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Tax-Preparation Software Review: H&R Block Deluxe vs. TurboTax Deluxe
Are you among the intrepid tax filers who prepare their own returns? Then you’re probably using H&R Block Deluxe or TurboTax Deluxe, two leading tax-prep products. They’re aimed at folks who itemize but don’t have complex investments or businesses.
For this tax-preparation software review, we tested online versions of both shortly after their release in December 2015. (You can do the same; you pay only when you file.) Each costs $34.99 to prepare and file a federal return and $36.99 for a single state return, though prices could rise later in the season.
TaxAct, another popular online tax-prep tool, had not been released at the time we did our tax-preparation software comparison.
The Basics
With either tool, you can import W-2s, 1099s, and other income documents from thousands of employers and financial institutions. You can opt to have the programs guide you or skip sections that don’t apply. Both offer a refund “ticker” that constantly updates what you’ll get or owe as you go through the program.
Got a tax question? H&R Block and TurboTax let you input queries or search their databases for answers. Both also offer advice from tax pros by phone. H&R Block offers unlimited, free advice to all users. Users of TurboTax Deluxe online and its higher-priced cousins get free advice, but users of the TurboTax Deluxe CD-Rom pay $19.99 for unlimited calls.
File by Phone
If you’re so inclined, the mobile versions of both apps let you prepare the “long form” (IRS Form 1040) as well as the “short forms” (1040-A and 1040-EZ) on your smartphone. As advertised, both apps automatically transferred our inputs into their online programs.
CR’s Take
H&R Block offers a few more free services than TurboTax, which could make it more attractive to do-it-yourself newbies. But TurboTax'€™s more generous charitable deduction valuations, for example, make it a better choice for seasoned DIY-ers.
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the March 2016 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S.
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