Tax return - TurboTax vs. H&R Block At Home

Giuly · 10:36 AM

Well, it's still a little early, but are you filing with TurboTax or H&R Block At Home this year?
TurboTax seems a lot easier to use, but having your return reviewed and signed by an H&R Block agent is compelling, too. Also, it's less expensive.

So, what's it for you this year, and why?

iMikeT · Jan 28, 2013, 10:37 AM

Neither. I used some free online-based preparation last that I can't remember the name of and I hope to do the same this year. If not, I'll manually enter my tax info on the forms this year. 1040ez's are not hard, anyone can do it and it takes only an hour or two with or without preparation software. Try preparing a schedule D by yourself like I have to because of my stock transactions.

fhall1 · Jan 28, 2013, 10:38 AM

Turbotax.....been using it since my pre-Mac days (2007) on the PC....works well and imports previous year data making things rather simple.

FoxFifth · Jan 28, 2013, 11:18 AM

I've been using TaxAct the last 4 or 5 years. Their deluxe bundle which includes federal and state returns and efiling for both is $17.95 and they have been discounting that to $13.95 for returning customers so that is what I have paid every year after the first year. It will import from a variety of sources (although I haven't used that) and also will import from the prior year return which I have used. When I first used it I thought it was more straightforward and easier to use than TurboTax but that is a comparison from 5 years ago. http://www.taxactonline.com

BlendedFrog · Jan 28, 2013, 11:33 AM

I have been using turbotax for years. It's been my go-to software and I don't think I could use anything else. I do like the fact that they make it so your tax file is cross-platform compatible. So if you start it on a mac, you can open it on a win pc and finish it.

WRP · Jan 28, 2013, 11:36 AM

I used to use TurboTax but found H&R better once I started my business. If you're not married with kids, don't own a home or a business, taxes are pretty simple and it doesn't really matter what you use, IMHO.

Weaselboy · Jan 28, 2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giuly

Well, it's still a little early, but are you filing with TurboTax or H&R Block At Home this year?
TurboTax seems a lot easier to use, but having your return reviewed and signed by an H&R Block agent is compelling, too. Also, it's less expensive.

So, what's it for you this year, and why?

Turbotax here. I get the digital DL direct from Amazon. Turbotax does a really nice job importing your return from last year. I always e-file with Turbotax and it is very seamless. Also has the option to save a PDF version of the return.

Never used H&R, so can't comment.

talmy · Jan 28, 2013, 12:08 PM

I switched from TurboTax to H&R Block about 5 years ago when the former instituted a troublesome anti-piracy measure that prevented printing returns on a second system. I don't think they do that anymore, but Block's lower pricing and the fact they aren't Intuit keeps me with them. My returns are complex with multiple employers, self employment, investments, and retirement income all needing to be factored in. I do occasionally find bugs in Block (I might have found bugs in TurboTax as well!) and it is certainly advisable to know what you are doing and check the final return before submitting if you have anything but a simple return.

zosobao5150 · Jan 28, 2013, 01:37 PM

I have also been using taxact for the last 4 or 5 years. Never any issues and pretty cheap. It also imports data well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxFifth

I've been using TaxAct the last 4 or 5 years. Their deluxe bundle which includes federal and state returns and efiling for both is $17.95 and they have been discounting that to $13.95 for returning customers so that is what I have paid every year after the first year. It will import from a variety of sources (although I haven't used that) and also will import from the prior year return which I have used. When I first used it I thought it was more straightforward and easier to use than TurboTax but that is a comparison from 5 years ago. http://www.taxactonline.com

MCAsan · Jan 28, 2013, 05:25 PM

TT for years

in2tech · Jan 28, 2013, 07:31 PM

Downloaded the app from the Mac App store. Is the $29.99 a one time in app purchase and how many family members taxes can you do and how many e-files, or is it $29.99 for each persons taxes?

Has anyone used the Mac App store Turbo Tax?

glenthompson · Jan 28, 2013, 09:07 PM

Used to use TurboTax but Intuit pissed me off so I've been using HR Block for a number of years. In reviews, TurboTax comes out a little ahead but not much. For most filers it doesn't matter as their returns are simple. Most could do fine with the web versions.

The one thing I dislike about both is the cost for state e-filing. Two years ago my son had to file in two states so got dinged for 2 filing fees.

Jan 28, 2013, 10:30 AM	#1
Giuly macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: That depends whether you ask for timezone, state of mind or GPS coordinates.	Tax return - TurboTax vs. H&R Block At Home Well, it's still a little early, but are you filing with TurboTax or H&R Block At Home this year? TurboTax seems a lot easier to use, but having your return reviewed and signed by an H&R Block agent is compelling, too. Also, it's less expensive. So, what's it for you this year, and why? Last edited by Giuly; Jan 28, 2013 at 10:36 AM.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 10:38 AM	#3
fhall1 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY State	Turbotax.....been using it since my pre-Mac days (2007) on the PC....works well and imports previous year data making things rather simple. __________________ 2012 2.3GHz i7 Mini, 16GB RAM; 2009 2.93 GHz C2D iMac, 8GB RAM, 640GB HD, GT120 1.83 GHz CD Mini, 2GB RAM, 200GB HD; 800 MHz 17" G4 iMac, 1GB RAM, 120GB HD 32GB White iPhone 4S, 32GB White iPad2
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 12:08 PM	#8
talmy macrumors 68030 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oregon	I switched from TurboTax to H&R Block about 5 years ago when the former instituted a troublesome anti-piracy measure that prevented printing returns on a second system. I don't think they do that anymore, but Block's lower pricing and the fact they aren't Intuit keeps me with them. My returns are complex with multiple employers, self employment, investments, and retirement income all needing to be factored in. I do occasionally find bugs in Block (I might have found bugs in TurboTax as well!) and it is certainly advisable to know what you are doing and check the final return before submitting if you have anything but a simple return. __________________ 27" i7 iMac, 15" MacBook Pro, Mac mini with SL Server, 4 other Macs and an Apple TV.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 05:25 PM	#10
MCAsan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2012	TT for years __________________ Retina MBP 2.7GHz \| 16GB \| 768G Thunderbolt Display iPhone 5 \| Black \| 64GB \| AT&T iPad 4 \| Black \| 64GB \| WiFi only
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 07:31 PM	#11
in2tech macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2012	Downloaded the app from the Mac App store. Is the $29.99 a one time in app purchase and how many family members taxes can you do and how many e-files, or is it $29.99 for each persons taxes? Has anyone used the Mac App store Turbo Tax? __________________  MacBook Air (October 2012) i5,4 GB Ram,128 SSD  The New iPad (3rd gen) (March 2012) Black Retina 16GB WiFi  Mini iPad (November 2012) Black 16 GB Verizon LTE
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 10:37 AM	#2
iMikeT macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California	Neither. I used some free online-based preparation last that I can't remember the name of and I hope to do the same this year. If not, I'll manually enter my tax info on the forms this year. 1040ez's are not hard, anyone can do it and it takes only an hour or two with or without preparation software. Try preparing a schedule D by yourself like I have to because of my stock transactions.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 11:18 AM	#4
FoxFifth macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2012	I've been using TaxAct the last 4 or 5 years. Their deluxe bundle which includes federal and state returns and efiling for both is $17.95 and they have been discounting that to $13.95 for returning customers so that is what I have paid every year after the first year. It will import from a variety of sources (although I haven't used that) and also will import from the prior year return which I have used. When I first used it I thought it was more straightforward and easier to use than TurboTax but that is a comparison from 5 years ago. http://www.taxactonline.com
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 11:33 AM	#5
BlendedFrog macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2010	I have been using turbotax for years. It's been my go-to software and I don't think I could use anything else. I do like the fact that they make it so your tax file is cross-platform compatible. So if you start it on a mac, you can open it on a win pc and finish it.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 11:36 AM	#6
WRP macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boston	I used to use TurboTax but found H&R better once I started my business. If you're not married with kids, don't own a home or a business, taxes are pretty simple and it doesn't really matter what you use, IMHO.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 09:07 PM	#12
glenthompson macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Roanoke VA	Used to use TurboTax but Intuit pissed me off so I've been using HR Block for a number of years. In reviews, TurboTax comes out a little ahead but not much. For most filers it doesn't matter as their returns are simple. Most could do fine with the web versions. The one thing I dislike about both is the cost for state e-filing. Two years ago my son had to file in two states so got dinged for 2 filing fees. __________________ 15" MacBook Pro (late 2011), iPhone 5 iPad 3rd gen, iPod Touch 3rd gen,ATV3 Snow Leopard Server 5TB
	0


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