H&R Block

This review is long overdue… I’m not a huge fan of these type of tax places. However, three years ago, my old tax person had to take a leave of absence due to health reasons, and my husband and I found ourselves at H&R Block (we have zero interest in doing our own taxes!). My husband also receives a 20% discount at H&R Block thru work, so we thought we’d give it a go.
Our first two experiences were fine; the lady we ended up using was very helpful and friendly. The only two negatives I could say were 1) we had to wait 15 minutes or so past our appointment time both times and 2) it is obviously more expensive than going to a private tax preparer.
Our third (and last) experience was this past February, when, due to having to complete a long form, we were expected to pay DOUBLE what we had paid the previous two years. At that point, when your taxes are completed and you are sitting there with checkbook in hand, there’s no going back. So, we were forced to pay an astronomical amount to have our taxes done. Keep in mind we do not itemize, do not have children, no dividends. But, we did have some deductions due to home improvements and some extra income, hence the long form.
When I questioned this total, we were told that it was due to completion of the long form, versus the short form the previous two years.
Needless to say, we will never return. We will go back to using a private tax preparer from now on.