I've used H&R Block's tax software every year since 2004. Always some annoyances, but most of it is excellent.
Price Dips: Below 25 buckss. Sometimes below 20. It went to 22.49 on Jan 12, 2011, for example. Amazon has always had the best price. There's an "Online Price Alert" that will email you whenever this or any amazon product dips below your target price. Google it. It's nicely done.
The Download Version is often a few dollars less.
Unlimited number of tax returns: (family members, what-if copies of your return, etc.) I think TurboTax also lets you do this now, but in the past TurboTax pulled some real nasty tricks with licensing/copy protection, and they continue to charge 18-45% more than H&R Block.
It includes unlimited paper filings for one state ($ 19.95 extra per state e-file). So, I just file state returns on paper.
"Free" tax softwares like TaxAct might be the thing if your return is very simple, but their better versions are almost as expensive as H&R Block at low tide, and not as good.
So far, the 2010 version is just like 2009. (I did a side-by-side run-through.)
Typical minor annoyances: (all carry-overs from 2009)
- Upgrade pitches: They weave it into the interview and make it sound as if "an upgrade to Premium is advised for your situation" even when it makes little or no sense for your situation. Sleazy.
- Unclear wording in a few places, although most wording is very clear and accurate.
- Privacy Policy: During install, you can hit a "View Privacy Policy" button, which as of Dec 8, 2010 does not work. Or go to a 37-character url (must hand type it...no copy-paste). You can then view their "Privacy Notice" or their equally obscure "Online Privacy Practices and Principles." Both have a reassuring tone while offering rather little privacy protection from marketing partners but your information will be used "in accordance with law."
- Copy...Paste from Interview screens. That would be handy at times. No can do. Can't print them either. Only way I found is ALT + PrintScreen, then paste the graphic into Word or a paint program.
Critical reviews:
I have been using "Taxcut" (as it has always been called since last year) for over 10 years now. I have never had any problems with it, so I thought. I just recently discovered it is missing Form 8891 (for Canadians living in the US with an RRSP). This form is not provided in the software and there is no prompt that you should file this *required* form. (TurboTax, on the other hand, does provide this form.)
I posted a question about this in the H&R Block forum, and my question was deleted immediately. I did receive an email from H & R Block which basically said they were sorry for the inconvenience and I could request a refund if purchased within 60 days. I wondered why I could find no info on this matter in their online support forum. Since they deleted my post, perhaps they have deleted similar posts as well? And it makes you wonder what else is missing, not just from their forum, but more importantly, from their software. Very disappointed.
I posted a question about this in the H&R Block forum, and my question was deleted immediately. I did receive an email from H & R Block which basically said they were sorry for the inconvenience and I could request a refund if purchased within 60 days. I wondered why I could find no info on this matter in their online support forum. Since they deleted my post, perhaps they have deleted similar posts as well? And it makes you wonder what else is missing, not just from their forum, but more importantly, from their software. Very disappointed.
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