H&R Block

Ok I’m writing this review because, I first was very hesitant to use H&R block services due to all the bad reviews they have on Unilocal.I also had bad experience with them in the past and wasn’t very impressed by their customer service skills. But I needed to fill out a form called 568 for LLC. I asked around and the usual fee for this type of service, is anywhere between $ 500 and $ 1000 (sometimes more). So I decided to try H&R, got into this particular one and a guy assisted me fill it out for both years. It took him only 10 min to do it and barely charged me. The staff was really nice! The name of the person who took care of me is Paul. So I’d say if you want to use H&R in the future, try this one on Santa Monica.

My girlfriend made an appointment at this place and the tax professional was nice enough. However, after two visits and over 2 hours worth of work the individual came up with a refund of $ 600.00 and handed us a bill for $ 175.00. «Sorry I couldn’t get you more» he said.
I took her home and loaded up an online service that I have been using for several years. After completeing the walkthrough we came up with the same number as the HR Block professional, but it explained why, which he could not. Her hourly rate went up and with her overtime she was required to pay back soem of the ACA credits (about $ 500 worth). He also forgot to input her expenses for the American College Credit which was $ 2000.00.
After all was said and done, we where able to get the college credit, her employer reimbursed her for the ACA penalty and she got her state taxes filed as well. $ 3000.00 refunded vs $ 600.00 through H&R and all for only $ 19.99 vs H&R fee of $ 175.00
Im not going to mention the service we used as I’m not here to plug any particular product, just to say that when it comes to taxes, if you are considering H&R you are better off doing them yourself.

So I’ve been going to H&R Block on and off for several years now. This year was the last.
I live near this location so I walked. I was on my way and the receptionist called to remind me. I guess they get a point for courtesy.
I was actually early and they offered me coffee. Then I sat for a minute and the receptionist told me the person I’d been scheduled with was still with a client. This is understandable, but a bit frustrating. So they pass me on to the next available person, which would’ve have been cool if she’d known what she was doing.
I guess I should understand the nature of H&R Block. They quickly train people to learn tax prep right before tax season. However, hopefully you should LEARN what you’re doing if that’s what they’ve trained you to do. My tax preparer «K» did not.
K seemed awkward and after telling her I had to file for two years she looked over my stuff. She quickly let me know it was going to be around $ 350 for the preparation. For EACH year. So I was obviously flabbergasted, thinking regular prep was around 50 or 75 bucks. Oh no, because I had additional K1 business forms she had to open new windows in her computer and that cost more. I asked her why and she basically just told me…“because.“
So I bit the bullet and filed one return only.
I sat and watched as she carefully read each prompt like she was doing this for the first time. I knew I was in for a real treat when she asked me if I was disabled or blind. The disabled part is understandable as I could have some non-​visible impairment, but blind? I WALKED with you back to your desk. I didn’t have a cane and dark glasses OR a seeing-​eye dog. Ugh.
So the filing continues and there were just tons of questions I had that she didn’t answer properly or just sort of glossed over. I just needed to get the filing done so I just shrugged and dealt with it. I paid for the «Peace of Mind» for an extra $ 35 because who knows how badly she screwed up my filing.
Since then H&R Block sent me an email asking about their services. I attempted to start filling it out and then realized they wanted me to create an account to share my feelings. That’s when I decided to Unilocal instead. Here’s the aborted review I was going to send to H&R Block:
«Overpriced tax preparation by an inexperienced tax preparer.
I guess I have lucked out in the past with H&R Block but after this year I’ll be using Turbo Tax. If I want to spend $ 400 having my taxes done I will spend it on a CPA who is not reading prompts and genuinely understands what they are doing.
And now I have to log in and create an account to send my feedback?!
I’m going to Unilocal instead.»
***
Eff H&R Block. It’s the McDonald’s of tax preparation.