season, updating on new rules & regulations from the IRS. I also use their program for my personal taxes. The price of your return depends on how complicated your taxes are, they cannot predict before they do your taxes how much it will be, unless you use the EZ form!

Re: H&RBlock

smb3 — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 20:56:07 GMT

They used to advertise on tv that it is $40, so two years ago I went in thinking it was that price. The tax preparer did everything, took about a half hour and then said it would be $320!! I was shocked. I asked why so much and she said due to the forms necessary to use for my taxes. I wasn't really prepared to paid that, but had to. She said, 'at least you get a refund'. Last year I went to an accountant, he charged me $200. Again, I was shocked because he charged a family member only $75 and she had two jobs. He claimed it was due to the forms necessary..... He also said I owed and still wonder if that was correct. So this year I did my own online, TaxAct. They guide you through each and every step. I had no problems. It's been accepted with no problems. I am so proud of myself and saved a lot of money!

Re: H&RBlock

ZoetheCat — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:02:10 GMT

Hubby and I have employed an accountant to do our taxes for at least the last 25 years. I think the last time we did our own was when we were first married. Three years ago, in the middle of tax season, our accountant got very sick and was unable to finish our taxes. He has since passed away. He was a wonderful man, and I still think of him fondly.

As it was well into tax season when he got sick, we felt some pressure to find someone quickly. So, we turned to H&R Block. As an added incentive, they were offering a deal where new clients could pay half of what they paid the year before, with a receipt for proof. The woman who did our taxes was very pleasant, but she seemed very frazzled. After our initial appointment, she called us twice to postpone our follow-up because she still hadn't completed them. Although we do have some investment income, I don't think our taxes are particularly complicated. It's not like we own a business. In any event, the taxes were eventually done and we did get a great deal with the half-off introductory rate.

Last year when I called to schedule with them, I was told they couldn't give me a firm price but said that it would likely be over $400. We declined and ended up going to someone referred to us. He charged us $235.00. He also did our taxes in his office as we waited. I'd never had that experience before. It was fairly painless, except for the additional $3,000 we had to pay the IRS! Not the accountant's fault. We always have to pay in additional funds at tax time.

I think that with H&R Block it probably depends on the individual preparer. I just think their fees are excessive..

Re: H&RBlock

viva923 — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 22:31:10 GMT

we have used in the office H&R Block for well over 20 years.

never have had a problem with them. We have been seeing the same lady who has done our taxes for some 12 years now, will gladly keep going to her as long as she keeps doing taxes.

Re: H&RBlock

software — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 23:35:56 GMT

My DD used them for the first time this year and it's been a fiasco. But like @x Hedge mentioned, it's up to the individual preparer.

She had a lot of changes in 2017. She was charged over $300. It was supposed to be direct deposit, H&R Block told her there was a problem with the DD and she would be issued a paper check which she has yet to receive, it was mailed last month.

I feel so bad for her. Next year she won't have to fool with them. She can go on the IRS website and do a Free File.

That's what I've done for years. I use TaxActUSA. Never a problem. Got my refund in 3 weeks.

Re: H&RBlock

webbgarner1 — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 23:42:46 GMT

I used H&R Block many times and found them to be knowlegable, professional and effecient each time. No complaints whatsoever.

Re: H&RBlock

KentuckyWoman — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 00:19:11 GMT

We have used H&R Block for several years and have been very pleased with the service. We are both fully retired now and our return is too complicated for me or DH to mess with. We use to do our own but for the past eight years, we have used them. They are not cheap but it is a tax write off. Peace of mind is worth it. They are knowledgeable and they stand behind their work.

Re: H&RBlock

MaeE — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 20:13:22 GMT

My husband and i used them for years but beware. Yes, they are cheaper but when my son started taking my taxes to Jackson Hewitt after my husband died, they found several thousands HRBlock had cheated me out of. They had not given me some kind of break on some land I had and got back several thousand for me that first year I continue to use them now. They do charge more but since my son knows the person there, they give me a discount..Good luck on choosing who figures yours.

Re: H&RBlock

ECBG — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 04:37:23 GMT

I was an H & R Block receptionist last season. These consultants have extensive training yearly and must pass tests. When you make an appointment or walk in, the receptionist asks several questions while filling in a form on the computer. The software tells her which pro you need because of your situation.

If you get a refund, they will give you a pre paid Visa if you qualify.

I loved that position, but it wasn't at the year long office, and of course I love color, so I didn't go this year.

Re: H&RBlock

blackhole99 — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 23:54:14 GMT

My son used them when he was in business for himself in 2003. The cost was 250.00 and he thought that was a decent price, but found that you don't have to be a tax genius to do your own taxes. He saved all his info from H&R Block and has been doing his own taxes ever since.

Re: H&RBlock

momtochloe — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 03:17:59 GMT

I agree with folks here, H&R Block is as good as their preparers. I used them for many years with no problem until the last time I went. It was a nightmare (they had to refile my taxes four times and please know they are not that complicated) and the office manager just sat there and told me "gee, that's too bad". Something must be up with that office as I have never received another email or solicitation from H&R since then which is highly unusual so they must have deleted me completely from their system. It turned out fine as I found a local gentlemen who did a terrific job for 1/3 of their price.

Re: H&RBlock

qbetzforreal — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 03:31:45 GMT

I used them one year. The next year I used another tax preparer who an big error. I paid the Feds more than what was owed. I went back to them and they made the correction.

Re: H&RBlock

novamc1 — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 18:58:59 GMT

For the first time, we decided to use the nearby office of H&R Block instead of hiring a CPA. (We moved and need to find a new CPA and just didn't get around to shopping for one..)

We worked with the manager of the conveniently located Block office, who also trains other Block reps in the area, so you'd think he'd know what he is doing. Not so.

I have absolutely nothing nice to report about our experience.

Don't read any further unless you want to plow through an epic saga.

Paid $575 and were handed a copy of our "completed return" with pages printed on the front with "Not An Approved Copy". So we had to request and pick up correct IRS forms that are "approved" for use.

Then we were given federal estimated tax vouchers for 2018, also marked as "not an approved copy". So we had to go pick up the correct ones.

Then we were given state estimated tax vouchers for last year, instead of this year.

It has taken several weeks to get these errors corrected and get what we need. It's not like we can just stop in and pick up the right papers,

The office manager had no idea that he had printed out and given us the wrong forms, and he didn't know how that had happened. He says Block headquarters explained that forms were "still being updated" for 2017 returns. (This was in early Feb. with only about two months before tax returns are due, and the Block company was apparently not ready to do business.)

Our scheduled appointments have been rescheduled two times by the office manager for unknown reasons. One cancellation was made as we were getting dressed to meet him in the next 50 minutes.

He has made promises he did not keep, such as having some papers done by a certain day, so we'd drop by the office and of course neither he nor the papers were anywhere to be found, even by the receptionist.

Then, to top it all off, we just finished going through the drawn-out agony of filing an amended 2017 return, because the one already filed by Block contains two large errors that would cost us more tax ithan we really owe.

Never did our CPA ever cause us any of this grief. Never have we experienced such an inefficient and incompetent organization.

I don't think the almost $600 price we paid for this "service" was money well spent, and it certainly hasn't been earned by the Block company.

Next year we will ditch the amateurs and go back to using a CPA, who might or might not cost a couple hundred dollars more but had better not cause this type of aggravation again.