H&R Block

hrblock.com
Accounting Software
Few Days

America's #1 full-service tax preparer

How to Replace H&R Block

Overview

H&R Block offers multiple ways to file taxes including DIY online filing, professional tax preparation in-person or online, and small business tax services. The platform provides step-by-step guided tax filing, expert review options, and financial products like refund advance loans.

Features

42 features across 15 categories

Account Management(1)

MyBlock Account

Secure account to store tax documents, chat with tax pros, and track refunds

Also in: Keeper, 1Password, Bitwarden

Business Services(5)

Bookkeeping ServicesPremium

Full-service bookkeeping for small businesses

Business Formation ServicesPremium

Help with forming and structuring a business

Creator SuitePremium

Tools and tips for content creators to file taxes and grow their business

Payroll ServicesPremium

Payroll processing for small businesses

Small Business TaxesPremium

Tax preparation services for self-employed, S corps, C corps, and partnerships

Communication(2)

Secure Chat with Tax ProPremium

Secure messaging to communicate with assigned tax professional

Virtual Call SupportPremium

Virtual call option to speak directly with tax professional

Also in: Jobber, Jira, Insightly

Core Filing(1)

Online Tax Filing

Step-by-step instructions to file taxes online at your own pace on any device

Educational Resources(2)

Income Tax Course

63-hour income tax course for learning tax preparation

Tax Knowledge Base

Resource center with tax articles, tax questions, and life stage guides

Financial Products(8)

Emerald Advance LoanPremium

Loan product for tax refund advances

Emerald CardPremium

Prepaid debit card for receiving tax refunds

Refund Advance LoanPremium

Get up to $4,000 within minutes of filing with a tax pro with no fees or interest

Refund TransferPremium

Financial product to manage refund processing

Spruce Early RefundPremium

Get federal refunds up to 5 days early through Spruce

Spruce Mobile BankingPremium

Mobile banking app for managing finances

Spruce RewardsPremium

Cash back rewards program for Spruce debit card

Spruce Savings AccountPremium

Savings account with variable APY through Spruce

Also in: Adyen

Guarantees(3)

100% Accuracy Guarantee

Guarantee to reimburse penalties and interest if H&R Block makes an error

Bookkeeping GuaranteePremium

Guarantee to correct bookkeeping errors at no additional charge

Maximum Refund Guarantee

If H&R Block error results in smaller refund, refund tax prep fee and file amended return free

Mobile(1)

Mobile Apps

Mobile applications including MyBlock and Spruce mobile banking

Also in: monday.com, Smartsheet, Calendly

Pricing(2)

Free Edition

Free online filing for simple tax situations (approximately 52% of filers qualify)

No Surprise Pricing

Upfront pricing with notification of any changes

Professional Services(6)

Full-Service Tax PrepPremium

Work with a dedicated tax pro in-person or online to handle all tax filing

In-Person Tax AppointmentsPremium

Schedule appointments to work with tax pros in person at neighborhood offices

ITIN ApplicationPremium

Assistance with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number applications

Professional Tax Pro ReviewPremium

Tax pro review, sign, and file your return after you complete it online

Tax Notice ServicesPremium

Services to help with IRS tax notices

Virtual Tax AppointmentsPremium

Work with tax pros from home via virtual calls and secure chat

Review Services(1)

Second Look Review

Free review of past 3 years of tax returns to find missed money or errors

Security(1)

Peace of Mind Tax Identity ShieldPremium

Identity protection service for tax filing

Specialized Services(1)

Expat TaxesPremium

Tax preparation for U.S. expats and international tax situations

Support(4)

Generative AI Chat SupportAIPremium

24/7 AI-powered chat for real-time support at any step of tax prep

Help Center

Online help center with support articles

Live Tax Pro HelpPremium

Live assistance from tax professionals during tax preparation

Unlimited Expert HelpPremium

Unlimited access to expert help for Deluxe, Premium, and Self-Employed products

Tools(4)

Tax Calculator

Tool to estimate refund or tax liability owed

Tax Prep Checklist

Checklist to prepare documents needed for tax filing

W-4 Calculator

Calculator tool for Form W-4 withholding calculations

Where's My Refund

Tool to track refund status

Pricing

Free Online Edition

Free
  • Online tax filing for simple returns
  • W-2 income filing
  • Limited interest and dividend income up to $1,500
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)
  • Unemployment income filing
  • Student loan interest deduction
  • Retirement plan distributions
  • Standard deduction
  • Step-by-step guided filing
  • File on any device

Do-It-Yourself with Tax Pro Review

Custom pricing per state
  • File your own taxes online
  • Tax pro review, sign, and file
  • Expert error checking
  • Savings identification
  • Secure chat with pro
  • Virtual call support

Full-Service Tax Prep

$89+
  • Dedicated tax pro handles everything
  • In-person or online service
  • One-on-one guidance
  • Choose your pro or get matched
  • File in as little as one hour
  • Support for all tax situations
  • Unlimited expert help
  • Generative AI chat support
  • Live tax pro help
  • 24/7 support

Cost Calculator

Pricing data not available for H&R Block. Check their website for current pricing.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a H&R Block alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 42 features.

Buy H&R Block

Better Value
Monthly costContact Sales
3-year totalVaries
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$36,000
Maintenance$540/mo
3-year total$55,440
Dev time~3 months

Buying H&R Block saves ~$55,440 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 42 features and a BuildScore of 4/5. Actual costs vary.