Okay, I know it is a bit early to be thinking about taxes, but H&R Block has already started sending out their CDs with discount offers. As in year's past, the size of the discount offered on the CDs ranges very widely. And as in year's past, there is now a thread on slickdeals that describes how you can secure the highest CD-offered discount. You'll have to search for the thread, as it never gets front page treatment. Let me address a couple of questions up front: Is H&R Block the best tax software to use? I don't know. I have used it for years and have therefore come to like the way it goes about collecting the necessary data. Long time users say the same thing about TurboTax. I think it is fair to say that both give you the same result when used properly, and that is probably true for other tax software as well. Is this deal legit? The H&R Block CDs are sent out with an explicit request that you share the CD "with your friends". An argument might be made that the slickdeals thread promotes a much wider distribution than H&R Block intends. On the other hand, this discount sharing through slickdeals has been going on for several years now and I have to believe that H&R Block would have taken action to prevent it if they felt it was unfair use of the discount they offer. I see this as akin to sharing a coupon or promo code, and therefore believe it is legit.
I have used H&R block for at least 15 years. I have never tried Turbo tax because the price was always cheaper for H&R block. I usually paid way less than 30 for the Deluxe (state/federal) version. Amazon will usually have it for a bit over 20.00 at some time during the tax season. 9.95 for both? That's a great price. I assume that H&R block always wanted you to share, as they offer five, free Federal filings when you buy the software. Even if you share the software with friends, H&R block will make 20.00 for each state filing that is made. Assuming they pay state tax. They're getting at least some of the business, probably in the hopes that people will continue to use their software, in the future. Kind of like Americas Tires. Bring in a tire to fix a flat and they will do it for free. (It's not advertised). They do this in hopes that you will remember them when you need to buy tires. It does work as I've been a customer for nearly 20 years. They will even price match Costco tire prices.
I don't buy software to file my taxes. My taxes are usually so simple I just use use the free file-able forms on the IRS website https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free . It will open again in mid to late January, and they "say" that they erase their servers in October.
Amazon has it for the deal of the day for $19.99 for federal + state for people who just want to buy it from a retailer: https://www.amazon.com/s/browse/ref..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=QYYXGPGFS9H0PCSMDGZ7 This is also the Amazon 5% gift card bonus edition if you turn some of your return into an Amazon gift card.
Nice! That just saved me about $20. Thank you. I too like their software, but as mentioned I've been using it 10+ years and am familiar with it, and of course I can just pull up the previous year's info for a starting point as well. Dang, it's almost tax time again.
Great deal. I jumped on the $14.95 Deluxe + State deal on the H&R Block website a few weeks ago. Definitely worth it at either price. Don't forget to deduct the cost of the program (if you itemize!) from your taxes.
I've been doing this deal for several years now, no problems. Alternatively if you are very quick on the trigger and watch the deal sites compulsively, Amazon has a great deal once a year or so for a few hours. Personally when fatwallet failed I decided to save money by staying away from the deal sites. I've used H&R for years now, because I either had rental property or was self employed, and their version to handle those situations was far, far cheaper than Turbotax's. Much like esquared said, it works fine for me. Now if only H&R would get off the stick and send me out one of their teaser CDs, I haven't gotten any this year.
