H&R Block online review 2026: Free federal and state filing, 1000s of in-person locations

H&R Block's DIY tax-filing platform has garnered a huge following for its straightforwardness and affordability. The easy-to-use interface prompts users with questions to determine which tier is right and if they're eligible for various deductions.

If you have questions, paid plans come with expert help at no extra charge, giving users another layer of confidence. And there is an extensive network of brick-and-mortar branches for a more personal touch.

CNBC Select breaks down H&R Block's online tax-prep offerings to help you decide if it's a good match for your needs.

H&R Block offers four self-filing tiers, with unlimited tax pro help and AI Tax Assist with paid tiers. Listed prices are for federal returns; state filing is $37 extra.

Pricing is dynamic, so check the H&R Block website for current rates and discounts.

Free

H&R Block's free plan includes federal and state returns for W-2 income, unemployment and retirement benefits,.You can't itemize but you can claim the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and student loan interest deduction. For $55, you can prepare your return yourself, then have a tax pro review it.

Deluxe

All the perks of the free tier, plus the option to add childcare expenses, mortgage interest deduction, health savings accounts, freelance income and the premium tax credit for marketplace insurance. As with all paid tiers, users can itemize their deductions and store tax returns from the past six years. (Price: $60 + )

Premium

Same benefits as the Deluxe tier, as well as the ability to report income from rental properties, investments, and cryptocurrency sales. (Price: $100 +)

Self-Employed

Geared toward self-employed individuals, gig workers and small business owners, with the option to report business income, itemize business expenses and account for asset depreciation. Uber drivers can import their 1099-K or 1099-MISC directly from Uber. (Price: $120 +)

Auto-import documents: H&R Block accepts PDFs of last year's return from any provider or a data file from H&R Block or TurboTax. You can also upload a PDF of your W-2 and 1099s or smart import from participating employers.

Guarantees: H&R Block's accuracy guarantee reimburses users up to $10,000 for math errors that result in IRS penalties or interest. It also guarantees you'll get the maximum refund available: If you discover an error that entitles you to a larger rebate or smaller liability, your charges will be reimbursed and you can amend your return for free.

H&R Block offers several ways to get your refund:

• Direct deposit to a valid bank account.
• A paper check sent in the mail
• Deposit into a Spruce mobile app account, which can be available up to five days early.
• Existing Emerald Card clients can have their refund transferred to their card

For a $42 "refund transder" fee, you can pay H&R Block from your refund. Through March 15, 2026, Refund advance loans of up to $3,500 are available with no interest or fees. You'll need to open an account with the Spruce Mobile Banking app or get an H&R Block Emerald Card®, a prepaid debit card.

AI Tax Assist and unlimited live chat are available with all paid H&R plans. For an additional fee, you can select Tax Pro Review and have a tax professional analyze your source documents and completed return within three days for accuracy and any missed credits or deductions. (The cost of Tax Pro Review depends on the complexity of your return.)

When you file, you can purchase Worry-Free Audit Support for in-person representation if you get audited.

You can also get help at one of thousands of H&R Block branches nationwide. In-person assistance by a tax pro starts at $89, depending on your location and the complexity of your return. 

Here's how H&R Block stacks up to two other leading tax-prep programs.

H&R Block vs. TurboTax

H&R Block and TurboTax are fairly matched on offerings, with free and paid plans for a variety of tax situations.

TurboTax has also begun offering in-person tax assistance, removing one of H&R Block's main advantages. It also offers tax refund advance loans of up to $4,000, compared to $3,500 for H&R Block

It's still more expensive than H&R Block and its more detailed interface can slow you down. But it can also ensure you don't miss any deductions.

H&R Block vs. TaxSlayer

If you're a veteran filer, TaxSlayer could be a cheaper alternative to H&R Block. But those savings come at a cost — namely, a more basic interface and less robust customer support.

In addition, TaxSlayer doesn't have any brick-and-mortar locations for in-person assistance.

There's a reason H&R Block is a leader in online tax prep: It offers a variety of plans that cover common tax situations, including a free tier that, unlike many competitors, accepts student loan interest deductions.

H&R Block is also a great choice if additional customer support is a priority — it has both AI-driven assistance and human experts available to customers with paid plans at no extra charge.

If you're an experienced filer looking for the cheapest DIY option, there are online tax services with lower rates. Just be sure you're not sacrificing convenience or expertise for cost.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice to help them make informed financial decisions. Every tax review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of tax products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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