H&R Block

I’m a big fan of this place, because I find the accountants here to be very good and helpful. I’m a huge fan of Sally, who has helped me for so many years I seriously lost count. It’s what makes me keep coming back year after year, even though I no longer live in the area.
My only issue with this place is the constant worry of the receptionists who often seem disorganized and lost when it comes to figuring out schedules. Not only have I encountered issues. but I’ve also seen many people frustrated with mixups on the books/​calendar etc. That’s what makes this place lose a star in my view.
But beyond that, I do like how people here do spend a good amount of time making sure things are tip top … which is great, but be ready to expect many appointments go long and have a cascading effect on everyone else’s schedule as the day goes on …

I booked an appointment online and called to confirm the appointment and they told me that they were understaffed when I got there.
They don’t care about people’s time and effort.

Kept me waiting for 35 minutes with an appointment and the preparer never even bothered to come out to apologize! If you decide to use H&R Block do not see Marilyn Kendrick unless you want to waste your entire afternoon.

My wife and I decided to go to HR Block instead of filing through TurboTax, as it was our first year married and wanted to make sure we were maximizing our return. Unfortunately, the women we worked with had zero interest in helping us maximize our tax return. She didn’t ask us a single question about possible deductions, and then when we asked questions, would respond with jargon filled responses and would then get upset when we asked for additional clarifications. Her body language was also terrible… lots of banging on her keyboard and sighing that made it very uncomfortable. Worst of all, when the return amount came out much lower than in years previous, we asked her to see what happens to our return if we filed Married, but separately. It amounted to over $ 2k difference, and when I pointed this out she said she wasn’t sure, she wasn’t writing it down. I PAY YOU TO HELP ME MAXIMIZE MY TAX RETURN. She was clearly interested in churning out another return. Thank goodness we went in January… god help the poor souls who see her around tax day. Thankfully we were missing a form and couldn’t file. We will absolutely not be returning to this H&R Block, and advise you avoid it as well.

I showed up for my appointment. I had my confirmation number and email with the date and time. They had no record of my appointment or anyone available to see me. They were hardly apologetic, but offered to reschedule. If they can’t manage a calendar and don’t seem bothered by that fact, I’d rather go elsewhere.

The tax preparer was fine. It was the front desk that messed up. I paid with a check and the guy stamped it VOID. WTH? A week later they called me to let me know the mistake and I paid with a credit card by phone. Be aware they charge you $ 250 for a simple short form return.

My accountant was helpful during the tax preparation process. It went smoothly and she was delightful. However, very serious problems arose after filing (extra taxes were charged by state governments). I contacted my accountant and dropped paperwork off at the branch. She phoned me to say that she received the paperwork and would look into it. I heard nothing for 2 weeks and in the meantime, a final warning letter arrived from the state government noting that I need to pay these extra taxes. My accountant hadn’t handled the issue, nor had she called me to say that this she can’t handle it and I need to act on my own. (I purchased their «peace of mind» plan, which, in theory, is a safety net plan that is supposed to help in cases like this). Thankfully I called the state tax center directly and narrowly escaped having a judgment placed against me. Had I not had the good sense to take care of this myself, my credit rating would be ruined for 7 years. A major issue.
The other problem is that now I want to file a formal complaint, and have to go through their call center in Florida. This is a terrible call center!
As much as H&R Block is convenient, do not take a chance. Use an accountant whose reputation is on the line if they do sloppy work. H&R Block accountants are not easily reachable, and the H&R Block call center /​bureaucracy is impenetrable.

I had an ideal tax preparation experience with this location of H&R Block. 2012 was the first full year that I was not a dependent on my parents, so I was a bit of a babe in the woods in this regard.
I walked in one night after work without an appointment perfectly aware that I might wait for up to 45 minutes, but miraculously they had an opening so we got started right away. I had a relatively simple tax return, slightly complicated by the fact that I moved into the ‘burbs halfway through 2012. The associate took about 30 minutes to complete my return, chatting with me and explaining everything in the forms.
The best part: the price. My federal return was free, and my two state returns cost $ 40 each. Considering that the cost was a fraction of my return, I would have to say that’s a success.

To preface, I got a discount for making little money in 2011 (check to see if you qualify). Overall my experience was great. The gentleman named Robert was so helpful, kind, and relaxed… which are 3 important qualities in a personality that are sorely absent in New York City. I’m definitely planning to go back next year to file for 2012.

I should have known better. Since I recently moved and tax time was closing in, I was hasty and lazy, so I decided to use the H&R Block down the block from where I now live. They have you sign their agreement and as they start you on the return process, they tell you how much it costs. I went home and noticed that they charged more than 50% more than what I paid last year for a similar return from my old and reliable tax preparer.

Caveat emptor.
I’ve used online tax preparation software before (mostly turbotax), and have more or less been satisfied – but really, who doesn’t suspect that they are missing out on great deductions? And who has time to research those deductions? And the ultimate question: is it worth getting those deductions if you have to pay someone a bunch of money to tell you about them?
This year I had some more complicated questions about what I could deduct. I figured I’d better go see a professional. H and R Block’s the first name that came to to mind, so I thought I’d give it a go; their online programs cost from $ 35 to $ 75, and I figured live, one on one counseling couldn’t be that much more expensive, maybe $ 150 at the very high end for someone with a moderately complicated return [me]. Plus I had a coupon from retail-​me-​not for $ 25.
Bottom line: I went in, and it seems like their advisors/​tax professionals are all on point and all capable with H and R Block’s software. It took them twenty minutes to go through the whole damn thing, which would have taken me at least four hours and a lot of frustration.
Then the bill came: almost $ 250! For every minor adjustment on your tax forms they ding you another 20 or 30 dollars – even if that adjustment takes them 20 seconds to make. And of course once you’re in there, they act on the assumption that you’ve already hired them, when maybe you just wanted to check out their services (in all fairness, we worked out a deal to bring it down by almost a $ 100, but still).
Given that I went in expecting to sit and talk with someone, go over the options, and have them give me a fair assessment of what I should do, it was the least bit annoying to have them give me a bill for three or four times the amounts they quote on the website.
I understand that they need to make money, and that a sticker price of $ 250 would scare away many potential customers, even if those customers would find the service worth it. But still. There’s a big bait and switch going on here, and it’s not good long term business strategy.