📈 Finance

How to Do Your Own Taxes with TurboTax or H&R Block

Walter Hennery·July 28, 2026·10 min read

The average American pays a tax preparer $200-$400 to file their return. But for most people with straightforward tax situations " — W-2 income, standard deduction, maybe some interest income " — filing your own taxes with software saves money and takes less than an hour. TurboTax and H&R Block are the two dominant platforms, each serving over 40 million filers. Here's how they compare and which one is right for you.

TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Pricing Comparison

Tier	TurboTax	H&R Block	Best For
Free / Basic	$0 (Simple returns)	$0 (Simple returns)	W-2 only, standard deduction
Deluxe	$69 + $49/state	$55 + $37/state	Homeowners, charitable donations, HSA
Premium / Premier	$109 + $49/state	$85 + $37/state	Freelancers, investors, rental income
Self-Employed	$129 + $49/state	$110 + $37/state	Business owners, 1099 contractors
Full Service (CPA review)	$199 + $49/state	$145 + $37/state	Complex returns, audit support

Free filing options: Both platforms offer free federal filing for simple returns (W-2 income only, standard deduction, no dependents). If your situation is simple, you may not need to pay anything. Also check IRS Free File " — you may qualify for completely free guided filing at irs.gov.

Features Comparison

Feature	TurboTax	H&R Block
AI-Assisted Filing	Yes (TurboTax AI)	Yes (Tax AI Assistant)
Photo Import (W-2)	Yes (phone camera)	Yes (phone camera)
Import Prior Year Data	Yes (auto-import)	Yes (auto-import)
Live CPA Review	Yes (additional cost)	Yes (additional cost)
In-Person Help	No (online only)	Yes (12,000+ offices)
Accuracy Guarantee	Yes (100% accuracy + audit support)	Yes (100% accuracy + audit support)
Audit Assistance	Free with paid tiers	Free with paid tiers
Mobile App	Yes (iOS, Android)	Yes (iOS, Android)
State Filing Cost	$49/state	$37/state
Refund Advance	Yes (up to $4,000)	Yes (up to $3,500)

Which Software Is Better for Your Situation?

W-2 Employees (Standard Deduction)

Both platforms handle this easily. The free tier from either is sufficient. TurboTax has a slight edge in ease of use for first-time filers due to its question-and-answer format.

Homeowners

Both platforms guide you through mortgage interest deduction, property taxes, and home office expenses. H&R Block's Deluxe tier is $14 cheaper than TurboTax's, making it the better value.

Freelancers and Self-Employed

This is where the platforms diverge most. Both offer Schedule C support, but TurboTax's self-employed tier includes more guidance on deductions, quarterly estimated taxes, and retirement account options. H&R Block is more affordable but slightly less hand-holding.

Investors

Both handle capital gains, dividends, and investment income well. TurboTax integrates with more brokerage accounts for automatic import. If you have complex investments (K-1s, stock options, RSUs), TurboTax Premier or H&R Block Premium are both adequate.

Rental Property Owners

Both handle Schedule E (rental income and expenses) and depreciation calculations. TurboTax has more educational content about real estate tax strategies.

⚠️ When to hire a CPA instead: Consider professional help if you have significant life changes (marriage, divorce, inheritance), own a business with employees, have international income, face IRS correspondence, or have complex investment situations. Software can't always handle edge cases correctly, and the cost of a mistake far exceeds the cost of professional help.

TurboTax Strengths

Best user experience: The cleanest, most intuitive interface of any tax software
AI assistance: TurboTax AI can answer questions and suggest deductions in natural language
Import capabilities: Imports W-2s and 1099s from more employers and brokerages than any competitor
Educational content: Extensive explanations of tax concepts help you learn while filing
Audit support: Dedicated audit assistance included with all paid tiers
Refund advance: Get up to $4,000 of your refund within 24 hours of filing

H&R Block Strengths

Lower prices: Generally $15-$30 cheaper than TurboTax at every tier
In-person support: Over 12,000 offices nationwide if you need face-to-face help
Free state filing with Deluxe: One state included with Deluxe (TurboTax charges $49)
Paper filing option: Can print and mail your return for free
Carryforward data: Imports prior year data from any tax software (TurboTax only imports from TurboTax)

IRS Free File: The Truly Free Option

If your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $79,000 or less in 2026, you may qualify for completely free tax filing through IRS Free File. Several providers participate, including both H&R Block and other software companies. Visit irs.gov/freefile to check your eligibility.

Income Level	Best Free Option
Under $79,000 AGI	IRS Free File (guided)
Over $79,000 AGI	IRS Free File Fillable Forms (unassisted)
Simple W-2 return	TurboTax Free or H&R Block Free

The bottom line: For most Americans, either TurboTax or H&R Block will handle your taxes accurately and efficiently. Choose TurboTax if you want the best user experience and don't mind paying a premium. Choose H&R Block if you want to save $15-$30 and appreciate the option of in-person help. If your income is under $79,000, check IRS Free File first " — you might be able to file for completely free. Don't pay a tax preparer $300+ for a return you can do yourself in under an hour.