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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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H&R Block Tax Prep

60
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

H&R Block Tax Prep is a decent option for simple tax filings, often available for free, but users frequently encounter forced upgrades and significant app functionality issues that diminish its value.

Free to download seen up to $750 4.8★ lifetime (115,686) since 2012

H&R Block Tax Prep is generally easy to use for straightforward tax situations, with many users appreciating its guided process and ability to save money compared to in-person preparers R7R14R38R77. However, numerous complaints highlight forced upgrades, hidden fees, and significant app bugs that can make the experience frustrating and costly R1R11R20R26. While some find it a good alternative to TurboTax, others switch away due to these issues R1.

Free vs paid

The app is advertised as allowing free filing, particularly for simple returns R9R48R54. However, many users report being forced into paid 'deluxe' options or other upgrades for common situations like having an HSA on a W2, or for state filing which was previously free R1R11R53. Accessing prior year tax returns also often requires a payment, sometimes $10 per year R61R68R75. Paid tiers offer features like importing data from previous years R48 or professional help, but some users find the 'pro help' expensive or unhelpful R9R22.

Value complaints

  • The app forces users into paid 'deluxe' options for common tax situations like having an HSA on a W2, even for simple returns, and then charges for state filing.R1R11R53
  • Users report numerous hidden fees, add-ons, and deceptive practices where the app tries to trick them into paying for services that were advertised as free or unnecessary.R20R26R52R54
  • Customer support, including AI chat and phone lines, is often unhelpful or inaccessible without paying for an upgrade, leaving users stuck with app issues.R1R22R66R80
  • Accessing previous year's tax returns often requires a payment, with some users citing a $10 fee per year.R61R68R75
  • The app may upgrade packages without user knowledge and then demand payment to file, or prevent filing if users opt out of add-on services.R83R85R93

Where it delivers

  • Many users find the app easy to use, simple, and well-organized, guiding them step-by-step through the tax filing process.R7R14R42R46
  • The app helps users save money compared to hiring an accountant or in-person tax preparers.R38R77R108
  • It offers free filing for simple returns if users are careful to avoid paid services.R9R48R54
  • The app is considered accurate, with one user comparing it to an in-person HR Block representative and getting the same numbers.R36R71R102R105
  • Features like keeping things secure online year-to-year, the AI tool for forms, and automatic W-2 checks are appreciated.R6R35R91R97
Worth paying if

It might be worth paying if you have a simple retirement situation and find the $34 import data feature valuable for accuracy and ease R48, or if you appreciate the deluxe package for importing information and simplifying the process, as some users find it worth the cost .

Skip / stay free if

Skip paying if you have an HSA on your W2, as it may force you into a paid deluxe option and charge for state filing R11. You should also skip paying if you expect live support or a functional AI assistant, as many reviews indicate these are unhelpful or nonexistent without an upgrade R1R66R80. Furthermore, avoid paying if you are wary of deceptive practices, hidden fees, or being locked into upgrades that clear your data R20R26.

Evidence note: The reviews show a strong dichotomy, with many 5-star ratings praising ease of use, but a significant number of 1-star ratings detailing severe issues with forced payments and app functionality. The lifetime rating of 4.76 is high, but recent reviews, particularly the 1-star ones, are heavily skewed towards monetization complaints and technical problems.

Frequently asked

Is H&R Block Tax Prep truly free?
H&R Block Tax Prep is advertised as free for filing, and some users successfully file for free if they are careful to avoid paid services R9R48R54. However, many users report being forced to pay for 'deluxe' options or state filing for common situations like having an HSA on a W2, even for simple returns R1R11R53.
Does the H&R Block app have good customer support?
Customer support for the H&R Block app is frequently criticized, with users reporting that the AI chat assistant is unhelpful and useless, and phone support often hangs up or requires an upgrade to speak with a human agent R1R22R66R80.
Can I access my previous year's tax returns through the H&R Block app?
While the app keeps things secure and online from year to year, many users report that accessing previous year's tax returns requires a payment, sometimes $10 per year R6R61R68R75.
Are there technical issues with the H&R Block app?
Yes, many users report significant technical issues with the H&R Block app, including problems with forms not loading, sessions expiring and losing work, difficulty navigating, freezing, not saving data, and errors with specific deductions or calculations R2R3R4R6.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] 1/5 · US TRASH - No live support & NOW CHARGES: Always files with H&R Block but now it is forcing the deluxe option automatically without any way of changing . AI chat assistant is unhelpful and totally useless . The automated options when you call are ALSO useless ,’keeps telling you they don’t understand and when you get through it tells you the hours, which is still operational at the time of the call b
  2. [R11] 1/5 · US If HSA you HAVE to get Deluxe and pay for State filing: I now have to buy the deluxe version just because I have HSA on my W2. And since I didn’t start with the Deluxe, I now have to pay for State filing! I am taking the standard deduction. No other special situations apply. They should allow you to buy Deluxe with free state filing while in the app!!! What a rip off! Turbo Tax next year!
  3. [R53] 4/5 · US No free state?: Used this app for 2023 and 2024 and the State filing was free. For some reason they don’t include State free anymore so off to Turbo Tax I go.
  4. [R20] 1/5 · US Scam: Tons of add ons for additional money. Some does not even allow you to progress without confirming the additional money. This company is a joke.
  5. [R26] 1/5 · US Scam: This app constantly asks for more money, begs you to upgrade, then if you downgrade it removes all the things you’ve logged since it convinced you to upgrade. Every year it’s more of the same desperation and greed.
  6. [R52] 1/5 · US Hidden fees: They’re everywhere
  7. [R54] 3/5 · US They try to trick you but if you are careful, it is FREE: I had many ads for paid services populate while filing. You have to be careful and read before checking boxes and clicking next, they try to trick you but if you are careful, it will be free. I subtracted one star for sneaky antics and another star for terrible auto-fill… I would have been better off manually entering all data. They get
  8. [R22] 2/5 · US Not Happy: I needed to file for my son who has been using H&R Block for years! I needed help and talked texted with an agent. Guess it was too complicated for him and I literally didn’t receive any help! I’ll go to TurboTax! Sad!!
  9. [R66] 1/5 · US Bad: Bad AI I should have the option to talk to a human agent without paying when the app was the problem the AI couldn’t help me kept telling my to upgrade to get help now that’s low H&R Block
  10. [R80] 1/5 · US Needs Fixed: When you make your decision, make sure it’s the correct one. I needed assistance on a certain and needed to talk to a rep for help. All that the Ai assistant said every single time it responded was “Sorry that is happening to you” PLZ. Shut this app down. Don’t recommend. I cried twice trying to file through them. TurboTax got me taken care of.
  11. [R61] 1/5 · US Greedy: Why must you charge me for everything? I can’t file for free because I have an HSA? I can’t even view my previous tax returns unless I pay $10 for each year? I’ve used HR Block to file my taxes every year since I have started working, but that ends now. I’ll happily use TurboTax who at least lets me file for free.
  12. [R68] 5/5 · US Don’t use: Crazy that you have to buy your last year’s tax return
  13. [R75] 1/5 · US Pay to view last years return: So I used this app last year and it was not as good as turbo tax. I need my 1040 for using turbo tax this year and well they need me to pay to view last years return… wtf.
  14. [R83] 1/5 · US They are liars: In the Advertisements and online it’s says file for free.. Without the help of any tax expert or upgrading your package! The IRS asked me to update a form on my taxes and H&R BLOCK upgraded my packages without my knowledge and then proceeded to ask for $72.00 in order to file my taxes!! THEY ARE RIPPIMG PEOPLE OFF
  15. [R85] 1/5 · US No add-on services: App started having issues after I opted out of add-on services. And it doesn't let me pay with my return, it's asking me to pay $77 immediately. TurboTax it is.
  16. [R93] 1/5 · US Tried to scam me: Company forced me into upgrading. When I tried to back out, it cleared out all my information and had me start fresh. I selected the free option and yet I was charged over $100.
  17. [R7] 5/5 · US Simple: Easy to use and very easy to understand
  18. [R14] 5/5 · US Fast, Easy, and Stress-Free Tax Filing Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ H&R Block Tax Prep made filing my taxes much easier than I expected. The app was simple to use, well organized, and guided me step by step through the entire process. I appreciated how clear the instructions were and how it helped me feel confident that everything was done correctly. It saved me time, reduced stress, and made tax season feel
  19. [R42] 5/5 · US User friendly: Easy to use & has helpful advice
  20. [R46] 5/5 · US Tax Preparation.: When it’s tax time, I’m stumped. Numbers, exceptions, all the that jargon gets more confused. But I use H & R Block to avoid all that confusion. Simple, fast and easy to complete.
  21. [R38] 5/5 · US Awesome way to file taxes: So easy to use and saved me between $900 - $1200 in accountant fees. Thank you
  22. [R77] 5/5 · US I love doing it myself: This is a super easy app. I love it and make it so easy even for those without experience. I highly recommend doing it yourself. Saves the most money than going in the store.
  23. [R108] 5/5 · US self taxes.: H&R BlOCK HAS AlWAYS BEEN THE TAX REFUND COMPANY i USE & THESE lAST COUPlE YEARS NOW i'VE USED THEiR SElF OPTiON AND iT'S BEEN JUST AS GREAT AS THEiR iN PERSON TAXES ARE.. ACTUAllY iT'S EVEN BETTER BECAUSE THEiR iS NO TAX PREPARER TO GiVE A HUGE CHUNK OF YOUR RETURN TOO!
  24. [R9] 5/5 · US 2025 Tax Filing: This app is awesome!! You can actually file for free or choose to get pro help and pay a low amount for help. Best tax filing app!! Makes taxes so much easier!!
  25. [R48] 3/5 · US Free Filing and Easy Filing: Very easy to use online. Only took an hour or so for my simple retirement situation. I ponyed up the $34 to import data from last year to make it easier and hopefully more accurate. Thanks H&R!
  26. [R36] 5/5 · US HR Tax: Easy to use and accurate. Love Emile
  27. [R71] 5/5 · US Always the best: I’ve been using H&R Block for years and it’s always easy and accurate
  28. [R102] 5/5 · US Comprehensive: I’m really happy with this app and I’ve used it for the past two years all by myself. I tested it to see if it gave the same numbers as an HR block representative that works on site. After having them run all of the numbers I came up with the same number they had on the app cent for cent. Now I just use it on my own.
  29. [R105] 5/5 · US Always easy and accurate: If it isn’t H&R Block, don’t use it. They are very user friendly, and accurate when it comes to your taxes!!!
  30. [R6] 3/5 · US Good to Decent: I like the option to keep things secure and online from year to year. The AI tool and search function for forms is great. The issue I have is this year, for the first time, I was submitting on the last day. Their servers must have been overloaded and it pre enter me from filing my taxes on time. I kept getting errors and declined transactions through the website and app. They need
  31. [R35] 5/5 · US 2025 Taxes: Easy to do and they check your W-2s for you on tips and overtime
  32. [R91] 5/5 · US Best Tax App out there!: Instantly uploads your information, finds you deductions and stores your returns in your profile. A+
  33. [R97] 5/5 · US Cool App!: Taxes all in one place. Thank you!
  34. [R2] 2/5 · US Wicked Good.....maybe!: Easier to read than my 1099 Forms. The 1099-R form was available after contacting help by phone. But now am humg up on the Form SSA-1099, as it is not opening or loading...not able to work any further and almost complete! Guess another morning call is in order, except a prior commitment will likely delay that contact by one day. This year must be my simplest filing ever (ye
  35. [R3] 4/5 · US Navigation: My only quibble so far is that when you log out and then return to the app another day, the choice to pick up where I left off doesn’t take me to where I left off. It’s difficult to pick up at the place you stopped working the day before
  36. [R4] 1/5 · US The app totally tripped up…: …at the composite 1099 stage. So I feel like this was a waste of time. Going to try something else.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store