H&R Block at Home Review

(Free federal e-file, $29.95 for state return). Long respected as a haven for taxpayers seeking low-cost professional tax preparation assistance, H&R Block offers a selection of comprehensive tax prep software for the do-it-yourself crowd. The most basic online version is free for a federal e-file, but you'll pay $29.95 to prepare and electronically file your state tax return; prices are higher for CD/download and more complex software packages. H&R Block At Home allows you to e-file multiple returns if you buy the CD or download version at a starting price of $24.95; if you use the free online version, you can prepare and file only one federal return. As Offers.com notes in an H&R Block At Home review, using downloadable software is a must if you're nervous about putting personal information on a provider's website.

H&R Block at Home's free version is best suited for very basic filers, meaning those who are not self-employed or reporting investment or rental property income. The free version guides users through each step of the process and double checks for any errors you might have made. If you want audit support from a tax professional or need to import last year's return from TurboTax or TaxCUT, however, you'll have to upgrade to the deluxe package, which starts at $29.95 for federal filing (state e-filing is extra). H&R Block At Home's deluxe version is appropriate for homeowners and investors, and all of the company's federal tax preparation products that you pay for include free audit support, so an H&R Block agent will represent you if you're audited. A satisfied customer who tried both TurboTax and H&R Block At Home concludes that the latter is the better value, according to an H&R Block At Home review on Amazon.

What makes H&R Block At Home stand out is the ability to communicate with a bona-fide tax pro as you prepare your return – but for this privilege, you'll pay a price. Tax filers who spend $79.95 on the Best of Both package can prepare returns online but have a tax professional review them, make necessary corrections, certify the results, and e-file. If you stick with the free online version, you can browse the tax tips section, check out the FAQs, and query a tax professional through an online message board. Help and support features, including phone and live chat, earn praise in an H&R Block At Home review by CNET.