The two biggest names in tax software compared on price, features, accuracy, and support
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.
| 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 | 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 |
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H&R Block is cheaper at every tier and includes free state filing. Deluxe: H&R Block ~$35 vs TurboTax ~$69.
Both guarantee accuracy and produce identical results. TurboTax may surface more deductions through its interview style.
Yes. H&R Block imports from any prior-year software including TurboTax.
Yes, 12,000+ offices across the US. TurboTax offers video CPA review only.
TurboTax Self-Employed has better tools but costs more ($119 vs $85). H&R Block is the value choice.
Both TurboTax and H&R Block update their pricing annually. Here is a detailed breakdown of what each tier includes and what you will actually pay for the 2026 tax year filing season:
The best tax software depends entirely on your tax situation. Here is a decision framework based on common taxpayer profiles:
Verdict: Either works — use the free tier of both. If you earn wage income, take the standard deduction, and claim basic credits (EITC, child tax credit), both TurboTax Free and H&R Block Free will handle your return. H&R Block Free has a slight edge because it also covers student loan interest deduction and education credits at no extra cost.
Verdict: TurboTax Self-Employed has better tools, but H&R Block saves $84. TurboTax Self-Employed ($169) offers superior expense categorization, industry-specific deduction suggestions, and integrated QuickBooks. H&R Block Self-Employed ($85 with free state) does the same job adequately at roughly half the price. If you have straightforward freelance income, H&R Block is the better value. If you have complex business expenses or multiple income streams, TurboTax is worth the premium.
Verdict: H&R Block Deluxe saves the most money. Both platforms handle mortgage interest, property taxes, and SALT deductions identically. H&R Block Deluxe costs $55 with a free state filing, versus TurboTax Deluxe at $69 plus $59 per state. That is a $73 savings for the same result. The 2026 SALT cap increase to $40,000 makes itemizing more valuable, but either platform handles it.
Verdict: TurboTax Premium for complex portfolios, H&R Block Premium for value. TurboTax Premium ($129 + $59/state) imports from more brokerages and handles cost basis calculations more smoothly. H&R Block Premium ($85 + free state) handles the same forms at a lower price. Both support cryptocurrency reporting.
Verdict: H&R Block, no contest. H&R Block operates 12,000+ physical offices where you can sit with a tax professional. TurboTax only offers virtual CPA assistance via video call (TurboTax Live). If face-to-face help matters to you, H&R Block is the only option.
Before paying for either product, check whether you qualify for completely free tax preparation:
If your income and tax situation qualify for any of these free options, there is no reason to pay for tax software. The free tiers from both companies are fully functional and produce accurate returns — they simply restrict which forms and schedules you can use.
For most taxpayers, no. H&R Block produces identical results at a lower price. TurboTax is worth the premium only if you value its more polished interface, AI-powered deduction suggestions, or integrated QuickBooks for self-employment — and are willing to pay $30-84 more for those features.
Yes. Both TurboTax and H&R Block offer a Maximum Refund Guarantee. If you get a larger refund using a different tax product with the same data, they will refund their software fee. Both also guarantee 100% accuracy and will pay any penalties resulting from calculation errors.
Yes, but this is where costs differ significantly. H&R Block includes one free state filing at every paid tier and charges about $37 for additional states. TurboTax charges $59 per state with no free state filing at any tier. If you file in two or more states, H&R Block saves you $60-100+.
Related: Tax Calculator | 2026 Tax Brackets | Deduction Finder | Standard vs Itemized
Tax calculations are estimates for educational and informational purposes only. This site does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Data sourced from IRS publications and official state tax authority websites.
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