Which is more accurate, TurboTax or H&R Block?

Both guarantee maximum refund accuracy and will reimburse penalties if their software causes an error. They use the same IRS tax code and produce identical results given the same inputs. TurboTax has a more conversational interview style that may surface more deductions.

Can I switch from TurboTax to H&R Block?

Yes. H&R Block can import prior-year data from TurboTax PDF files or directly. Many taxpayers switch annually based on pricing.

Does H&R Block have in-person preparation?

Yes, approximately 12,000 offices across the US. TurboTax is primarily software, though Intuit offers TurboTax Live for video CPA review.

Which is better for self-employed taxes?

TurboTax Self-Employed has a slight edge with better expense categorization and Schedule C interface. H&R Block is significantly cheaper at $50-85 vs $119-169.

TurboTax vs H&R Block: Which Is Better in 2026?

Q: Is TurboTax or H&R Block cheaper?

H&R Block is generally cheaper at every tier. Both offer free versions for simple returns. Deluxe: H&R Block ~$35-55, TurboTax ~$69-89. H&R Block includes one free state filing; TurboTax charges $59 per state extra.

TurboTax and H&R Block together prepare more than 100 million tax returns annually. TurboTax, made by Intuit, is known for its polished interface and guided interview process. H&R Block offers a strong digital product plus 12,000+ physical offices for in-person help. Both guarantee accuracy and maximum refund — but pricing, features, and support differ.

Pricing Comparison (2026 Tax Year)

Tier	TurboTax	H&R Block
Free	$0 (W-2, standard deduction)	$0 (W-2, standard deduction, student loans)
Deluxe	$69 + $59/state	$35 + 1 free state
Premium	$89 + $59/state	$55 + 1 free state
Self-Employed	$119 + $59/state	$85 + 1 free state
Live CPA Review	$139-219	$89-195 (or in-person)
Full-Service	$259-409	$89-195 (in-office)

Feature Comparison

Feature	TurboTax	H&R Block
Interview Style	Conversational, step-by-step	Form-based with guidance
Deduction Finder	Excellent (AI-powered)	Good (checklist-based)
Accuracy Guarantee	100% or they pay penalties	100% or they pay penalties
Max Refund Guarantee	Yes	Yes
Audit Support	Basic free, Full $49+	Basic free, Full $19.99+
In-Person Option	No (video CPA only)	Yes (12,000+ offices)
Mobile App	4.7 stars	4.5 stars
Crypto Support	Yes (CoinTracker)	Yes (built-in)
Prior-Year Import	From TurboTax only	From any software or PDF

Key Differences

Pricing: H&R Block is $30-60 cheaper at every paid tier and includes one free state filing.
In-person help: H&R Block has 12,000+ offices. TurboTax only offers virtual CPA assistance.
User interface: TurboTax has a more polished, intuitive experience.
Deduction discovery: TurboTax is generally better at surfacing deductions through its AI interview.
Free tier: H&R Block Free covers more situations (student loan interest, education credits).
Self-employed: TurboTax Self-Employed is more refined but costs $34 more.
Import flexibility: H&R Block imports from any prior-year software.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose TurboTax if:

You want the most intuitive, guided filing experience
You have a complex return and want AI-powered deduction suggestions
You value a polished mobile app
You are self-employed and want integrated expense tracking

Choose H&R Block if:

Price is a priority — save $30-60 on most tiers
You want the option to visit a physical office
You are switching from another tax software
Your return is straightforward and the free tier covers your needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TurboTax or H&R Block cheaper? +

H&R Block is cheaper at every tier and includes free state filing. Deluxe: H&R Block ~$35 vs TurboTax ~$69.

Which is more accurate? +

Both guarantee accuracy and produce identical results. TurboTax may surface more deductions through its interview style.

Can I switch between them? +

Yes. H&R Block imports from any prior-year software including TurboTax.

Does H&R Block have in-person help? +

Yes, 12,000+ offices across the US. TurboTax offers video CPA review only.

Which is better for self-employed? +

TurboTax Self-Employed has better tools but costs more ($119 vs $85). H&R Block is the value choice.