Review by Andrea Polk

This is the second year that I’ve purchased H&R Block Premium + State Tax prep software. I’d been wanting to try it for years, but my husband always did our taxes (some exercise in self-flagellation that I’ve never understood…) prior to that and despite the struggle putting pen to paper, he was reluctant to e-file until he made a mistake on our 2013 taxes. Not wanting to appear overly eager to dive in with the tech-rescue I suggested tax prep software and letting me have a go at it. He mulled it over and said OK, so I then started reading reviews; deciding to go with H&R based upon the positives I’d read.

I had not completed my own taxes for over 25 years, so I was a tad intimidated by the prospect of doing them at all. Fortunately my experience with last year’s H&R software was very positive, and left me feeling empowered, not fearful that I’d done it incorrectly.

Ultimately there were no errors and the filing was quickly accepted by the feds with an extremely fast e-file to refund payment. (My husband was THRILLED with that part of it!) That experience led me to purchase the 2015 software for tax preparations this year.

Right now my daughter is applying to colleges and we’ll be filling out the FAFSA (Federal Financial Aid form) and the CSS Profile (Financial Aid form for private colleges) on January 1st. While I don’t expect to have all the info I need to complete my taxes on that day, if I do I can use this software to easily complete it and accurately fill out these forms. If I don’t have the info it’s recommended to estimate earnings and taxes on the forms, but then after e-filing taxes, that info can quickly be uploaded to replace estimates. Yet another reason that e-filing is the way to go.

As for using this software in general, having all the proper information (W-2’s etc…) was really important, as was having a list of deductions (we did itemized deductions due to a large number of medical bills). I needed the Premium version as I’m an independent contractor (freelance writer), and this version addresses self-employment (Schedule C reported income).

I like how this software ‘interviews’ you. It asks you questions and if you don’t know the answer it offers help as to where to locate the information and tries to clarify information as needed. H&R also offers help to users via unlimited online chat with tax experts. You can work on part of your return and then save it to come back to it. It’s a process that could take months or a few hours depending upon how complicated your return is and whether or not you have all the required information.

I purchased the ‘Frustration Free’ option and it came in a plain, white cardboard envelope inside an Amazon box with other items. I nearly threw it out thinking it was packing material! The CD and installation instructions with an Activation code are what you get. Installation on my Windows 7 PC was super easy, and last year’s tax info (W2s, 1099s and last years return) was immediately imported by this year’s software.

According to the software the next update will be January 7th. Updates are fairly frequent, but the software offers to check for one each time you open it so you’re never out of date. You also are asked what state return you wish to file, and this too is updated as needed.

In paying for this software you have up to 5 Federal returns for free. The State filing costs an additional $19.95 per return. You can input your credit card info for that transaction securely through the software.

While a tad daunting at first (because I didn’t want to mess anything up…) this software does a great job at guiding the user to a successful conclusion. It explains things in effective detail so the user feels informed versus overwhelmed. The logical progression of needed information in the software makes it easier for users who are unfamiliar with doing their own taxes to gather the needed information and have it at their fingertips to add to the software. Filing both the federal and state returns is done easily, and error checking (accuracy review) is done multiple times prior to filing to ensure you have accurately filled out the forms and maximized your deductions.

H&R Block has produced a useful bit of software that techs and non-techs alike can effectively use to complete their taxes. It’s Q&A style in gathering information is easy to follow and the results are better than expected. It’s a product that produced accurate, fast results for us last year, and it’s the product I knew I wanted to buy this year too because of my prior year’s experience.

If you’re doing your own taxes, I highly recommend it.

———————————-nnUPDATE: 2/18/16nnFinished my taxes (Federal and State) with this software to provide accurate FAFSA information for a college bound student. The software submitted my e-file and I had the Federal portion accepted within minutes of submission, and the State portion accepted the next day.

Since I had to pay federal taxes this year I deferred payment by direct removal from my checking account (something you can direct the software to do as late as 4/18/16) instead of paying a fee to pay by credit card.

Taxes are not fun, but this software definitely makes them easier to submit and understand.

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