TurboTax vs H&R Block 2026

For most straightforward returns — W-2 income, standard deduction, basic investment accounts — H&R Block matches TurboTax's guided experience closely at a lower price and includes free Worry-Free Audit Support on paid tiers. TurboTax's price premium is best justified for complex returns where its SmartLook (live CPA/EA on-demand) is most valuable, or for filers who strongly prefer its polished UX. For simple-to-moderate returns, the outcome is the same; the difference is the experience and support tier.

H&R Block operates over 9,000 retail tax offices in the US. If you start with their software and run into a complex situation mid-return — or want a human to review before filing — you can transfer your digital return to an in-office tax professional for a fee. TurboTax has no in-person locations; its equivalent is Live Full Service (a virtual CPA/EA who prepares your return remotely). H&R Block's physical offices are the differentiator for filers who want a local, face-to-face option as a fallback.

Yes. Both platforms let you import a prior-year return from the competing software (TurboTax imports H&R Block .tax files; H&R Block imports TurboTax .tax files) to carry forward prior-year data. You're not locked in. The main friction is re-entering any information not captured in the import and learning a slightly different UX. Many filers switch based on pricing or promotions each year without issue.

Both TurboTax and H&R Block have free tiers, but coverage varies. TurboTax Free Edition covers simple W-2 returns with standard deduction, basic interest income, and child tax credit — it does not cover Schedule C, itemized deductions, or investment sales. H&R Block Free Online is more generous — it includes student loan interest deduction, HSA contributions, and child/dependent care credit at no charge. The IRS Free File program (irs.gov/freefile) offers both platforms free to taxpayers below an income threshold. For more complex returns, both require paid tiers. Verify current free-tier coverage on each platform before starting.

H&R Block includes free Worry-Free Audit Support on paid desktop and online products — a tax professional will help you respond to an IRS notice and represent you during an audit at no additional charge. TurboTax's standard products do not include audit representation; TurboTax Audit Defense (through Protection Plus) is a paid add-on with full representation. Both companies offer basic audit guidance for free. For filers who want built-in representation coverage without an add-on fee, H&R Block has a structural advantage. Source: IRS audit process guidance at irs.gov.

Both platforms offer self-employed tiers that handle Schedule C (sole proprietor income), Schedule SE (self-employment tax), home office deductions, and vehicle mileage tracking. TurboTax Self-Employed includes a year-round QuickBooks Self-Employed subscription (expense tracking app) as a bundled perk. H&R Block Self-Employed is typically priced lower. Both platforms support crypto income reporting, gig economy income (1099-NEC, 1099-K), and rental income (Schedule E). Pricing for self-employed tiers changes annually — compare current pricing at tax season on each platform before purchasing.