Among Friends

[viva923]

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.

[software]

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.

[webbgarner1]

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

[KentuckyWoman]

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. 

[MaeE]

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.

[ECBG]

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.  

[blackhole99]

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.

[momtochloe]

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.

[qbetzforreal]

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. 

[novamc1]

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.