I have been using H&R Block tax software for many years, and overall despite minor complaints here and there I find that it meets my needs best. I keep using H&RBlock because it does what I need and it has always been cheaper than TurboTax. I have been buying the Deluxe version of H&R Block because it covers the mutual fund's sales, cost basis calculations are included (Schedule D, capital gains and losses), the form for Foreign Tax Credit from mutual funds is present (Form 1116), as well as stock sales. It also includes Schedule C (profit or loss from business) and Schedule K1 (K-1 S Corps) if you are reporting gain or loss on your personal taxes. To get this functionality in TurboTax you need to buy the Premium version of the software.
INSTALLATION
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* If you are using a digital download you will need an activation code to install the software.
The activation code is shown in Amazon email with the subject line "Your Amazon.com order of "H&R Block Tax Software Del...". If needed you can also get it from Amazon Software downloads. To locate it you need to do this:
1) Log into Amazon
2) Select 'Your Account' and the section called 'Digital Content'
3) Select 'Your Games and Software downloads'
4) Then under H&R software entry, you will see activation code
* Does H&R allow to install the software on two PCs?
No. The license agreement that one needs to accept during the install says this:
“Software copies. You may only install and use the Software on one computer. You may copy the Software for backup and archival purposes only, as long as the original and each copy are kept in your possession and control.
Upgrades. You must first acquire a valid License to the Software to receive and use any Software upgrades. After you acquire and install any Software upgrade, you may only use the upgraded version of the Software and you will no longer use the prior version of the Software other than for backup or archival purposes if you need to reinstall the Software."
PRICE
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If you are looking for the best deal Amazon often runs very attractive promotions on Black Friday and a few other times between now and April. You can get notified about the price drops by checking camelcamelcamel site that can send you emails when the price drops by the amount you specify. During the last tax year season, the price fluctuated between $20 and the list price of $44.99, dipping below $30 a number of times. It also qualifies for digital credits for No-rush Prime shipping. However, it no longer qualifies for rewards from Prime Card rewards (this change started last year).
* WHAT IS INCLUDED
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Using tax software includes two fees - one to use the software and the second one to e-file the returns with IRS. This package includes the cost of using both the Federal tax return and State return for one state (if you need to file taxes in two states, you will need to buy the second state software at full price).
This package also includes the cost of 5 free Federal e-files but it does NOT include the cost of e-file for the state return. Note that there is NO limit on how many returns can be printed on paper for either Federal or State return, so you can print and mail any number of returns you desire.
Note 1: New York State law prohibits additional charges for State e-file (NY residents still have to pay for using the software). There is an income limit to qualify for totally free e-file. In 2018 the limit was $66,000. The limit for 2020 will be posted in January 2021 on the NY state web site.
Note 2: In the comments, I posted a full list of states that allow e-file, as well as the list states that require the return to be printed and mailed.
* The state forms are not available as I write this review. When I tried to install my state return I got a message that I will receive an email when state return will become available.
When the state forms become available the state software can be downloaded directly from the H&R Block application from the first screen of the state tax preparation. There is no extra fee.
All updates of both federal and state software are free.
* GENERAL
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* When you start the software, the first step (after validating your license) allows you to old your data from the previous year's return. You can load H&R Block software, TurboTax or PDF copy of 2018 return.
* Since many of my numbers are not final, I use the H&R feature that allows me to mark entries as “tentative” (right mouse click, then select “mark entry as tentative” from a drop-down list).
H&R Block keeps track of all tentative entries and displays them during a "check" step which normally is invoked at the end of the interview, but can also be invoked by itself at any time. The check step lists all entries marked as tentative so it is easy to update them.
* H&R Block starts the interview process with an annoying up-sell pitch, recommending an upgrade from Deluxe to Premium even when it is not necessary. In my opinion, they should have determined if the person would truly benefit from the Premium version first. That would have been useful. As it stands now it is just annoying.
What is the difference between Premium and Deluxe? The Premium version offers advanced tools for self-employed and rental property owners: cost basis of home sales, dividends, gifts, and inheritance assets. It has advanced schedule C guidance to maximize deductions for self-employment income. And finally, it has guidance for rental property income and expenses. The rest of the Premium package is the same as Deluxe.
Note that the Deluxe package has support for self-employed income as well as stock sale cost basis calculations. Schedule C is a complete schedule - expenses, depreciation and all that through an interview process. The difference with the Premium version is that with Deluxe you are reporting gain or loss on your PERSONAL taxes.
* To combat stolen-identity tax returns H&R Block now asks you to provide state-issued ID number. It is not required but highly encouraged.
* H&R Block provided me some guidance for completing Form 1116 (foreign tax credit, for example, foreign tax paid by a mutual fund). However, I needed to keep switching between the whole-form view and interview to enter data and then back to the interview to read the instructions. Even though the form where you can enter data is visible at the same time as instructions you cannot enter data into it until you switch into the whole-form view. This is cumbersome, but at least there is some guidance for this form.
* I like DeductionPro which helps suggests reasonable prices based on the condition of the donated used clothing items. It is nice not to have to come up with what is reasonable on my own.
* The final tax return can be saved in a PDF format for future reference. I always do that so I can re-print an old return without having to run an old copy of H&R Block (especially down the road when a new computer may not even have an old H&R Block installed).
* H&R Block can print forms when an Ethernet connection is disconnected. In 2014 TurboTax introduced a requirement that the data had to be sent to Intuit's servers to be formatted for printing. H&R Block does not have this requirement.
* If you owe taxes there are three options for payment: electronic withdrawal from your bank (free), mailing a check (free) and paying by credit card from a secure web site (not free). IRS does not charge a fee but the sites that provide this service do. There are several web sites that provide this service with a "convenience" fee. If you search for "pay taxes by credit or debit" you will see the detailed fee schedule on the irs.gov web site.
* Is it possible to download an old version of H&R Block software purchased on Amazon?
Yes. Amazon allows you to download the software purchased on Amazon as long as you have an Amazon account. There is no extra charge for downloading old software. The first download I bought on Amazon was in 2009 and I tested that I can still download it.
Note that if you purchased software directly from the H&RBlock site, they add on a charge for "extended download service". Amazon does not do that.
To get an old digital download you go to "your orders", then "digital orders" and then select a year from the drop-down list. The list goes back to the year I opened my Amazon account.
* Does application provide a feature to confirm IRS/state agency tax acceptance status?
Yes, once you submit your return there will be a button on the first page to request a status check. The resulting status will be displayed on the first page. You can request status updates multiple times.
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
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I ran into an issue trying to save my return as PDF995 (i.e. as PDF). Reinstalling PDF995 software (it comes with H&R Block software) did not help. When I looked under Print Settings it showed PDF995 as the default printer. I had to change the default printer to my real printer and then I was able to successfully save as PDF995. I wanted to share this tip in case someone else runs into this issue.
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You can find it on Amazon by following this link.
Ali Julia review ★★★★★
H&R Block supports e-filing part-year and / or nonresident returns for:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Utah
Virginia
All other states require part-year and non-resident returns to be printed and mailed.
Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana and Vermont programs do not include part-year / non-resident forms.
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