H&R Block Review

Overall Ranking

4.35/5

Overview

Affordability

4.5/5

Comprehensiveness

4.5/5

Usability

4/5

Customer support

4.5/5

H&R Block is a long-standing, credible name and a great choice for filing your taxes. The flexibility, accessibility, and affordability combined with superior customer support options make H&R Block one of our top choices for online tax preparation software in Canada. Overall, H&R Block is a trusted brand and an excellent option if you want to file your taxes online.

Jordann Brown

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Best for:

• Families, students and individual returns
• New Canadians & first-time online tax filing
• Expert help
• Maximum Refund Guarantee
• Fast refunds
• Audit Protection

There are many other online tax preparation software programs you can use besides H&R Block. Other options include paying a professional accountant, filing your return manually on paper, or using one of the free community volunteer income tax programs offered by the CRA, some of which are even offered virtually.

About H&R Block

H&R Canada is a tax preparer that has been doing business in Canada for more than 55 years. H&R Block initially offered its services through traditional retail locations (in fact, you might recognize their logo from a storefront in your city). However, over the years, they have migrated their services online and now offer tax preparing software on desktop and mobile devices.

Their online software offers the same perks and benefits as their in-person filing service, including flexible pricing depending on your situation, good customer service, and integration with the Canada Revenue Agency’s NETFILE tool.

H&R Block Price Plans

Like most online tax software programs, H&R Block offers several versions of their software at different price points, so you only pay for what you need. With this online tax software, there are three tiers of pricing:

Free Version ($0.00/ per return)

- For simple tax returns only

• For simple tax returns only
• Automatic tax return optimizations and overrides
• Claim employment income on T slips, and RL slips
• Claim tuition, scholarships, grants, and other student credits
• Claim RRSP contributions
• Claim COVID-19 benefits and repayments

Deluxe ($19.99/ per return)

- Maximize tax deductions and credits

• All Free Features
• Claim donations, and medical expenses
• Personalized tax saving suggestions
• Claim employment expenses
• Claim dependent transfers and credits

Premier ($34.99 / per return)

- If you are self-employed, an investor, a business owner or gig-worker

• All Free Features
• All Deluxe Features
• Claim rental property income expenses
• Claim capital gains and losses
• Claim foreign income
• Self-Employed Tax Toolkit

H&R Block is very close to other top online tax software programs in terms of cost. Their Premier pricing tier, which is ideal for small businesses or families with more complicated income tax returns, is slightly less expensive than other online tax software.

If you’d prefer to file your taxes in person, H&R Block still offers those options.

Key Features

• Affordable, flexible pricing options: H&R Block is not a one-size-fits-all online tax software. If your return is simple, you can use the free version. For more complicated cases, you can choose a more sophisticated version with a maximum price of $34.99.

• NETFILE Integration: NETFILE lets H&R Block file your income tax return on your behalf. When you NETFILE with H&R Block, you’ll get an Express Notice of Assessment immediately.

• Auto-Importing from CRA: If you’ve contributed to your RRSP or worked a job in the previous year, H&R Block can import these tax slips directly from the CRA, simplifying your tax process.

• SmartSearch: Add what you need to your income tax return, and avoid sifting through hundreds of available forms using the SmartSearch features. H&R Block will ask you several interview questions to narrow down this process.

• Maximum Refund Guarantee: H&R Block will reimburse you if you receive a higher refund or pay a smaller tax due with other tax software. Terms and conditions apply.

• Expert Review: Book a session with a tax expert for as little as $39.99 to ensure your return is 100% correct.

• Fast Refunds: Canadians who use H&R Block’s in-person service receive their refund instantly. Those who file online receive their income tax refund in as little as eight days.

• Last Will & Testament: If you don’t have a will, H&R Block has you covered. This optional add-on allows you to complete your plan online to help protect your family and assets.

• Trustworthy: H&R Block has 55 years of tax filing experience.

• Year-Round Operations: Some tax accountants are only available during tax season, but with H&R Block, you’ll have access to tax filing software and tax experts year-round.

Support Options

H&R Block started out as a solely brick-and-mortar tax preparation company, and that origin story is actually a huge strength in my opinion. Their tax software is just as streamlined and straightforward as many of their competitors, and it comes with all of the bells and whistles you’d expect from premium online tax software. But where they really excel is in their customer service.

Many online tax software programs have limited customer support, customer support only for premium users, or even no support for their customers. If you have a question, you’re left to comb through the endless help centre to find an answer. H&R Block, on the other hand, has excellent access to customer support; you can even hire an expert to review your taxes before you file. Here’s how to get in touch with H&R Block:

• Phone Support – All general client inquiries can be directed to their phone support line, 1-800-HRBLOCK, from Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm EST.
• Online Help Centre – For help using the H&R Block software, you can peruse the online help center.
• Chat support – If you have questions while filing online, the online chat feature helps you get answers quickly.
• In-Person – If you absolutely can’t find the answers to your questions, consider visiting a branch in person for advice or guidance.

Pros and Cons

There are some definite pros to using H&R Block. When I used the H&R Block software, I found the software itself to be on par with other leading online tax preparation software. It had everything you come to expect, like a streamlined interface, NETFILE certification, and return optimization.

The software excels with the customer support it offers and its affordability (even the premium versions are less expensive than competing brands). Getting in touch with H&R Block was far easier than with other software programs, and, when I wasn’t sure if my return was completed correctly, I was able to easily upgrade and have an expert review my return before I filed.

The downside? It doesn’t offer as many options for complex tax situations. If you’ve got rental property income or are self-employed, you may find H&R Block’s online tax software a bit limited at times.

How Does It Compare?

H&R Block is not alone in the online tax preparation marketplace. Here’s how it stands up to several competitors:

User Experience

When you sign into H&R Block or log in for the first time, you’ll be prompted to start your 2022 return or file returns for different years.

Click “Start Your 2022 Return” to begin. H&R Block clearly maps out the process in five easy steps on the next screen.

After entering some necessary information about your family, your residency, and your personal information, H&R Block will give you the option to choose which software package is right for you. You’ll make your selection and add your payment details. Once you complete this section, you’ll start entering your tax information.

The Verdict

I’m confident in putting H&R Block in the category of best online tax software in Canada. It has stand-out features that you’d expect from a premium tax product, including integration with the CRA to enable NETFILE and auto-population, return tracking from year to year, and expert help and customer support. These features make filing your income tax return a breeze, all for an affordable maximum price of $34.99.

H&R Block’s online tax filing software is ideal for most tax situations: from students to small businesses or income-property owners. The software is easy to use and transparent, and if you get stuck, their customer service availability is excellent. So if you are considering filing your taxes online for the first time, I wouldn’t hesitate to endorse H&R Block as an easy and safe option.

FAQs

How much does H&R block charge to do taxes in Canada?

H&R Block offers three different pricing tiers ranging in cost from $0 - $34.99 per return. You can add extra features like Expert Review for an additional fee.

Does H&R Block give you your refund immediately?

If you use H&R Block’s in-person filing service, you can immediately receive your refund, less the cost of paying your tax expert. If you file online, you’ll receive your refund from the CRA in eight business days.

Is H&R Block good for taxes?

Yes! H&R Block is one of Canada’s leading tax filing companies with 55 years of experience and is an excellent choice whether you are planning to file your taxes online or in-person.

What percentage does H&R Block take in Canada?

When you file your income tax return using the H&R Block software, you are only charged a flat fee up to a maximum of $34.99 depending on the tier of software that you use, and if you have direct deposit configured, you’ll receive your refund in eight days. If you file your taxes at an H&R Block branch in Canada, and opt for an instant refund (for an additional charge).