Last year I used H&R Block’s TaxCut Free File (HR Block) to file my taxes. This year I went with them again and wish I hadn’t.
Today I was filing both my taxes and my partner’s taxes (we were filing separately). She and I make basically the same amount of money and do similar jobs. Our tax situations have not changed since last year and we (still) meet all the IRS requirements for being Free Filers. I did my return first using H&R Block’s TaxCut Free File. Like I was supposed to, I used the www.irs.gov link to get to their software.
Here are the reasons why I didn’t use H&R block to do my partner’s taxes after I had just done mine with it.
- It was not free. I ended up being charged $9.95
- I tried to login with Firefox 1.5 and did not see anything except their header
- I had to then use Safari (which did work)
- I tried to fill out their “Survey” form, but I could not submit it because they didn’t serve me the form fill in for my email address or phone (and then required one or the other for submission).
- I got the impression that H&R Block hated Mac OSX users.
Granted, $9.95 really isn’t that much, but when they promise to do it for free (and I used the proper link from the irs.gov), they shouldn’t dump you into their TaxCut Basic service. In their defense they do state up front the charges, but because I had used them the year before, and because I came through the IRS FREE FILE site, I thought they were just notifying people that there would be a charge if you didn’t meet the adjusted gross income requirement. I assumed that after they figured I was eligible that this charge would not apply. After I spent hours doing my taxes and it was time to e-file, they asked for my credit card. Then, I had to make a decision between dumping all that work and starting over with another company or paying them.
So I paid H&R Block and then used TaxAct Online to file my partner’s taxes. Hers were free, the way mine should have been.
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Quote | Link | March 6th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Chris Peel wrote,
H&R Block is a load of bollocks… Its false advertising to send out these emails..
Welcome to TaxCut technical support. Please wait while we find a technical support agent to assist you.
All agents are currently busy. Please stand by.
You have been connected to Shantrell H..
Shantrell H.: Hello CHRISTOPHER, welcome to H&R Block’s Live TaxCut Support Chat in North America! How can we assist you today?
XXXXXXXX: Last year I was able to e-file for free, now it says I have to pay 9.95 for ‘Basic TCLFed’ what is that? and why do I have to pay for it. The link in my email said it was free…
Shantrell H.: In order to use free file again you would have to create another account.
XXXXXXXX: that is rather odd, it worked for me last year
XXXXXXXX: and the year before as well, I suppose I shall just go to TaxAct
XXXXXXXX: what is that fee for anyway thouhg?
Shantrell H.: Just for the program.
XXXXXXXX: well thats not exactly ‘free’ well is it…
XXXXXXXX: thank you for your time
Shantrell H.: If you create another username then the product is free.
XXXXXXXX: I fail to see the point in that… It wastes time, in the link I received in my email it says “Your username is: apsbainc See for yourself. Get TaxCut Online Basic E-file for FREE %u2013 when you chooseH&R Block again this year”
XXXXXXXX: it says nothing about having to create a new account for it to be free
Shantrell H.: I know
Shantrell H.: I have seen this before
Shantrell H.: If you want to take advantage of the free file you have to create another account.
XXXXXXXX: it is most unfortunate and frustrating…
Shantrell H.: I understand,.
Shantrell H.: I do apologize for the misunderstanding.
XXXXXXXX: Well thank you for your time, I suppose I shall have to make a new one then.
Quote | Link | February 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Oliver wrote,
I came across the same charge. I went back through the IRS website and when I came to the HRBlock I started over. It gave me an option that I think I missed before that asked me if I wanted to Free E-File (and start my taxes back over) or use the basic Pay E-File. I chose the free did my taxes again and it was free of charge. The problem with these sites is you have to read carefully and even then sometime they hide the options you want or at the very least make it the least obvious thing on the page.
Quote | Link | March 13th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Ray wrote,
I went back and looked at all of the emails that Block had sent, and they all clearly stated that if you return using your previous user ID, that your previous tax info would be imported and used for a basic fee of $9.99.
The main reason I went with Block was that I had used them (for free) the previous two years and was quite satisfied with the application. They very clearly stated in all of their correspondence that there would be a fee if you used the service as a returning user, so I can’t fault them for that. I figure $9.99 after three years of use is not a bad deal - they are a business, and they are providing this service as a means of generating income. I’ll be using them again next year.
Quote | Link | April 7th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Elizabeth Norton wrote,
I want to know why I was charged 14.95 then when everyone else seems to be 9.95.
Quote | Link | April 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Mandy wrote,
I was also going to be charged $14.95…hmm…maybe because we were doing it last minute?
Quote | Link | April 14th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Elizabeth wrote,
Response to being charged to free-file
I had the same problem. It turns out that if you simply re-log in from the link that says it is free, then it won’t charge you. I guess when you start it but log in at the regular page, it doesn’t give you the free service, which is like a special promotion.
For me, I was about to file and it said “Basic TCLFed - $14.95″. I was annoyed (and googled it and found this website and tried to call them but all their agents were busy). Finally I tried the original link to the free file, logged in from there, and then it said “Basic TCLFed - $0.00″. I believe it is the same service, but just a difference in whether or not there is this special promotion.
The original link I found to the free file is available (at this time) at http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/products/product.jsp?productId=31 , and then you want to click on “Free Basic File”.
I also think that for people who’ve used it in previous years this should still work. (I used it last year). Log in with your old username, but if it says it will cost money, then re-log-in (same account) from the link to the free basic file.
Hope this helps anyone else who might come across this website with the same problem!!!
- Liz
Quote | Link | April 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Tiffany Starks wrote,
DO NOT FILE YOUR TAXES WITH H AND R BLOCK…..They are a rip off on Wednesday and I paid for the two day refund service and they dropped the ball on doing my taxes and now I have to wait 8-15 business days on my refund check. I called their bullshit ass bank and the bank said that they could’nt stop payment on the check because I wanted to void my entire tax return out and file with another tax business. The stupid ass bank said ‘OH WE DON’T VIOD CHECKS ITS JUST OUR POLICY. And the fuck up part of the whole damn thing is that H and R Block will not refund the money back that I paid them to do my taxes!!!!!!!!!!! I will never fuck with them again!!! If you have any commnon sense you will not file your taxes or get a mortgage loan with H and R Block they will screw you over!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote | Link | January 30th, 2010 at 9:35 am