This is the third year I have used H & R software. All was great except: 1. the HSA part where my husband has it, I don't, and no place to click for just him, 2. down to the final e-filing and the self filling AGI for him was wrong and I spent too much time trying to figure out how to override it and put the correct AGI from 2015 in so we could get the thing accepted by the feds. Should be buttons where you can go back to access that info quicker. Other than this, all went fine.
Cons: Hard to fix issues
Pros: Easy to install, Maximizes refund, Easy to import
While doing our 2016 taxes, we discovered what I believe is a bug in the Basic program. Our rental property was never used for personal use (zero days there) but was not rented for a month while maintenance was being performed between renters (335 days rented). Since we did not use it for personal use, all of our expenses are deductible. However, the schedule calculation by H&R Block Basic pro-rated all of our expenses as if we used it for personal use for a month.
Trying to report problems to H&R Block on their Basic program is extremely difficult - pretty much you have to call them. They don't seem to have an email or web interface for reporting problems.
I'd still use the program and have for several years. I wish they would make bug reporting easier though.
I have been using this program for YEARS now. My return is rather complex, and, when printed, is over 40 pages long. I have no problem following the step - by - step program. It is great that it saves things like ongoing depreciation from year to year. I have no reason to even consider any other program.
Pros: Easy to install, Easy to fix issues, Easy to prepare, Easy to import, Fast
My income is from SSA, pension and brokerage accounts. The brokerage accounts is where it falls short; I import online but it did not import dividends or interest. When you import dividend and interest from those screens it duplicates EVERYTHING. Dumb. On verification screen it asked me for my address on a brokerage account even though it already entered my name. The "issues before filing" are a pain. If I was a first time filer I would have thrown it out the window. Fortunately I have filed my own returns for 50 years.
I get my taxes done pretty quickly with this program, but only because I've used it for a long time and I know its quirks. The interview process can be slow going the first time. I'll keep using it as long as it's available in its current form since I don't want to have to learn how to use a new program. Highest refund? Who knows? Accurate? Only an audit will tell. One proper flaw: I use itemized lists, and despite a check-box making them available in print-outs, they never appear. This has been the case for a number of years now...