I have used a different tax prep software for years. It's straight forward, picks up where you leave off, double checks for mistakes and has a great printout for your records. H&R block was ok. It's 1/3 of the price of the other software, it doesn't open to where you left off and the forms for worksheets and state are, well, sloppy. I think next year I'll just use federal and efile state based on this first impression with H&R Block. Just ok. The other problem I encountered was importing other financial information. But... it was cheap.
Overall acceptable but with the new laws descriptions and prompts were weak. The ability to go back and change anything was not effcient and difficult to clarify.
I have used this software for many years and feel comfortable with it. I do wish there was an easier way to reach a "Real Person" when I have a question the help screens don't address. How about a special phone number for long time users??? Only complaint is being hit with ads when I click to various screens and having to scroll past the ad to get to what I am looking for. Remember, I already bought the software!
I've used H&R Block software - Deluxe and State for 6 years, being retired for the last three. Simply put, I have confidence in a good outcome. While you deserve the 5 stars, I would ask for improvement. I'm a former railroad employee and therefore retirement is governed by other than social security rules. As you know, at the end of each year, the Railroad Retirement Board sends each retiree two forms, a green RRB-1099 and a blue RRB-1099-B. To most of us who receive them, the dollar numbers provided are somewhat mysterious and the instructions on the back side of the forms are confusing no matter how many times a layman reads them. I'm not sure I answered correctly one or two of your interview questions and wonder if it impacted the outcome. I am asking that you could provide on the federal software a paragraph or two for those entering RR detail explaining in terms an ordinary person would understand regarding what the Feds want. The RRB forms are poor in this way and I believe the ordinary retiree could not tell you if the forms in any way provide what they were paid in Tier I and Tier II in the applicable tax year. Incredible. The Virginia tax forms need even more help. In the subtractions section, it is important that the filer include the proper amount of Tier II monies that should be deducted from the federal return since Virginia is not supposed to tax any retirement money paid by the RRB. But what is the correct amount? And why doesn't H&R prompt folks if they don't include info in this field?!! This is huge and must shake the confidence of many in your product. I believe the H&R Block program can accurately provide that number AND can explain it to the filer in a comforting manner. Please make these changes.