Taxes Tax Planning Should You Use H&R Block? By William Perez Updated on January 17, 2023 Reviewed by Ebony J. Howard Reviewed by Ebony J. Howard Ebony Howard is a certified public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert. She has been in the accounting, audit, and tax profession for more than 13 years, working with individuals and a variety of companies in the health care, banking, and accounting industries. learn about our financial review board Fact checked by Lars Peterson In This Article View All In This Article What Does H&R Block Offer? What Are My Alternative Options? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Photo: James Leynse / Contributor/Getty Images Key Takeaways H&R Block says that its tax preparers undergo rigorous training, and have an average of 10 years of filing experience and more than 100 hours of tax training.Most retail tax firms have similar offerings and features, so choosing one over another may be based on personal preference.Independent accountants vary in licensure and education.Tax-prep software may be a good option for the tax filer with a relatively straightforward tax situation who wants to avoid fees. When it comes to doing your taxes, you have many options to choose from. One of them is H&R Block, a retail tax firm similar to competitors such as Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service. If your tax situation is basic and uncomplicated, you will likely be fine with any tax service option, including filing with an H&R Block tax professional. However, if your taxes are complicated or you want to fully explore your options, it may be worthwhile to carefully compare H&R Block to competing tax services. What Does H&R Block Offer? H&R Block states that its tax professionals have access to its Tax Institute, which is staffed primarily by certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents, tax attorneys, and former IRS agents. This is a good thing—there's lots of experience there. However, this may raise a question for you: What's the expertise of the individual who will be preparing your tax return? When and why should this person reach out to the professionals who are manning the Tax Institute? H&R Block Professional Expertise While it doesn't rise to the level of what's required of Tax Institute staffers, H&R Block tax professionals do go through rigorous training. Tax professionals at H&R Block have an average of 10 years of filing experience and more than 100 hours of tax training. Therefore, these tax professionals only reach out to the Tax Institute when they have questions that their training has not prepared them to answer. For many filers with fairly simple returns, H&R Block's tax professionals will likely have the competence required to handle your taxes on their own. Note If you need your taxes done in a hurry, or you want the convenience of dropping by an office without an appointment, going to a retail tax office like H&R Block is an option. What Are My Alternative Options? H&R Block is one of the many options you have for how to file your taxes. Here are a few alternatives. Another Retail Tax Firm Other retail tax firms such as Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service offer many of the same perks and characteristics of H&R Block. One company may hold some benefits over another for you—an office may be closer to your home, or you may have a deal for a discounted service at a company, for example—but in general, the pros and cons of all retail tax firms are similar. An Independent Accountant or Tax Preparer The specific benefits and drawbacks of filing with an independent accountant will depend on what kind of accountant you choose. One major distinction is whether or not your independent accountant is a CPA. A CPA will likely complete 150 hours of coursework at an accredited institution before passing the Uniform CPA exam. That exam earns them a CPA certificate, but they must meet other educational and experiential requirements before they officially become a licensed CPA. A "regular" accountant has typically completed fewer hours of coursework and has not taken the extra steps required to become a CPA. These are the types of tax preparers you would likely encounter if you were to schedule an appointment at H&R Block. However, there could be differences when it comes to an independent accountant's prices or level of personalization. Note Above all, no matter where you find your tax accountant, you should expect them to be helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable. Tax Preparation Software If your tax situation is straightforward, and you don't have any particularly complicated quirks to your taxes, you have the option to cut out the tax accountant altogether. Many tax preparation software services streamline the bulk of the tax filing process. Most of these programs charge a fee—so you'll still have to pay something to file your taxes. However, the price may be much cheaper than filing at an in-person appointment with an accountant. The software programs guide you through the process, and some even have staff available to answer your questions if you run into a problem. The software will prompt you to enter simple information found on tax documents like a W-4, then it uses that information to calculate your tax return. Note Tax laws change periodically, and you should consult with a tax professional for the most up-to-date advice. The information contained in this article is not intended as tax advice, and it is not a substitute for tax advice. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is the information I share with a tax professional kept private? Most licensed tax preparation professionals are fiduciaries, which means they must act in the best interest of their clients. Also, reputable tax prep companies such as H&R Block will have safeguards in place to protect your information online and keep it private. How much does it cost to hire a professional tax service? Your fees will depend on the complexity of your tax situation and the level of help you receive. On the lower end, you may be able to hire a CPA or an independent preparer for a flat fee or their hourly rate to file a simple 1040. At H&R Block, it can start at $80 and work up from there. However, if you run a small business, plan to itemize deductions, or wish to add bonus features like audit support, you will likely have to pay more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. H&R Block. "The Tax Institute at H&R Block: About Us." H&R Block. "Decades of Deductions." American Institute of CPAs. "What Do I Have To Do To Become a CPA?" Intuit Turbotax. "Products and Pricing." H&R Block. "Privacy Notice." H&R Block. "File With a Tax Pro."