H&R Block Review 2025: Pricing, Features, Ease of Use

H&R Block's e-filing tax products are intuitive and easy to use, and the free version offers filers a robust selection of forms. Although it’s not the most expensive of the tax software providers we reviewed, H&R Block's online tax software isn’t the cheapest either.

So what makes H&R Block stand apart from the crowd? Access to tax pros.

If you’re a filer who needs some help along the way, you’ll find plenty of options at H&R Block. With the exception of the free tier, all of the company’s online DIY packages include Tax Pro Chat at no additional cost. This grants you access to unlimited chat or video sessions with a CPA or another tax pro throughout your filing process.

And if you find yourself wanting face-to-face help, H&R Block is a top choice: You can make an appointment at one of the company’s 10,000 brick-and-mortar locations throughout the U.S.

H&R Block's prices

One bonus for H&R Block is that the standard paid packages — Deluxe, Premium and Self-Employed — include expert help. In previous years, getting access to human tax help meant that H&R Block users had to upgrade to the company’s higher-priced “Online Assist” packages.

Another of H&R Block’s pluses is its free version, which is better than most and was a close contender for our pick for the best free tax software package.

H&R Block's free version

Like the free tax software from most of its competitors, H&R Block Free lets filers with relatively simple tax situations file both state and federal returns at no cost. This means if you just need to turn in your Form 1040 or take basic credits, like the earned income tax credit or child tax credit, this package might be a good fit for you. It can also handle unemployment income.

H&R Block’s free version also lets you file limited Schedules 1, 2 and 3 of Form 1040, which is a big bonus because many taxpayers need to file those forms to report things such as deductible student loan interest, certain retirement contributions, alimony, and the lifetime learning credit. The caveat here is that you may need to upgrade if the specific form you need to finish your schedule isn’t included. Customer service is limited to a chatbot with this package.

H&R Block paid packages

While H&R Block's free version has expanded capabilities, if you plan to itemize deductions, were a landlord, freelanced, sold cryptocurrency, contributed to an HSA, ran a small business or had any other complex situations going on, you’ll probably need to upgrade to one of H&R Block’s paid packages.

All of H&R Block's online paid DIY packages include access to human help via Tax Pro Chat and AI Tax Assist, the company’s virtual tax assistant. If you want a final review, you’ll have to upgrade to Tax Pro Review, however.

One note about prices: Providers frequently change them. Discounted services and packages may be available toward the beginning of the tax filing season, but these markdowns tend to be replaced with surge pricing closer to the tax filing deadline. You can verify the latest price by clicking through to H&R Block’s site.

H&R Block also offers desktop software, where your return doesn't reside in the cloud, but it’s not part of our review.

H&R Block's ease of use

How it works

H&R Block's online filing software follows the popular model of a friendly chat with a tax pro. If you're a new user, you'll be asked to select a series of prompts that applied to your tax situation in the last year, such as if you have kids, own a home, had a health savings account, or donated to charity.

Based on the information provided, H&R Block will match you with one of its many available packages. You can either agree with its suggestion or choose a different product. If you're a returning user, your information is auto-populated from last year, making modifying or adding new details easier.

As with most other providers, your actual tax return — the form that gets submitted to the IRS — is filled out piecemeal and behind the scenes. The program runs you through a series of questions to determine eligibility for certain tax breaks or assess reporting requirements.

Questions are posed simply, with helpful contextual information and links made available as needed. The program also allows you to automatically import or upload photos of select tax forms, such as your W-2, to save you time when adding your income and wages.

What it looks like

H&R Block’s interface is visually simple, straightforward, and easy to use, and it explains concepts as you go. Skipping around to specific sections can be a little trickier than it needs to be, but a banner across the top keeps track of where you are in the filing process.

Embedded links provide more information without having to wander around, the help menu is visible from all pages, and you can click to access the chat support portal throughout. Notably, if you keep the “Help” sidebar open as you make your way through each section of your tax return, the sidebar will show related advice on the topic when you click "learn more."

A shopping cart button up top tells you which package you’re buying, whether you’ve also selected add-ons, and how much your total software bill is so far. It also keeps track of your total refund but doesn’t give you too much insight into how that total is determined as you go.

H&R Block's features

• You can switch from another provider:  H&R Block can import last year’s return from an H&R Block or TurboTax data file, or from a PDF of your tax return from any provider. For former TurboTax users, the switch is potentially even easier: You can port up to 150 fields from your prior-year return by simply entering your phone number.

• Auto-import certain tax documents: You can import your W-2 from your employer (via PDF or direct import if your payroll provider is partnered with H&R Block), which lets you avoid time spent keying in numbers from little boxes. You also have the choice to upload a photo of it. You can also import many kinds of 1099s, and the Self-Employed version also lets you import your 1099-K or 1099-MISC directly from Uber if you have a driver’s account.

• Donation calculator: The Deluxe, Premium and Self-Employed packages also integrate DeductionPro, which helps calculate the deduction value of donated clothes, household items and other objects.

• Crypto support: H&R's integration with CoinTracker eliminates one of the biggest pain points for cryptocurrency investors — manual entry. Premium and Self-Employed users can link their CoinTracker accounts to automatically import their crypto transactions.

• Platform mobility: Because the software is online, you can log in from other devices if you choose to work on your return here and there. There is also a mobile app available.

H&R Block’s human tax help

Three notable support offerings from H&R Block are Tax Pro Chat, Tax Pro Review, and H&R Block Full Service (virtual and in person).

Tax Pro Chat

People who pay for the Deluxe, Premium, and Self-Employed products will automatically get access to unlimited chat or video screen-sharing sessions with a certified public accountant, enrolled agent or other tax expert at any point while preparing their returns. A downside of this service is that the tax pro will not review, sign or e-file your return for you, though. They are merely there to help with questions that come up along the way.

Tax Pro Review

This add-on service offers a one-on-one review of your completed return with a human tax pro who will go over your documents and check for accuracy and possible missed deductions or credits. If you want, the tax pro will also sign and e-file your return for you. The review usually happens within three days.

H&R Block says the add-on generally starts at $55, but the cost will vary depending on the package type (i.e., the more expensive the package, the pricier the add-on).

H&R Block Full Service

H&R Block also offers full-service virtual help, where a pro completes your entire return.

What also sets H&R Block’s human support features apart from other providers we review is its enormous band of human tax preparers at the company’s 10,000 or so offices around the world. Help at brick-and-mortar stores isn’t free, of course (in-office appointments start at $89), but it helps to know you can go there if you get confused or stuck.

Not all of H&R Block’s tax pros are CPAs or enrolled agents, but the company says they undergo over 60 hours of training and complete an additional 30-plus hours of annual training to get ready for tax season.

What the Nerds think

H&R Block's customer support options

Here's a look at the various ways you can find answers and get guidance when filing your return with H&R Block. Notably, H&R Block’s customer support for its free package is limited to its online chatbot. This means you have to upgrade for phone or human chat support, which might be a sticking point for some.

Ways to get help

• General guidance: Searchable knowledge base and website, including video tutorials, calculators, news, articles and guides.

• Tech support: Free chat or phone tech support across Deluxe, Premium and Self Employed packages; virtual assistance chat feature provides basic tax and tech support to help with simple questions. H&R Block also has an online support page.

• AI Tax Assist: Another feature included for all paid packages is AI Tax Assist, a tool that uses data from the company’s Tax Institute to help answer user questions on a wide number of tax topics. Free users can upgrade to PLUS for access.

H&R Block's audit support

Getting audited is scary, so it’s important to know what kind of support you’re getting from your tax software. First, be sure you know the difference between "support" and "defense." With most providers, audit support (or "assistance") typically means guidance about what to expect and how to prepare — that’s it. Audit defense, on the other hand, gets you full representation before the IRS from a tax professional.

H&R Block offers free audit support, but you also can buy a product called Worry-Free Audit Support. This includes IRS notice correspondence management and help, audit preparation and in-person audit representation from an enrolled agent; it costs $20.

You could also add Tax Identity Shield for $19.99, which provides personal assistance if criminals use your personal information to file a fake tax return.

H&R Block refund options

No matter how you file, you can choose to receive your refund in several ways:

• Direct deposit to a bank account.

• Loaded onto an Amazon gift card (2.5% bonus) for H&R Block desktop product purchases through Amazon only.

• Spruce mobile banking.

• Paper check.

You have the option of paying for the software out of your refund and getting a check or direct deposit for anything left over, but there’s a $39 charge to do so.

How H&R Block compares

These star ratings are based on a tax provider's free tier score. For more detailed scoring, see the full product details above. Providers frequently change pricing. You can verify the latest price by clicking through to each provider's site.

» Want all the details? Read our reviews of TaxAct, TurboTax and TaxSlayer

Bottom line: Is H&R Block right for you?

H&R Block offers several filing options and is a solid competitor against TurboTax. For those who use H&R Block’s paid options, human tax help — a feature that typically requires a paid upgrade with other providers — is available at no additional cost this year.

If you want to file your taxes online but would feel better knowing you can run to a human at a desk in a brick-and-mortar office if you get stuck, H&R Block stands alone.