Their tax tool recommended the Premium option. At the end of the return, I noticed I had not used any of the forms that required Premium. Tried to downgrade to Deluxe and save $20 and they would only do that if they deleted all the information. I had spent several hours entering. Feels shady to me. (Transcript at bottom of the post) Learn from my mistake. Don't trust H&R Block tool. Choose the cheapest option and then go up. Or consider a vendor besides H&R Block. Kenny (3/29/2022, 6:55:29 PM): Your told me I should select premium. But I think it was wrong. Kenny (3/29/2022, 6:55:41 PM): I do not see any forms used that are not covered in deluxe. Jutta S (3/29/2022, 6:56:29 PM): what program are you wanting? Kenny (3/29/2022, 6:57:01 PM): It looks like Deluxe has all the forms I need Jutta S (3/29/2022, 6:57:42 PM): I will be more than happy to downgrade your account. Jutta S (3/29/2022, 6:57:53 PM): Once I downgrade your account, all previous entries made in the interview will be deleted, and you'll need to re-enter everything. You also won't be able to import your prior-year information. Do you still want to downgrade? Kenny (3/29/2022, 6:58:10 PM): That is just wrong. Kenny (3/29/2022, 6:58:21 PM): I will take my business elsewhere. Thanks Jutta S (3/29/2022, 6:58:23 PM): what is wrong Kenny (3/29/2022, 6:58:42 PM): You can downgrage, but you have to re-enter everything. Jutta S (3/29/2022, 6:58:58 PM): I apologize I was not able to assist you.----yes Jutta S (3/29/2022, 6:59:09 PM): you just have to enter manuallly Jutta S (3/29/2022, 6:59:35 PM): how do you want me to proceed? Kenny (3/29/2022, 7:00:01 PM): I think I have what I need. A good transcript to post on social media. Kenny (3/29/2022, 7:00:09 PM): Feel free to leave it like it is. Jutta S (3/29/2022, 7:00:23 PM): thank you for letting me assist you
TurboTax is even worse...they keep lobbying the government for something that should be completely free. They're a relic of the past but don't want to take the L. FTC sues TurboTax owner Intuit for advertising tax software as ‘free’ https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/29/ftc...uit-for-advertising-tax-software-as-free.html
I think I've used H&R Block's tax software (not the online version) for over a decade. Eh. It does what I need it to, but then my taxes aren't really complex. I initially had a question about getting the Deluxe vs. Premium or whatever back in the day, but Deluxe has always been enough. But the descriptions can be confusing. Speaking of which... I need to start on my taxes. lol.
The Tax return system tells you all you need to know about how this country views its citizens. As customers. Nothing more. Nothing less.
It asked generically if I had investments. Which I have some ETFs and a couple of stocks. Which then recommended premium. However; at the end none of the investments I had required forms only available in Premium.
Try Free Tax USA...like was said. They include a lot of the tax forms that other packages make you upgrade and pay for...for free. In fact, you should be able to verify if they have the tax forms you need before you start. It was like the only free one I found that had the forms for free. Tax Act Online and all the other ones want to charge you to upgrade to the version that includes the forms. When I was researching all these supposed free packages starting from the irs.gov recommendations, I had to yell out "keep your tax software out of my f*cking mouth!" several times when I realized they wanted to charge me to use a stupid additional tax form. That said...I hope Free Tax USA continues to remain free. Otherwise, change your name.
I haven't had to upgrade to any forms with freetaxusa. It's clean. simple and it's my fourth year with them. I don't have a house/investment property but no issue handling regular income + side hustle business + stock/dividends.
This is the exact reason I mentioned the "descriptions can be confusing". Based upon stock ownership, it was confusing whether I needed Deluxe or Premium in the past, but they seem to have clarified it a bit better nowadays (I think -- at least on the website). It only costs around $10 or so for the Deluxe edition (software version) each year I get it, so it's not that big a deal for me - just don't want to pay for crap I don't need.
