Our experts answer readers' tax questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess tax products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.
There are many different tax software programs to choose from during the 2023 tax season. Two that land near the top of our editor's ratings are well-established names in the industry: H&R Block and TurboTax.
TurboTax pioneered tax preparation software. H&R Block has long been known for providing in-person tax preparation services and has roughly 9,000 brick-and-mortar locations throughout the US. Today, both offer online tax preparation, tax software, and two levels of tax assistance. TurboTax in 2024 also began offering in-person tax assistance.
See Personal Finance Insider's picks for the best tax software >>
Here's how TurboTax and H&R Block compare on product offerings, costs, and user experience.
You might prefer TurboTax if you use QuickBooks or Credit Karma. Credit Karma members and QuickBooks Online customers can prepare and file their 2023 taxes through TurboTax within the Credit Karma and QuickBooks Online product experiences, using the personal and financial data already present in those products.
You might choose H&R Block if you want a premium experience for a lower price. H&R Block's DIY filing options are less expensive than TurboTax's, and the company edged out TurboTax in our overall ratings.
While TurboTax offers an engaging user experience, H&R Block's online tax interface is more straightforward, cleaner, and less distracting.
TurboTax
Fees
starting at $0
ProsTurboTax's online platform works the same on any computer, and you can even fill out your taxes on your phone with the TurboTax app.
The DIY TurboTax service walks you through all your possible tax deductions and income sources. For the nervous among us, the journey through the TurboTax universe feels reassuringly guided and knowledgeable. If you need even more of a shoulder to lean on, you can pay extra to speak to a tax advisor. This year, TurboTax has also begun providing access to verified tax pros who users in most states can choose through the TurboTax website and connect with in person.
TurboTax allows you to import or upload your tax documents, which can reduce the risk of errors and makes it easy to enter your data quickly. You can stop working and return to the spot where you left off later. And, if you've had enough, you can pay to have a TurboTax expert complete your return for you.
If you're worried that you won't know how to access all the extra features that TurboTax has to offer, don't be. The app will prompt you to upgrade to a higher level package so often that you might begin to feel bombarded.
TurboTax's guided tax journey can feel like a slog, with many questions that don't relate to your situation. Skipping around is no simple matter — you might have to hunt for the section you want to fill out next if you feel confident that you know your way around your taxes.
H&R Block Tax Software
Fees
Plans start at $0
ProsH&R Block's online interface is stripped down, compared with TurboTax. However, it will collect all the information you need without a lot of fuss and upselling. There are fewer questions and options to choose from up front in H&R Block's online filing portal, but always an option to get more information if you need it. The company, which previously relied on foot traffic and appointments at its physical offices, has developed an excellent DIY tax-filing platform.
You can pay extra for access to a tax expert, and H&R Block is always available to prepare your tax forms for you. But you might just find the online tax prep portal so easy to use that you don't need help from a human. The software will save your place if you need to take a break. You will need to enter your data in a specific order, however. There is less ability to skip things and come back to them than in TurboTax.
The H&R Block software is less expensive than TurboTax and an excellent alternative.
Both H&R Block and TurboTax offer free tax filing with no income limits. (The IRS also offers free online filing to people earning less than $73,000.)
If you opt for the free online version of TurboTax for simple tax returns, expect to get bombarded with persistent offers to upgrade to a paid plan (not all taxpayers qualify). You can file your federal and state taxes for free with TurboTax Free Edition. If you have Form 1040 and limited credits you can use TurboTax Free Edition. TurboTax says roughly 37% of tax filers are eligible.
TurboTax's Free Edition includes: W-2 income; interest or dividends that don't require filing a Schedule B; IRS standard deduction; Earned Income Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; and student loan interest deduction.
H&R Block's online forms will let you file a simple return for free that includes the same income types as TurboTax except for 1099 income, plus one or more state returns.
One other feature that's free with the online versions of TurboTax and H&R Block is e-file. E-filing saves you a stamp and ensures that your return won't get lost in the mail. If you're getting a refund, e-file will help the IRS process your payment more quickly.
Even when you consider discounts, H&R Block nearly always comes out cheaper than TurboTax for comparable products.
There are lots of reasons you might need to move up to a paid plan with TurboTax or H&R Block. The paid versions are, not surprisingly, easier to use. Besides, the free versions don't allow you to take some of the most common deductions or report certain types of income.
H&R Block and TurboTax both allow you to upload tax documents rather than manually entering the data, which can save you quite a bit of time if you have multiple W-2s and 1099s. The TurboTax mobile app will let you take a photo of a document right in the app, so advantage to TurboTax.
However, H&R Block's online software wins out on price in every category. Here's what you would pay to file with different types of deductions and income:
Note: Tax prep companies frequently offer discounts on products early in the season. You can check the company websites to see current offers.
The amount you pay depends on your circumstances. If you need to file multiple state returns, that could get pricey with either TurboTax or H&R Block.
Both also offer full-service tax preparation, where a professional prepares and files your taxes for you. The price for that starts at $169 and tops out out at $359 with TurboTax, while H&R Block's full-service options have open-ended pricing, starting at $89 for a federal return. If you opt to have H&R Block complete your return for you, make sure you know the full cost upfront.
If cost is a primary consideration but you'd like a premium tax-filing experience, H&R Block comes out on top.
A platform's ease of use is a subjective question. TurboTax's user interface has a lot going on, and that can be a bit distracting to some people. However, if you are patient enough to answer the questions methodically, you can finish knowing you have left no deduction unexamined.
H&R Block's user experience is simpler, with fewer choices to make along the way. The software won't let you skip back and forth until you've filled in the basics for each section — income first, then deductions. If you prefer a less cluttered interface, H&R Block will be easier for you to use.
There's a lot to recommend both TurboTax and H&R Block online software. Both include guarantees against filing errors, strong encryption to keep your data safe, and the backing of an organization with a track record of tax preparation expertise. You won't go wrong with either choice.
Laura McCamy
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