Friday, August 5, 2011

H&R Block Complaints


Consumer Complaints & Reviews

After it was said and done, they got me for an extra 99 dollars. Here's how. "We took a second look and you qualify for a credit for another 400 dollars. It's 99 dollars" I know I'm getting ** but whatever, it's 301 dollar more. So I go pick up the envelope... they won't even file it for me... and give them 99 dollars. How long will this take?
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They said 15 business days... i waited like 30 and finally looked it up online, it's 8-12 weeks. Also, there is obvious incentive to overlook something so you take a second look and skim some poor person with an already low-income out of nearly 1/4 of their tax return. ** them I'm getting turbo tax next year, those cheats.
Baboon of Indianapolis, IN

Helpful?
yes
no
5/26/11
They mislaid my Peace of Mind claim for $500. When I went back to check on it, they said it was past the 60 days for filing, and therefore I was not able to get it. They are a rip off.
When I spoke to the Office Manager, she was extremely belligerent about the matter. When I asked to speak to another person she said "I'm the Office Manager!" In my work, had I spoken to a customer they way they spoke to me, I would be fired on the spot.
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Then I found out that the $500 a year I'd been paying them is WAY over priced. I have a simple return.
Betsy of Pottstown, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
5/3/11
On April 15, 2011 at approximately 9:30 AM I was j assaulted by an H&R Block manager named Gary. I caught them cheating on their fees (double billing) and filed a complaint. The manager lowered the fee from $800 to $660, still almost $200 more than I paid last year.
When I went to get my paperwork - the manager took me in the back and shoved a sheet in front of me and said, "SIGN HERE." I said "NO, I want to look at the papers first. $660 is too much." He thought I was trying to steal his paperwork - so he (6 ft., heavyset) grabbed me from behind and squeezed me as hard as he could and pushed me into a corner and squeezed until I dropped the papers. I was screaming HELP! HELP! but no one came to help.
When he finally got the paperwork, the manager yelled, "Call the police! This is attempted theft!" I too called the police to report an assault. When the police came, all the H&R Block employees lied and said that nothing had happened, that I was very problematic and had already been. (Yes, I was because I had filed a complaint.) The police believed them. I was alone. I told the police that I'm a 60 year old university professor and had no motive to steal papers, I just wanted my W2, 1099s, etc. back.
The customers sitting up front heard me screaming but did nothing and the police refused to interview them.
I did get my paperwork back and the police told me to get out. It was a civil case, they said. There were no cameras, so I have no assault case.
When the police left, one of the women who worked there threatened me, saying, "We know where you live and your telephone number."
I was assaulted by an employee or maybe franchise owner and I was humiliated by the New York City police. I would like for the press to pick up this story.
Barbara of New York, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
4/16/11
My wife and I obtained the emerald card line of credit loan from hrblock bank in 12-4-10 for 1000.00 each. They automatically charged 45.00 for their annual fee and we had the option to have january's payment automatically withdrawn by hrblock bank in the amout of 55.00. This left us with a loan amount of 900.00 each. We are both now recieving bills in the mail requesting the same 55.00 each be paid along with their interest. I inquired many times about how they felt I should pay the january payment twice and they can't seem to explain it, their only response is that we still owe the 55.00 that they already took for the january payment. I asked them if this was a loophole for the bank to steal from the consumer and I was told that they didn't feel that way.
jeffery of michigan city, IN

Helpful?
yes
no
3/29/11
This is a simple letter complaining about H&R Blcok crazy fees, I just came back from one of their offices doing my taxes and I paid $500 to file my taxes, I have never paid such a crazy amount of money, they are ripping off to their customers, This is my first and last time i file taxes with them and i will make sure nobody from my family or friends do taxes in these offices, i am going to find out how i can get my money back because 45 minutes of their time is not worth it $500 of my pocket.....
Juan of Roselle Park, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
3/13/11
I filed my 2007 taxes with H&R Block 4/12/2008. I was anticipating a refund and was sold on their Rapid Refund option. After 2-3 weeks, I called the IRS and was told that because I had not filed my 2004 tax return, they were holding onto my refund in case I owe for 2004. I found out on November 4th, 2010 from the IRS that they did process my refund for 2007 and deposited $2298.00 plus $419.50 on October 17,2008. I dug out my copies of my return and called H&R Block on Friday, November 5, 2010. I was informed that they had record of the $2298.00 (but conveniently not the $419.50) and that they had sent out a pre-paid credit card that was never activated. I was told that they would request a new card, I provided my current address, was told it would be sent overnight via FedEx and it would be here NO LATER than Wednesday, 11-10-10. I was also told that I could call Monday for a tracking number.
I called on Wednesday, asked for a tracking number and was told they did not have one and are never given one, but that the card was made on 11-8-10 and I would have it NO LATER than Friday, 11-12-10. She also told me that they do not overnight, that is why it would take a little longer. Today, I called and was told that the card was not made and was not on the way.
They would request another card, sorry ma'am! I requested to speak with a supervisor. After a very long hold, the supervisor told me in fact, there was not a card made or on the way. She told me they do not overnight through Fed Ex, and then later in the same conversation told me that they did in fact overnight. But, no one was available to produce the card until Monday, and I should anticipate receipt next Tuesday or Wednesday.
I had to make arrangements to leave work early this past Wednesday and again today to receive this card that was never on the way. At this time, they have had my $2298.00 (plus $419.50 which they claim they never received, although the IRS confirmed that both amounts were deposited into the same account the same day)for over 2 years. I have been unemployed for the past 6 months and need that money desperately to pay my past due rent. I received my last unemployment check 2 weeks ago and recently started a new 100% commission job that I am still training for.
I told Jessa(supervisor) today that I needed the money in my checking account today, she told me that was not possible, they would have to get me the pre-paid card. When I asked for her supervisor, I was denied, told she was the top, there was not anyone else above her and I was just out of luck, sorry ma'am, there is nothing I can do.
I said that I wanted to be refunded the interest earned for the past 2+ years, she said she could request it, but they were not going to pay it. From what I have read, this is common, how can they be allowed to continue to steal from people?
Lisa of Issaquah, WA

Helpful?
yes
no
11/13/10
They are the worse, charged me for Rapid Refund that I did not receive, and they charged some one else debt to my account. I ended up getting a check 3 weeks later hundreds of dollars short, i had to constantly call the headquaters for them to refund the money. It's crazy because H and R block is always talking about how experienced they are, and the staff have no clue, they take a training on how to "input your information into the system". Does that make them experts?
Miss of newark, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
9/10/10
Entry error was made by tax preparer on 2008 tax return. Total cost of error is $44,807. Not sure where or how to come up with $44K to cover their error. I am ashamed that I trusted someone else to do my tax return. Never again!
Richard of Petaluma, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
8/10/10
We have used H R Block as our TAX ADVISORS for the past seven years. I understood the fact that we never received much of a return, but that was better than an audit. This year there was a complete meltdown. First we used a new TAX ADVISOR for our 2010 Taxes this year. People I have never seen such ineptitude,indecision, and general disregard for our best interest. To make matters worse the price of Tax preparation went from 240.00 to over 500.00, what a scam. No wonder their CEO quit I would not want to associate my name with H R Block in any form. The main problem is their defensive attitude when asking questions about your Return.

I had a question about our State Return and set a second appointment to speak to my so called TAX ADVISOR who promptly informed he had been preparing Tax Returns for over 20 years,and my return was correct,so I wrote my check and sent it to the COMPTROLLER of MARYLAND and forgot about it. To my surprise I received another bill from MARYLAND stating we owed another 773.90 in unpaid taxes, and accessed a 25.07 interest penalty,and a 77.39 late fee. If I had known we owed additional TAXES I would have paid them. H R BLOCK charged us more than 500.00 to prepare a MARRIED FILING JOINTLY return only to screw it up. My confidence in their ability has been shattered.I will never use their services again.
Warren of Montgomery Village , MD

Helpful?
yes
no
7/9/10
Several years ago I received information about a Lawsuit against H&R Block regarding overcharging for tax e-filings and refund loans. I filled out the necessary information to become a member of the class action suit. Over the years I forgot about this matter and no longer have original papers. Anyway I recently found out that the suit was settled and quite frankly I never received any notification or one dime. I now question whether my settlement, no matter how small, was simply scooped up and kept by one of the law firms handling this action. I believe it was a firm in PA. Have members of the H&R Block Lawsuit all been paid? How is the settlement being (or has been) distributed? Boy, it seems like you can get screwed by the H&R Block and the plethora of attorneys proporting to represent our interests as a class.

May 11, 2005
"H&R Block will pay $360 million to settle a class action lawsuit over its tax-refund loans, under the terms of a proposed settlement. The company says the settlement gives it a green light to continue the practice in the future."
Alicia of Philadelphia, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
6/15/10
$280 dollars to file my tax return. Feb 10 2010 filed ,Irs lost my taxes so we were told to file again 8 weeks went by and finally they recieved them, next thing you know we get a letter saying that the proper paperwork was not sent in for our first time home buyers credit. Now we have to wait anouther 6 to 8 weeks to recieve our return. H&R block sent two returns in and both were wrong. No one knew what to send in for this home buyers credit. Meanwhile i had to file chapter 13 due to bills. I cant believe that its going to take 6 months to get our return and of course H&R block charges that much,,however we have not yet paid H&R for doing our taxes and not sure we will after all this. 5-12-2010
shayn of cottage grove, OR

Helpful?
yes
no
5/12/10
On a really large poster they display their fees. A corporate account was listed as 349.00. First and last time we will use H&R Block. They charged us $690.00 for completing our taxes. $49.00 for completing our sons. and $11.00 for our daughters whom didn't make enough to pay federal taxes. Beware - the manager was so rude and said these were there standard charges. I believe that if you are going to list a poster with low amounts of 39.00 - 349.00 you should give a quote if the final cost is $750.00. I took a picture of the poster with the fees. Very misleading...an expensive lesson to learn. Beware!
Phyllis of Pittsburgh, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
5/9/10
I was charged the next day charge for receiving my refund in two weeks. I was never reimbursed, and this is not the first year it happened. I was told that it may not come but I will still be charged if it was put thru by H&R Block.
Darlene of Montclair, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
4/26/10
H&R BlOCK prepared my tax return. I was told I owed zero. Then he asked another preparer a question and that person said he'd done it wrong. I had to leave and come back the next day. In the end I owed. But they had depreciated the land as well as the house from real estate I sold. I told him I didn't think you could do that but he disagreed. I was right. The preparer did not have the training or skills to do a return involving real estate. I said I would return later to pick it up and did not. They wanted $419.00 to prepare it. I went to an enrolled agent, paid much less and got it done for $130.00. I have since heard similar stories from friends. H&R BLOCK sent me a bill which I am not about to pay. But I have to go through an involved process. I need to fill out a form with all the information, mail it in, allow them to investigate the situation with the location I used, and then they will get back to me to let me know what they are going to do. Never again!
Jim of Omaha, NE

Helpful?
yes
no
4/20/10
My father who is 82+ yrs of age has gone to H&R Block for the last 3-4 years to get his taxes done. He is recovering from a stroke which happened @ 1 month ago. I, his oldest daughter, did his taxes this year and decided to look at his past file copies from H&R for guidance. I found that they charged him $200 dollars last year for doing his 2008 taxes for an income of @ $6,000 (my father had a part-time job as a school crossing guard to supplement his annual @$20K SS check) with a $127 refund! When I asked my father about this he said "yes, they're expensive" and then told me that what they charge!
When I went through his paperwork I found that they had sent my father a letter with a "standing" appointment for this year's taxes. They have been ripping him off for the last 4 years. Yes, my father when there willingly; however, they should have turned him away or referred him to the local Office on Aging. Instead, they treated him like a pigeon! Smiling at him while taking his money! I contact the Office on Aging of Somerset County who recommended that I contact you. Help! Please - these people should be put on notice about taking advantage of persons like my father, who really has nothing of value. He's a widower and will talk to anyone and doesn't realize/or won't accept that it makes him an easy mark! Please contact me with any questions you may have. Thank you!
Brunhilda of Shavertown, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
4/16/10
I went in for my taxes to be prepared on Monday April 13th, 2010 at 7pm. My complaint is this: the fee I was charged was astronomical. I paid $391 which was never explained to me. I felt that I was mislead because I was asked a series of questions and then out came this huge bill. I did not itemize anything nor was my situation complicated to warrant these outrageous fees. When I inquired on why this is so outrageous I was told by the prepared that he does not determine how much to charge. I believe that H and R Block is luring in customers and ripping them off by commanding these huge fee's after the fact. Just as they are capable of asking you a series of predetermining questions in the beginning of the appointment, they are capable of prescreening and offering the consumer a rough estimate in the beginning of what fees to expect. I was never offered an opportunity to decline to continue the appointment.
I was offered to have the taxes sent and the fee's subtracted when I received the refund...and of course for an additional fee. This is one big money making scam after the next. I called the regional office to file a complaint. I received a call back from a rep by the name of Nira. She proceeded to tell me that I should not have continued with the appointment. My response was that I was unaware that I could do that and no one told me it was an option. She said "Unfortunately, the office would not tell you that"!!!!! I am outraged that the staff withheld this valuable information from me which was my right as a consumer to know! What outrages me more is the fact that I can not afford to spend money in this manner. My taxes reflect a yearly income of about $22,000. I am an unemployed single mother and I feel as if I was preyed upon. I was able to find additional grievances online similar to mine and h and R Block should be penalized for its unlawful and immoral practices. please consider this information and help me obtain justice. Thank you in advance.
Sarah of Brooklyn, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
4/16/10
I have had my taxes done by H & R Block for 50 years. Each year the cost increases are astronomical. I do not mind paying for the necesssary forms that are needed to complete my taxes. I had underpaid my MN State taxes by $114.00 When the totals for there services were tallied I noticed a charge of $15.00 more to the State of MN
I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is that H & R Block had charged me $36.25 because of this underpayment. This is a total rip off and unacceptable. I discussed this with the representative to no avail and wanted to get my returns done so I have no alternative but to accept thier plan.
This needs to be looked in to. I have also told them that this is probrably the last straw and that I would look elsewhere next year if I need help with my return.
ERVIN of STEWARTVILLE, MN

Helpful?
yes
no
4/16/10
H&R Block is falsely advertising they will process "basic" tax returns for as little as $39 and this is false advertising at its best! My taxes were indeed basic but H&R Block charged me more than 4 times as much as they advertised.
I called on the H&R Block office in Pearland (Shadow Creek next to HEB (713) 436-7751) on 3 separate occasions and asked for assistance regarding filing my 2009 tax return. I specifically asked about the cost because the on line information provided is not crystal clear and I wanted clarification since $39 seemed too good to be true. I was assured over the phone and in person that because I was using only one W-2, I would only be charged the basic $39 rate. I then explained to the representative that I was concerned about how much I would owe to the IRS because I was laid off from December 2008 to November 2009 and I elected not to have taxes taken from my unemployment benefits. She then assured me that my circumstance was still straightforward and she couldn't foresee not processing my tax return for the basic price advertised on television.
My scheduled appointment was Saturday, April 10 at 11:30am. The first 10 minutes with the H&R Block representative were spent assuring me she would take great care of me, reviewing the documents the previous two representatives suggested I bring with me, and pressuring me to sign a document that stated I would pay the fees charged after my tax return was processed.
The final 10 minutes were spent watching her use my one W-2 form, the 1099-G form and a mortgage tax statement I was told was needed to determine if the amount I owed would increase or decrease based on the information on the statement.
After a total of 3 minutes (if indeed it was that long) of watching the H&R Block representative use Turbo Tax software (which she asked if I used when filing in prior years) she pushed enter, printed out my tax return and gleefully announced I did not owe the IRS and would receive a refund of $595. She then pushed the final button on her keyboard which resulted in a fee screen appearing with what I can only state was outrageous! $171.50!
She stated the fees are calculated by some fancy H&R Block software which determines the fee according to how many documents they use to process your tax return (remember, each time I spoke to a representative and told them "my story", they insisted I bring additional documents because otherwise just providing the amounts in my head to place into the system would be insufficient even though I knew them to be true). She then handed me a "price list" (which no one bothered to show me prior to signing the ridiculous legal form and she would not let me leave with a copy of the price list) and uttered some crack-head gibberish that made no sense about my 1099-G and mortgage statement not being on the price list but the software calculated the fees anyway and bada-bing bada- boom, $171.50.
With the hope of making the look of utter dismay disappear from my face, she then added, "of course H&R Block only charges you to the nearest dollar amount so it's only $171 even") and quickly picked up all the paperwork (she generated) and walked immediately to the front of the office to process my payment.
I begrudgingly paid the absurd fee. However, the more I have thought about it, the more I see that H&R Block is like the rest of the money grubbing greedy bottom feeders falsely advertising services for less while all the while scheming the average consumer out of their hard earned money and needs to be stopped or at best "outted" for being no better than common con-artists. H&R Block ripped me off and I know I can't be the only one.
Sincerely,
Underpaid Taxpayer
Brooks of Pearland, TX

Helpful?
yes
no
4/15/10
My husband and I had our taxes done by Cindy on March 27th. We have gone to this H&R Block office for over 10 years. When we got home I was telling our son about what we owed, which we usually do, and he said what about your re-doing the 2 rooms, since you put new windows, doors, insulation etc. I told him I forgot about that since we had done it in early March of 2009. So I called Cindy, told her what happened, she said she'd pull our tax report back and note it as a test, till she heard from me. She told me to get recieipts for exterior doors, windows, insulation, ceiling fans, and recessed lighting. I called the next day 28th, told her the total was $2559.00, she said that we would be cutting off what we owe by $700.00. She then said she would fix the paperwork and send new voucher to us. We live approximately 15 miles from Richland, so mail delivery would take maybe a day, no longer than 2.
By Thurs 4/1/10, we hadn't recieved anything from her, so I called the office, spoke with Cindy and she said it should be arriving soon. I called again on 4/3/10, still no paperwork. Cindy said the runner had just picked it up that day and would have it by next week. We didn't get anything on Monday, waited till Tuesday, nothing so I called. Lady who answered phone said Cindy was with Client, would take a message and have her call me back. She called later saying it was on it's way. Wednesday, nothing, again I called, left message to call me, she didn't return my call that night. Thursday, nothing in mail, I called, this time I told lady who answered that I wasn't leaving any messages since Cindy didn't return my call yesterday. She put me thru to Cindy. Cindy said, she didn't know why we hadn't received it, but would look into it. By Saturday, nothing in mail.
So on Monday 4/12/10, I took work off and went to H&R Block. Cindy wasn't there. I spoke to lady at reception area, telling her my plight, then another employee, Barb overheard what I was saying and took me back to a workstation. She got into the computer and looked up our return. Cindy never made any ajustments to our return, she sent it just we had seen it Saturday morning. I asked Barb, why would Cindy have lied to us all this time. She said she didn't know, but would talk to Cindy later that day. Tuesday evening I got a call from Barb, saying Cindy did the admendment, but we would have to pay what we initially had to, then send in the admendment for the refund. Said I could pick it up, and there was no charge. I told her there should't be a charge, it wasn't our fault, plus we already paid them $233.00. I picked up the admendment Wednesday, and when the lady thanked me, I told her we would never be back and I was going to tell everyone I know, about this situation. These are suppose to be professionals working for H&R Block, evidentally they are not. Maybe H& R better start training more, and checking on their employees. In all the years we dealth with them, I never doubted what they did, now I wander whatelse they screwed up and that's why we were always paying so much. Just think twice before using H&R Block.
Dorothy of Nanty Glo, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
4/15/10
When I arrived for my 1PM appointment at H&R Block I was told there was a "scheduling snafew". The advisor I was scheduled to see was just finishing up with a couple and would see me next. I was told that if I worked with another lady, she would put my data in the computer so when I saw the advisor it would be quick and easy. I spent over two hours with this lady, who I learned was the receptionist because she stopped what she was doing with me to answer the phone and help other people. When I finally was seen by the advisor he ended up putting most of the information in again anyway.
I spent over three hours in the office. H & R Block charged over $500.00 to waste two hours of my time. When I called to file a complaint the lady who returned the call was defensive. She told me scheduling errors happen and offered to give me a discount on having my taxes done next year. I said "no thanks", why would I return to a place that charged me and wasted my time for their mistake?
Audrey of Silver Spring, MD

Helpful?
yes
no
4/15/10
I filed my 2008 taxes with H and R Block. NOTHING was disclosed about the fees, until AFTER my taxes were filed with the accountant, or else I would NOT have filed with tem. I ended up owing them $372 to file. I was shocked, and I had to pay because he had already filed. I owed close to $3000 in taxes on top of everything. All he did was punch in numbers. It was the worst experience I've had doing taxes. I will NEVER go back.
Negeen of Beverly Hills, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
4/14/10
I was a repeat customer. Last year in 2008, the cost of my tax preparation was $99.00. This year, I made an appointment, and the fee wasn't disclosed until Thomas was completely through with my preparation. It cost me $259.00. Nothing was disclosed at the beginning of the appointment. Nothing has changed in my deductions, W2's,,,nothing! I felt I was scammed and obligated to pay so I handed him my credit card. I was SCREWED and did not even enjoy it! I told Thomas they had just lost a customer and that I would never be back.
Donna of birmingham, AL

Helpful?
yes
no
4/14/10
From the other side of the fence:
Is this ONLY a complaint arena? Why do you only ask for complaints?
I work for H & R Block, and I am very pleased there. One thing I have noticed is that people who get products like Refund Anticipation Loans do not take the time to read the fine print. Please, read the fine print before you sign any legal document. I wouldn't bother me to have a customer read the documentation. You pay your money to get your taxes done there, you deserve the time... in my opinion. Yet, I have not seen one person stop and read the fine print...yet.
We, as employees, are required by law to show each client the differences in costs and time frames of getting loans verses not getting a loan and waiting for your funds. It is very clear, explained several times, and put in writing ...on the computer screen during the interview and in 2 different paper documents.
Direct deposit of your funds is usually quite quick. I, myself, would choose that option, and it doesn't cost anything extra.
If your funds are taken for money you owed...hey, you owed it. Own up to it. That's one less bill you owe.
If you are strapped for money....Refund Anticipation Loans to get your funds quickly are an extra expense.
Good luck! And, hey, I had to pass some hefty testing and experience to work there. I love working with the public. Everyone has a unique story.
T of Zephyrhills, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
4/13/10
It was our first time utilizing H&R Block accounting services to prepare and file our tax returns. Usually we use the free software, because our returns are rather simple and we are low income. But, since one of us has began a very small business out of home, we thought it would be good to have the expertise and professional oversight. I stated our case and details over the phone before we made an appointment. In that initial conversation I was told that the total fees would come to about $200. Ended up having to pay over triple that.
Turns out, if you are a touring artist, playing at multiple venues, and those venues each send 1099s, you have to pay H&R Block for each 1099 they enter. Our schedule C alone come to $300. Not that an accountant has a duty to assess our situation first, and to provide cost-saving options, it just seems like the moral thing to advise two low income individuals, operating at a significant loss, what the real H&R fees are going to be and how they will be assessed, before the process begins.
We weren't even asked about deducting utilities used for the home business. Ah, well - any return this year is going straight toward paying off this bill.
Basil of Boston, MA

Helpful?
yes
no
4/12/10
I initiated the process to have my taxes done and I was unhappy with the service. The representative gave me the option of not going on if I was not satisfied. I chose not to complete the process and now a couple months later H&R Block is saying I owe them the cost of the service. I have gotten my taxes done else were and am not financial stable to pay this after being giving the option of not completing the process. Edited Complaint:
Cynthia of Lindenwold, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
4/8/10
I am a military member.
H&R Block did NOT disclose the fee's until after everything was filed then said the total of $260. Since everything was filed, I felt obligated to pay the fee. I also did not have $260 in my account so H&R Block said they would take it from my refund via my bank account for another fee of $50. Grande Total: $310
Angela of Oak Harbor, WA

Helpful?
yes
no
4/4/10
H&R Block advertised "50% off what you paid last year" for new clients. What does that mean? To me it means they'll charge half what you paid last year. To them it means a credit this year of half what you paid last year. Last year I paid $450. This year I am charged $680. "50% off." Not so. Deceptive if not completely false advertising. 1. A week of tech support effort to recover a Win7 Pro workstation which an update from QB2007 had bricked. 2. Several hours to do the same on another Win7 PC, only this one had correctly saved the restore point. 3. Over an hour of hassle on two phone calls trying to get the software to the point that I could actually use what we paid for. To the lawyers reading this: I understand that Intuit, and many others, have serious problems with software pirates. I agree that they should be paid for their work. I don't, however, appreciate being treated like a pirate until I beg and try to prove I'm not one!
Ricker of Keswick, VA

Helpful?
yes
no
4/3/10
I gave Mr. M all my tax info on myself & my children on March 27th. He only required my children's ss#'s & the copy of 2008 tax form, which I provided him on Mar 29th. I am a single mother of 2 minors and had no employment all of 2009. Mr. M gave me the didtinct impression I would probably not even need to file a return. When I came back for my follow-up appt. he told me, because I have a Vanguard account, which I have a small sum to live off of, I would have to file, which fee would be $295.00. Then he said, "oh by the way we have to file a return for your 2 children due to capital gain increase on their college funds. Each of these filings I was charged $280.00, that's $560.00!!
Mr. M sprung this on me w/out any warning, knowing for days that this would happen, he failed to inform me until I was in his office & was basically stuck w/out any choices of an alternate way to file, otherwise I would have consulted a relative who would have filed the children for me w/out charging this rediculous fee!!! I have since contacted the office mgr & e-mailed the district mgr. I believe what Mr. M did was underhanded & unprofessional!! I was never lead to believe I would have to file returns for my children. This is unacceptable. I only expect to be refunded the fee for their filings only. I have contacted my credit card co. to dispute this charge. I will never do business w/ H&R Block again. This is not the kind of treatment or expectations I had of this Co.
Lisa of Jacksonville, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
4/1/10
I went to HR block on March 23, 2010 in Elgin, Texas to review my taxes I had all 2009 paper work, but didn't have my copy of prepared tax to compare taxes.
So they said they could do a practice test with out a lot of detail about a practice test what it really was, I continued on.
Taxes papered by Betty, I was charged $29.00 for a practice test that showed no detail information on a work sheet, than I asked for a copy of the practice test and I was told she couldn't give me a copy of it until they spoke to the manger.
To get to the point I was charged for a practice test with no information to compare taxes to and second the calculations were completely off to from what I will be submitting to IRS.
I was informed not to go to H&R Block because of the stories others have told me about taxes being done incorrectly and high fees being charge.
I will not refer and anyone to H&R Block to anyone.
When a business offers a service and doesn't have any customers ask yourself should you go in?
Swindle out of $29.00 by H&R Block
214 A US Hwy 290 E Elgin, Texas 78621
Sherri of Austin, TX

Helpful?
yes
no
4/1/10
I just left H&R Block with my taxes untouched.I had my taxes done by Dennis Dyce on 3/23/2010. They charged me $195.00 for a simple form. I'm attending school so I needed to show taxes for 2008 also, I could not find them and swore I had filed, the school made a phone call for me and found that I hadn't filed. So the IRS printed out my w2's for me and faxed them over to the school. I took them to Dennis Dyce to have them done and he told me that he was overwhelmed by me and didn't act like he knew what he was doing. In fact the first time I had them done by him he had to ask for help from a couple of the girls that worked there.

Dennis left the office to go ask another co-worker how to handle my return and came back to ask me if I was prepared to pay to have my taxes done today. I asked why he thought I would have to pay? He said because I had taken out my 401K early and he assumed it was for living expenses only not even that polite. There was a 10% penalty for taking it out early. I said there had already been taxes withheld by Merrill Lynch for $961.00. Then he said the second amount was the rollover amount and wouldn't be taxed. Now I'm really confused.. so I said you won't do my taxes because you feel I don't have money to pay to have them done today???? No, I didn't say I wouldn't do them. Then what are you saying? I'm totally confused! Dennis, shhhhh, I'm going to do a trial tax to see if I can find out if you will owe.

I leave to get some water and I come back to see that he has stopped doing anything,he apologizes and tells me again I"m sorry but you just really have me flaburgasted, I don't know what....., let me go ask again, I hear his co-worker mention cold hard cash. Again I was so upset, I said so you can't tell me how much this will cost me? Dennis: will you have the money to pay today. Again, how much, a couple of thousand what??????????? Dennis: Well how much are you getting back from last year? A couple of thousand. So if I owe a couple of thousand then it will all come out in the wash. Dennis: well let's hope not. Okay so I guess I'll go home and try to figure out what I'll owe. Dennis: Well can you do that? I guess I have to. I will need a friend to help. Dennis: Well if you can do that then that would be better and you won't have to pay us.

As I'm walking out thinking I really should try to talk to someone else to see if this is all true and the way they really treat people, Dennis escorted me to the door. He acted like he knew I was looking for someone to talk to and did not want me to. I got in my car and called the Peoria office and let them know what had happened and I'm now waiting to hear from them.. Boy were they really going to charge me that much to do my taxes, do I look like I have no money????? I ended up crying and feel stupid for it now but I work full time as a caregiver and go to school 20 hours. I'm a 55 year old woman and attending school for my CDL. Truck driving license, lots to learn, and don't want to be a flake like the people at H&R Block, I want to know what the hell I'm doing when I get behind the wheel of that rig!!!!!!
diane of Glendale, AZ

Helpful?
yes
no
3/31/10
I showed my preparer my last year's return, and told her that my 2009 income and deductions would be similar. She quoted me a $300 to $400 fee. She refused me a written estimate saying that H&R Block does not do that. She ended up charging me $562 (which includes $30 for their "Peace of Mind"). If $350 is a good average between her quoted $300 and $400, than she overcharged me $182.
Eric of New York, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
3/30/10
Brought my Mother in on April 27th we had a appointment at 11 with Kim, when we got there there were two women who were not interest in helping us except for telling us theat one had swithched hours with Kim\and they couldn't find my Mothers
returns (my sister-in-law hads dropeed them off at an earlier day) and maybe we would have to come back at another time (when I made the appointment I had made it with Kim and couldn't get an appointment with her till the 27th) we came from out of town and I had left several # to contact me if it was going to be a problem with that date) I told them I had no interest in drivng over again from Sartell.
They finally found Mom's reutrns told she owed around $1,000 Mom said she could,'t afford that all at one time
they she should call the IRS never offered us an extension form or even a phone # but charged my 79 year old Mother $138.00 for basicly three simple forms. The two women in there made us feel like we were intruding on there personal time and there was no one in the office beside us. I will never enter another office of the H&R Block and will not ever refer anyone to them EVER
BARBARA of SARTELL, MN

Helpful?
yes
no
3/29/10
I went to have my taxes done today and am VERY disappointed with the service. I am not sure if my taxes were prepared by a tax specialist or the receptionist, as every time the phone rang, or someone walked into the office, she stopped helping me and answered the phone, took messages for other preparers that were with clients, or greeted incoming customers. The really disappointing fact was that I had multiple withdrawals from an IRA, for housing and medical, which involved penalties,and I was told that "the program will only allow me to enter one or the other penalty deduction", and I had to show the preparer how to enter them both, as the program was similar to the Tax Act program I usually use.
For the money that they charge, $480.00 in my case, the client should at least get full attention from a preparer, that is familiar with the tax program they are using. After speaking with the manager and getting nothing but apologies, I mailed a letter to H&R Block headquarters stating my concerns, since they do NOT provide a email add. for complaints, needless to say I have not received a reply.
George of Sebastian, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
3/29/10
I went and had them prepare my taxes.The taxpreparer informed me that it would cost $300 dollars to complete my taxes.I had forgotten my $30 off coupon but the preparer offered me a $25 off coupon. My total should have been $275 a little higher than usual but fine. As the preparer sent my taxes through e-file the power in the office went off. The preparer told me that she would send me my papers since there was no power. Their fee would be deducted from my return that would be automatically put into my bank account.

Later when I received my return I realized that they had charged me $328.85 They did not apply the coupon and had charged me for a refund anticipation check (which I did not receive) and for $30 audit guarantee(that I was initially charged in $300 amount and did not agree to. I wasnt able to dispute these charges because 2 weeks passed and they never sent me my tax forms or fee charges paperwork. I had to personally go to the office and demand my paperwork after I complained about the charges. They were refusing to give my copy of the taxes I overpaid for. I have spoken to the manager Philip Rimmler and have not received any help or sufficient explanatrion about the charges. Under the law I know I had three days to dispute a loan anticipation check but did not have the paperwork to know I had signed up for it and even if I did I never received that check I got the money put into my bank account no anticipation loan check.
elias of bellerose, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
3/27/10
I hope I am not to late to stop people going there.
Although the person was very nice and I am assuming not her fault, I have to say I will NEVER recommend H&R Block to ANYONE especially my family & friends. In fact I am too embarrassed to tell anyone just how much it was.
I asked at the beginning how much it was going to be but was told she wouldnt know until it was done. NEVER thinking that it would be so much $368.00. I was shocked. I never paid that much. If I knew I would not have had them done at H&R Block
My tax return did not involve that much that it would cost so much and took less than an hour. Imagine less than an hour at that price. Needless to say I am $368.00 more in debt when I left and out of work since 2/09. I wished I checked the comments from people online before I went.
SG of Boston, MA

Helpful?
yes
no
3/25/10
Accompanied my son to have his taxes prepared. He basically had little or no income, been unemployed and not receiving unemployment benefits. Had no ownership of any sort and is a renter. He did have a 1099-misc and because of that we ended up paying an enormous additional fee. At the end of the short session she charged $261. I myself pay my tax accountant $120 to do my taxes which include investments. You want complaints!!!!!? Looks like you have them according to this site and you obviously aren't paying attention to the scam these people are charging. I may not receive a credit of any sort on this but I'm certainly presenting my paperwork and receipt of payment to the attention of our Attorney General of Minnesota. There is also a group I'm contacting thru Whistleblower and an Investigative group at one of our TV Networks. Her answer was 'but your getting money back! After paying them off, maybe $200.
Cecelia of St michael, MN

Helpful?
yes
no
3/25/10
Do yourself a favor. Do not patronize H&R Block. I made the mistake of going to them because my CPA was on maternity leave. WHAT A MISTAKE. Firstly, if you are filing long form and choose H & R Block, you are exposing yourself to be ripped off. I have filed long form for better than 15 years now. I know the drill. I have the paperwork and numbers ready. After spending more than two hours with the H&R Block rep she tried to tell me paying $500 for her to file my taxes was going toward her 8+ weeks of specialized tax prep training and court appearance fees if necessary. I never paid this amount to a CPA. I've paid no more than $350 in the last 10 years and nothing dramtically changed in my tax status in order for this to be acceptable.
So, I asked for an itemized statement of the work performed in order to make a qualified decision as to whether I should have them proceed with my tax filing. This is what any intelligent consumer would ask. They refused. Why do you think? Luckily for me, my brother sits on the board of B&R Block. I cannot wait to hear his evaluation of this situation. Nonetheless. BE FORWARNED. H&R Block is negligent. Punitive damages for H&R Block.
Katharine of Hunington Beach, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
3/18/10
I would never recommend to go to them. My tax return was $355 and I had to pay $135 to get them which is ridiculous. Waste of money the girl had no idea what she was doing. Had to ask around for help. I should have just done them myself because I probably would have done a better job then her.
Katie of Westbank, BC

Helpful?
yes
no
3/17/10
I called on 3/5/10 to get information on the cost of tax preparation. The rep quoted me about $175. I amde the appointment for Sunday. Before heading in I went on the H&R block website and started a return so I would have an idea of how much my refund would be. When I got to the office the preparer pulled all the information that I had already entered online. Then i was charged $276!!!! My problem is 3 fold: (1) the price they quoted was no where near what I was cahrged. (2) I did 75% of the work by entering information online. (3) If I am paying for "expert" or "professional" services from H&R block, then why wasn't a CPA preparing my taxes?

I called their customer service and filed a complaint.
They also charged me $20 for a RAC, I couldn't get a straight answer on what it was. I also didn't get an itemized receipt of their charges which I requested.
M.K. of Bronx, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
3/8/10
Ive been dealing with HR Block over 10 years and Ive been a victum by their over charging there customer to much for the loans.
KEISHA of LANCASTER, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
3/7/10
I would like to start out by saying that my rep. was very cordial and informative about my tax situation. I had a very positve experience for the three and a half hours I was there but my problem started when my taxes were over and done. That is when I found out what my cost was not before we spent all the time doing them. I had to pay H&R block $520.00 twice what I paid for my taxes last year. After so much time and effort I hesitantly agreed to accept the rip-off charges. My only difference in the previous years taxes compared to this years was the fact that I had a rental property to include. I was told by my rep. that these prices were beyond his control and that if I had a problem with the charges I should fill out a H&R survey and let them know of my displeasure. I went to the H&R website and found no survey section so I called there 1-800 line and asked the assistant on the line, he had no idea what I was talking about so he put me on hold.
After returning he said he knew of no such survey on line, so I asked for a manager and he informed me that the manager was unaware of any survey site either. So I said this is why I will no longer use H&R block for any of my tax business and neither will the 35 members of my extended family now that they know my frustration. H&R Block POST YOUR PRICES LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
LES of MORENO VALLEY, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
3/2/10
After calling H&R Block to find out how much it would cost (around $68 or so)to get my family of 3's taxes done, we decided to set up an appointment. Since the cost was only going to be $68, I decided to have them do a second look for $30 on last year's taxes, which I had done on TurboTax online for free. She found $10. First waste of money. Now I know TurboTax is the right choice, but, oh, am I not done! When she proceeded to put in our information for this year's taxes, we were excited when she showed us what our refund would be. Then she told us what we would be charged for today's services...brace yourself! $383! We had NO idea that this was coming, and we have been struggling to pay our normal bills and are already behind on our mortgage. More now! This was a HUGE chunk of our refund! I paid on a credit card, so at least I'd have a few months to pay off this crazy number.
The only things we had were day care receipts and a mortgage statement. When my hubby called back yesterday to ask about this insane charge, he was told that the day care form cost over $100 and the mortgage form was around $80 and then there was the normal form. They told him that they have to pay the government for the forms (which is [lies]...we can all get them free at the library or plenty of other locations, like on-line) and so we have to pay part of it.
I also did a phone survey yesterday, in which I reported our problem and gave them the lowest scores you can give. We told them that no one we know will ever come here, as well as no one they know, and so on. I come across a lot of people in my job, as does my husband, and we are spreading the word vehemently. I only wish someone had told me.
When you call and they give you a price, so you decide to go there, then they blow it up by 5x or so, I feel like I have been robbed and violated. No one in this economy can afford this. Donald Trump probably doesn't pay this much for his taxes! Now no groceries for the month...we'll have to figure something out. I HATE H&R BLOCK! Can't afford to pay for basic life supplies because H&R Block jacked our charges up so high. Ridiculous and should bee illegal. If there are ever charges filed against them, I am THERE! Can't afford to pay for basic life supplies because H&R Block jacked our charges up so high. Ridiculous and should bee illegal. If there are ever charges filed against them, I am THERE!
Rebecca of Port Huron, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
2/26/10
I Went to H&R Block on 2/21/10 to have my taxes done. I have one w-2, and my two children under 15. I had nothing else to claim. No house no nothing. They charged me $276.00. I was outraged. I am a single mother of two. If i had gone to my old tax preparere from when i was married it would have been almost $150.00 cheaper. I am really outraged and think i should be reimburesed some of the funds.
michelle of norton, MA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/24/10
My girlfriend filed and had to pay $180 on a $1930 return and my mother in law payed $74 on an $1100 return. There seemed to be confusion on my returns so I had to consult my company before I filed. But for fun the accountant still went through the computer to see how much I would be getting back, just in case my returns were accurate. I was only suppose to get back $900 and only suppose to pay $80 tops. When I went back today to file I had another gentlemen do my taxes. The $900 was accurate however my cost jumped up to $130!!! I told him the other guy said it was only $80. He said he didn't have proof of that (since they saved my file). So I was a sucker and paid it. but made sure to comment on my girlfriends amount vs my amount to pay.

He didn't have a real good answer and by this point I just wanted to leave. It too him 15 minutes just to get staples and fill his stapler!! I will NEVER go back to H & R Block neither will my family they just lost a total of 5 people and counting!!
Samantha of Boulder City, NV

Helpful?
yes
no
2/20/10
I've been filing at H&R block for the past couple of years, but this year I was not happy at all with my scheduled appointment that was at 6:30p and I wasn't seen until 7:45p. I asked the women helping me before we began will the price for filing rise more from last year, I felt she was not being honest because if she knew I will be paying more she should have told me. I payed over $350 and still no refund basically 13 days later where she said my refund will be here for sure Feb. 10th. H&R block charged me over $100 for each proof of tax document, this is my last year doing my tax return with them they lost a valued customer. Behind in bills because I was counting on my return to have come. My car cannot get fixed now I'm late for school everyday because I have to get my son settled.
nico of syracuse, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
2/12/10
I have filed my taxes with H&R Block for the past 3 years. This year I have chosen not to do so. In order to complete my tax returns, I need my prior year return. However, H&R Block has all but refused to provide them to me in the following manner: (1) I was told that I would have to pay H&R Block to do my taxes this year in order to access my prior year. (2) I was told that my records are available online if I consent (but don't pay) to have them do my returns this year. (3) I was told that the online system containing prior year returns was down for maintainance. (4) I was told that my prior year returns would be available on a certain day. (5) I was told (when that certain day came and went) that my prior year returns would be available in 9 days. (6) I was told that if I want my prior year returns that I need to contact the IRS. (7) I was told they will try to have my prior year returns sent to a local branch within the next 48 hours.
This has been going on for over a week. In my first 4 attempts to contact someone from customer service our conversation was diconnected. At no point did were any of those issues disconnected conversations followed up on. Therefore, I have then had to go through the entire scenario all over again each time. First of all, I paid H&R Block to have my taxes done. I should not have to pay the IRS a fee of $57 for something that I have already paid for. I am not asking for any service, simply a copy of the services that H&R Block provided to me already. Secondly, the nature in which they have approached this issue seems to be bordering on blackmail (ie- We will give you your prior year returns if you pay us to do your taxes this year). Also, I find it to be highly irresponsible for a tax services firm to be doing maintenance on their tax system in the middle of tax season.
S. of Angier, NC

Helpful?
yes
no
2/10/10
We received a $25 OFF coupon in the mail for Tax Prep w/H&R. We have always gone to H&R and thought how nice to give customers a little break! How wrong we were, upon giving the coupon at our Appt. to deduct off our $196 bill, it was stated that they don't take coupons at our location because we are to small a town! Why would H&R mail out such a thing to areas that will not accept it unless it is a way of luring in customers?? Shame on H&R Block!!!!!! We won't be falling for that again!!!!!
Karen of Columbus, WI

Helpful?
yes
no
2/9/10
I went to H&R Block today to get my taxes done. I usually do tem myself but decided to have them done since they were advertising a rate of only $69.98. I figured if they help me out at all its workth the few extra dollars it costs over doing them myself. I sat down with a representative for over an hour. When my taxes were done, the I was told that it was going to cost $258.00 instead of the advertised $69. When I inquired why the over three hundred percent markup, I was told "Your taxes are very complicated because you earned savings account interest and you paid student loan interest". I told her Im not paying and walked out. The stuff taht made my taxes "Complicated" took less then five minutes for her to input.
Eric of San Diego, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/5/10
My husband and I have used this service for many years. I was unsure about doing my own taxes, so I called H and R Block to see how much the fees would be because our income has decreased and we only had one deduction. The man who answered told me it would be between $68 and no more than $100. I told him I had a W2 and one from my unemployment and my husbands disability. He told me that price. After sighing papers and going thru the process, we were charged over $200 dollars that was almost all of our return. I feel very mislead, We knew we would not get much back, but this is really unfair. Not sure what can be done. Thought I would use their website on their brocure but I can't find it. Hope you can help. or at least warn people. Apparently you get charged for every piece of paper and deductalbe
Linda of Millville, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
2/2/10
Like everyone else I paid a certain fee for a certain service and have not receive my check yet. I feel like because I didn't receive my check in 1-2 days like the said I would I should get some of my money back 4 the fees I paid.
Chicquita of Milton, NC

Helpful?
yes
no
1/31/10
PEACE OF MIND only if you pay for it. If you take your taxes to H & R Block and do not pay the additional $30 for Peace of Mind, in addition to the fee for having your taxes prepared you are setting yourself up for potential backlash. Reputable professional service must be paid for TWICE at H & R Block. This does not leave consumers with a Peace of Mind but as vulnerable consumers that are a year away from having the IRS knock on their door for money because a Professional that you paid for, made a mistake on your taxes.

Unfortunately, I can attest to this first hand. H & R Blocks Purpose is NOT a state-of-the-art tax preparation experience for everyone. I took my December 2008 paycheck studs to the Maryland City Location H & R Block Location and because the preparer used the 2007 W-2s, I now owe $5,000 plus to the IRS. I no longer have Peace of Mind dealing with H & R Block. As a consumer, during tax season you are at the hands of fictitious professionals, if a physician makes a mistake, there is malpractice insurance involved. At H & R Block if you do not pay an additional fee for mistakes made by the preparer, mistakes are not covered.

I tried contacting individuals to assist me at H & R Block, to no avail. I was told by one employer at H & R Block in the Columbia Mall, An obvious mistake was made by the preparer, however, since you did not purchase the peace of mind, this will be a costly mistake for you.
H & R Block states their values encompass; Client Focus, Responsibility, Teamwork, Integrity, and Respect. How regrettable I will never refer another person to H & R Block, nor will I ever look to them as professionals in the Tax Industry. Did I mention I have used H & R Block for 20 years.
Alison of Elkridge, MD

Helpful?
yes
no
1/26/10
If you have bad credit and file your taxes at H&R Block, DO NOT choose to get your tax return money in 2 days or less. You will not qualify even if they tell you, "no problem, you'll qualify."
I waited 2 days and did not get my $$. I immediatly researched online and found a mountain of complaints. I called H&R Block and found out that I too was denied and now have to wait the normal 8-15 days. Turbo Tax is free and I wish I would have just gone that route. If I had, I would have saved $260 and the fee for the 2-day return advance.
If you've already filed w/ H&R Block w/ the 2-day pay service don't bother trying to cancel. You'll still have to pay H&R Block for their service.
It's a drag. I wish I would have found this site before then. Lesson learned.
It's the bank guaranteeing your loan for the tax return who denies you which has nothing to do w/ H&R Block. However, they could be more up front especially when I told the woman who helped me that I had bad credit and wouldn't qualify. She guaranteed me after everything was complete a check in 2 days.
Other than this major snafu, she was great and through and their customer service in responding to my questions was excellent, including the supervisor who called me back when I had questions about cancelling.
It then I learned how much of a hassle it was going to be to cancel and decided and take the loss rather than tie up my $$ for a much longer time because the lender has to wait for your IRS check then return it and then the IRS has to cut you a new check.
Lisa of Santa Cruz, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
1/23/10
My mother and stepdad are both deaf and went to H&R Block to have there 2009 Tax Returns done. My mother paid over $300 in fees to get her money back on January 19,2010 they went down there to get it and H&R Block made an ERROR on there Refund by putting the last digit of her SSN# down wrong. She paid $30 for (POM) peace of mind which i read it covers up to $5,000 in taxes if H&R made an ERROR and she owes the IRS. What about the (POM) for them getting it right? on top of it she has been in and out of the hospital, stepdad had back surgery just a month ago and there power is cut off because the couldn't pay it and they are having to stay with me. (they had made a deal with the power company to pay by the 19th) I would not recommend using H&R Block. They were told they might get it by Jan. 22, 2010 who knows if they will or not.
Penny of Cottondale, AL

Helpful?
yes
no
1/21/10
The woman worked with me (S. Jadin from H&R Block) for approx. 30 mins., gave me no deductions, nothing new that I hadn't thought of, no advice about anything, only when I reminded her of my child credit..she took into consideration, else I would have lost another $1000. I could have filed it myself, I had a relatively easy return just one W2, The only forms needed were ITIN- W7. when asked do I not require to submit any supporting document to my W7 the woman replied no..non at all. The IRS has all that information, only to know after 6weeks of waiting IRS is sending me notice to include the supports for W7.
There was no mention up front what the cost would be, They charged me $250 dollars another $30 for piece of mind, no explanation. I have repeatedly called H&R after receiving IRS notice but no one bothers to call back. even though I bought piece of mind for another $30 there has been no response yet from H&R. They should be shut down for what they charge people. I will never go there again and will tell every person I talk what they charge and to never go there. Such a lousy and Poor customer service.
Bobby of puyallup, WA

Helpful?
yes
no
5/12/09
Have used H&R Block for 4 years (all of the information is stored on their computer) and our tax situation has not changed much. I was shocked when their price went from $325 to $671 in 2008! They said that they started charging by form used and they ask you to sign a fine-print disclosure form up-front without telling you that they have more than doubled their price in 1 year. They do a pretty good job but it is not worth it as they spent about 1 hour on the return. This is a stupid move on their part to do this to loyal customers without doing some type of price sensitivity analysis!! I am not going back to H & R Block!
Ron of Golden Valley, MN

Helpful?
yes
no
5/5/09
I am in my young twenties and very un-educated when it come to filing my taxes, I trusted this well known company to help me in doing so. Marilyn Post and her fellow associates failed to explain the fees and processes. I assumed (not knowing) after paying over $200 in standard preperation fees, that they would lick a stamp and send out my forms. No one instructed me in having myself do it. If I knew that I needed to send out MY OWN paperwork I would have saved myself $200. After not being instructed, I waited eight weeks excited for my return. I am getting married and using a lot of the return for it, and the honey moon. I called into the IRS and they tell me they have not recieved my returns. I then call H&R block just to recieve a lady on the other end, chuckeling at my uneducated actions. I explain that no one has told me their procedures and that I need help...only for her to reply with a sales pitch in having me come back in and re-file (paying all the fees again). I have gone over all of the paperwork and there is nothing stated that I need yo file my own paperwork. Last time I checked concelement of information from a financial company is fraud?
I was expecting a small amount of money at about $1500. I was going to put a little away for the wedding and save the rest. now I have to use my own current income (unemployment) to pay for the wedding, in turn putting a lot of stress on my bills! not being able to pay rent, electric etc.
Jon of Hubbard, OR

Helpful?
yes
no
4/28/09
I had H&R block prepare my return along with my sons. I had a $49 coupon for the preperation of a dependents return and was told it applied to my 20 year old sons return. When I went to pick up the returns, I was told the costs of my sons was about $230.00 because I would get more my back from the IRS by not including him as a dependent on my return. I then asked them to calculate it both ways and found in total it is costing me $180 more to save less than $100. I asked them to rework the returns and use the $49 coupon. I had to go out of town so my wife picked up the returns the next day. They convinced her to pay the $230 for my sons return. I believe they took advantage of us. My son's tax information consisted of only 3 documents, (2) W2's and tution information. I could have easily prepared it my self if I had been given the correct information by H&R block from the begining.
About $180 lost.
Dwight of Simpsonville, SC

Helpful?
yes
no
4/19/09
When we met with D. Destro on 2/26/09 and after she reviewed our situation, we were told our taxes would cost approx. $350 to be done. Six weeks and 15 unreturned calls later (4/10/09), our taxes were done for a cost of $615! When we told the receptionist what we were quoted, she asked Ms. Destro and she said she didn't know where we got that number because she never quoted us $350. So our taxes were going to be held hostage until we paid.
We requested that Ms. Destro call us and of course she never did. I tried contacting her on 4/11/09 and 4/13/09 and have yet to hear from her. Today I learned that a friend of the family experienced the same thing. People need to know that these things are happening. Had to pay additional $265.
Christine of Medina, OH

Helpful?
yes
no
4/15/09
I went to H & R Block to have my taxes prepared. I was having a problem with my ex-wife not signing the proper forms for me to claim my two children as outlined in my divorce creed. I did all the research from the IRS that states if my divorce was after 1984 I could submit three articles in place of the forms. So the bottom line is I did all the work, I just had to sign the papers and I was charged $270.00, and I make less than $50,000.00 a year.
I lost $270.00 which is three weeks of food for me and the kids, and I owe the IRS $1300.00. I was NEVER told the amount it was going to cost me, and they kept my W2's so that i would have to come back.
Al of Lakewood, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
4/15/09
I had a relatively easy return, my federal return was filed on the EZ form and my state was easy as well. The only forms I needed were part year non-resident, but no Schedule A or any other forms were needed. The woman worked w/ me for approx. 20 mins., gave me no deductions, nothing new that I hadn't thought of, no advice about anything. I could have filed it myself, there was no mention up front what the cost would be, I was told over the phone prior to the appt. that every one's fee was different according to the forms required. They charged me $204 dollars, no explanation, I freaked out.
I felt like I had been raped. I was afraid to deny payment because then they'd screw up my federal filing which was being sent by them directly to the IRS. I was in shock and it ruined my whole weekend, I'm saving money for my job relocation and the $200 fee was the last thing I needed. It just wasn't fair. I had a feeling they go by what your income is for the year and charge accordingly? I vowed to myself that I'd report them and am telling everyone I know not to use their services.
Tara of Jersey City, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
4/13/09

I got my taxes done with HR Block. I was charged an outrageous price of $377. I did not know that HR & Block charges per form. The same taxes that have cost me $150 every other year, were more than twice as much with HRB. They are ripping off the consumer. Had I gone on-line and read all the complaints from consumers I would have saved myself a lot of money. I would not recommend HRB to anyone, and I would never have them do my taxes again.

Lydia of Aberdeen, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
4/10/09
I'm only 20 and a college student, and this is only the second time I have had to file my taxes. A friend of the family did it last year for free, but she was unavailable and its getting down to the time for me to get my taxes done. So I go to H and R Block thinking its not going to be very expensive. I made roughly $3,500 dollars waitressing for a few months over the summer and I started my own passion parties business in the last month of the year so my profit was only about $200, plus a few deductions for starting my business. THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME $190.
I'm only getting back $210 dollars from the Feds and $98 from the state! Thats almost all of my return! She barely worked with me for a half an hour and I have no idea what to do. I dont have that kind of money to pay her! I'm in college and not really working! I told her I would come back because I thought I might have some paper work left at home, and she KEPT my W-2! I am at a loss for what to do.
Rachael of Saltsburg, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
4/8/09
I was extremely disapointed with the service at H&R block. My tax guy retired so I made an appointment. I asked what the charges were and they said they were the going rate, very competative! We had been laid off had 7 w-2's betweeen us, and 4 1099's. Never once did they explain the charges. It cost me $411 to get my taxes done. I asked for a breakdown of the charges, she laughed and said it was internal in the computer.
I asked 3 different times what is the estimate, they told me don't worry it is the average price. On top of that we owe $14,382 to federal and state. I asked her what are payment options were and she said that was out of her hands, call the IRS yourself. I left steaming mad. I am an easy going person. Is it leagal not disclose the cost when asked several times?? Sounds really shady. It was too close to tax crunch to get in somewhere else. I went to tax advisers last year and paid $250. H&R block will not get my buisness next year!
I am questioning that my taxes have been done right? I will get a 2nd look at them (somewhere else. I called 3 other places the cost for my situation is $250 total, $100 to look over what has been filed.
Laura of Lompoc, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
4/7/09
she told me $100.00 to fill my income taxes out. that was on friday.so when I went back on monday beverly told it was going to be $306.00 & when I got to the register it was $307.00 I have my reciept in my folder.so that left me with no money to pay any bills.
it blew my mind .when beverly said $307.00 I have never been in that kind of mess before I told beverly I could not buy any grocery.but this took the cake.
Mildred of Fayetteville, NC

Helpful?
yes
no
4/6/09
We have always went to H&R Block to get our taxes filled out. Every yr we itemize because my husbands job. After sitting there for 2 hrs with Nikki a first yr tax prep grad This yr we were charged $649.00 to file the same way we did last yr for $312.00. When we ask What? She said prices had went up and she used a couple more forms. We pd it because it is close to filling date and we did not want to have to pay for there time and have to go else and pay again. COME ON PEOPLE THIS IS RIDICULOUS. They have had class action brought against them before for consumer fraud. Please help me somebody.
We went in thinking it would be around $300.00. This put stain on my family for a couple weeks in this economy. This is consumer fraud. They dont and wont tell you up front. It should be stopped.
Angie of Mayslick, KY

Helpful?
yes
no
4/6/09
2007 Taxes at H & R Block cost me $1034.00 less a $50.00 coupon. Never again. H & R Block charges per form. In 2006 I paid about 40% less for the same forms to be completed. You can not get an estimate without of the cost without the tax work being done. The tax preparer cannot even tell you the cost till the end of the work. This is a very sinister way to do business. Jackson Hewett is the same way
H of Valparaiso, IN

Helpful?
yes
no
4/4/09
Dear Sir/Madame: My husband and I went to HR Block, Greer, to have our taxes prepared. After 3 hours in the office, with not much confidence in the preparation, we were told the fee to prepare our taxes was $538.00. My husband and I have always paid our bills and in this uncertain economic time, those charges were very very shocking. They told us they charge by the form.
I feel we should have been informed of the fees prior to the preparation. We were not and after 3 hours spent, we certainly did not want to have them charge us for their time and we would have to pay again if we choose to utilize a different venue. It is very disheartening to know that they took almost half of our return. Last year we paid $200.00 and had one less form than this year. Thank you for your time.
charged $538.00 for tax prep. see above for details.
Rhonda of Greer, SC

Helpful?
yes
no
3/30/09
I went to H & R Block on 2/26/09 to have my taxes done. When I came home I reviewed the file and there was a huge mistake that could have caused me to be audited. The fees for this services were obscene, $284.00 plus a $29.95 bank fee. I only made $15,000.00 in 2008. The fees were not explained up front. Mr. C said he never tells people the fees unless they ask. I told him I changed my mind and did not want to use his service within 24 hours of the tax service. He said it was to late and the tax return had been filed.
I don't feel comfortable about this tax return. Mr C couldn't even find the page the mistake was on and I had to keep repeating page 2. He said he would correct the mistake but I was stuck with his service. I asked for a complaint/customer service number for H & R Block and he gave me a wrong number. There must be some recourse for poor business practice when it was brought to the attention of the business in less than 24 hours.
H & R Block fee of $284.00 Bank fee of $ 29.95 Possibility of an IRS Audit with no documentation to support the file.
Stacy of Redlands, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
3/28/09
This is the 4th year that I have done my taxes with H&R block and I can tell you that they are taking advantage of the consumer this year. I have been out of work since May of 2008 and had a year of many hardships. Like every other year I needed to get my taxes done and as a sole proprietor it is a little more complicated. This year was actually much simpler then years past because I only had two clients this year and made a total of $38,000. I had two bank accounts which made minimal interest. My business deductions were standard as were my personal deductions. There was nothing new this year. I was charged $677.00 for my tax return. I couldn't believe it! There was no reason for this. Last year which was more complicated because my business was thriving cost me $300.00 less. This is a total outrage, when more then ever I need to keep my money.
I am a single mother with a son who I am raising who is in high school and an older daughter with her 3 month old baby who lives with me and I help support. I have been living on my savings which are dwindling away. I would like to know how this return which took less then one hour could possibly cost $677.00. After reading others stories I feel there needs to be some kind of action taken against the company who are ripping off the poor consumer.
Joy of Gilbert, AZ

Helpful?
yes
no
3/27/09
I had them filed for my income tax for 2008 with a stunning charges of $522. I never thought it's going to be this high until everything was done, complained and shocked, I paid them anyway. To begin with, she said it will start at $65, and I thought it might just go up the same as last year which they charged me with $225. In fact they corrected my 2007 returns after receiving a letter from IRS....which I believed it's their mistake because I had all the income receipts for them and they missed something that need to be included. For that matter there was no charge because it's on their part to do the corrections I believed considering with their ads saying satisfaction guaranteed.
I received again a letter from the IRS and brought it back again to them, this time she said there might be $55 charges I said why would I be charged then she called her district manager who did the correction of my 2007 returns and that settled without charge so she faxed a letter to the IRS on my part that everything is being taken care of. I happened to bring all my income tax receipts with me for this year so I decided to have them filed it for me again this year thinking of the amount around $200 the same as last year since I brought all my income tax receipt for 2008. I am a part-time substitute teacher and stay-at-home mom.
With this amount she charges me is keeping me awake all night, I wished I knew ahead of time or she should tell me that it's going to cost me so much money along the way, I could have just filed it myself if I knew she will charge me this much. What bother me too is that she's not telling me the whole thing about the charges beforehand because if I knew the amount then I knew my limit if I can afford it. She told me after she was done and after I complained of so much money she said there's a charge of $3.00 per paper she go through and just now I called her to complained about her charges and asked for further explanation of the amount
she said this time that with just those papers she looked at it's already $169.00. I said what's the difference of last years filing charge? she said because there were some items that they missed on it. I am completely bothered by this, I am not earning so much money, I have no assigned worked due to school budget cut, and have 3 children to take care of and to charge me this high is hard to understand. I just wished she told me beforehand or even along the way during the process that I am getting to this certain amount. Please help me to find out, am I wrong to complain like this or should they really charge me this high? I asked a few people with the same situation like mine they didn't pay that much.
I paid the amount she charged me even though I felt bad about the cost of the filing and wished that I could stop her in completing the paperwork if she just warn me that it will cost me that high or at least told me the entire cost ahead of time. I could have used half of that money for the expenses of my children. i am just disturbed why I allowed her to do it.
Elma of Belleview, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
3/25/09
180.00 to fill out my taxes that took her about 15 minutes to do. i in my wildest thoughts never thought it would cost that much. i went in there thinking that 100.00 would be way to much. i learned a valueable lesson. Ask how much first. they should be shut down for what they charge people. i will never go there again and i will tell every person i talk what they charge and to never go there. shame on them.
Margaret of Ypsilanti, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
3/24/09
i filed my taxes on the 11th of march i check where's my refund on IRS.gov and it had said that my money would be on my card by march 20 2009 so i waited all day and never got my money so i called the emerald card bank becuase i was having my money dreict depoisted on the card and they told me my money would be there on monday it was a saturday that i called all day monday i have called to try to talk to some one about my money and now they are telling me that i will not reseve my money until next friday and i keep getting the run around and still have not gotting any info about my money i would tell everyone you know not to use H&R block they are not out to help you they are out to take your money and not give two cents about what you need the money for if you cant pay your bills they dont care because its not them
i could lose a lot of the stuff i own my lights could be turn off and my could lose my apartment because of them giving me the run around
Angel of Claremont, NH

Helpful?
yes
no
3/23/09
My husband and I usually prepare our own taxes. This year we were puzzled by a form that our bank had sent us related to the sale of our house last year. This form was for abandoned property and looked like it would apply to people who had foreclosed on a house, which we had not done. We went to H&R Block to see if they knew what to do with this form. They would not listen to us when we told them that we had sold our house directly and that we had not foreclosed on it. They kept insisting that we just needed to fill out some other tax form related to this form. This did not seem right to us, and we felt that we were being treated like scum so we took our paperwork and left. After we were later finally able to get through to someone at our bank, we found out that this form had been sent to us in error and they sent us the correct form. We finished our taxes ourselves.
Despite our complaints about their incompetence and lack of service, H&R Block is now billing us for a $29 consultation fee. What a scam.
Emily of Oldsmar, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
3/15/09
I was charged an additional $100+ for one form - One page. There were about 3 or 4 questions to answer. I could not believe the cost, especially with the economy situation the way it is today. This was highway robbery. I will not use them again and I am telling all my friends and acquantiances not to go to H&R also.l Again, I just cannot stop thinking about this terrible cost.

Peggy of P0ulaski, TN

Helpful?
yes
no
3/11/09
Well, we went there with all our information. I mean everything because I kept every single receipt we had. I just didn't know what was tax deductible so I kept everything in order, we always used a friend to do our taxes before and we depended on that friend so much that we never really new much about taxes. This year we decided to use H and R block to see if they could help us more by letting us know what is really deductible and what we should do to maximize our returns. My husband also worked in another state and had information there too so I wasn't sure how to do our taxes, so we decided to give H and R block a try.
First that lady really didn't do anything for us, she told us to calculate everything ourselves and then give her the numbers, and the worst part is she didn't tell us anything about taxes. We had some medical expenses that we wanted to know if it was deductible and she couldn't tell us if it was or not. We had so many questions and all she could tell us was that we had to do our own calculations and all she does is enter it in. Huh, she charged us $340.00 and then told me to learn from her and become a tax preparer. FOr $140.00 I could learn from her, wow the nerve of her. She told me that maybe next year I wouldn't have to pay and that I could do it all on my own.
So I went home and went on to turbo tax for the federal tax and entered in all the numbers I calculated myelf, and guess what? Yah, I got the same return for FREE! I may have lost some money in this but I learned a very valuable lesson, NEVER go to that H and R block AGAIN!
Nicole of Las Vegas, NV

Helpful?
yes
no
3/9/09

Their fees are all hidden and they will rip you off. They charged me $500 dollars to file my taxes this year which is outragoues. I had no choice but to agree because he had already did all the work and I needed the money asap due to the economy. Sad how many ppl are being ripped off by these ppl. I and many others will no longer use thier service.
I was depending on my tax refund to pay my rent off which was behind due to the job loses. Now that they ripped me off I was down a few hundred dollars then to top it all of we filed 1-2 day return and didnt see our refund for 3 weeks. This ppl need shut down and all us that got robbed want our money back.
Melanie of Celina, OH

Helpful?
yes
no
3/9/09
H&R Block prepared my taxes, I recieved a loan before my taxes was prepared. On March 6th I recieved my refund I was charged twice for the loan.
Pass due bills which I was going to use the monies.

Kimberly of Princeton, WV

Helpful?
yes
no
3/7/09

I went to do my taxes at this H&R office over at Fort Dix, NJ. I was never told during the whole 5 to 10 minutes tax filling process that it was going to cost me $200 to do my taxes. I am an individual filing alone but married
I don't own a business or a corporation to pay such a ridiculous amount of money. I work hard for my money.
The guy wasn't even confident or sure of some of the things he was doing to charge me $200 dollars and instead of getting money back I owe IRS $800 dollars.
I could have otherwise done it myself, file my taxes, or find someone else, even do it online.
I want my money back or at least part of my money back
This is my 2nd time using H&H block and both times were never pleasant experience.
What is up with this company.
Romeo of Mount Laurel, NJ

Helpful?
yes
no
2/28/09
The same thing as everyone else, filing my taxes first and then saying that This was how much it costs. Luckily I do have an itemized list of their fees that I snatched out of the managers hand. It was not a confidential form of their office, it was MY PERSONAL comparison of fees added on from last year's tax filing to this years, but the manager would not let me look at the items , and the first chance I got I got a hold of the list proceeding to say it made no sense to me... we were told to give back the paper right away and when refused to do so untill I went over every item & fee they had charged, we were asked to leave instantly. can't believe this has been going on and target at low-income people from 2005!! they should be shut down for good.
Samira of Novato, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/24/09
H & R charged fees of 340$ and with the RAL fees the total came out to 420$. when going over fees and comparing with years in the past the fees made no sense. I went in there yesterday & asked for a manager, saying that i wanted to cancel it, we sat at the manager's desk (by this time she's very nervous about me questioning things, I also had a witness with me, kept saying our fees have gone up, not our fault, I commented that in Recession how is it possible that fees would jump by 400% in a matter of only two years? she kept beating around the bush not ever giving me a breakdown of what all the fees were for individually.
annoyed by this my frustration levels when up & I proceeded to tell her that I wanted a copy of ITemized fees for consumers. she went in her computer and clicked on something, nervously saying that she was making prints to compare this years with last years. when printed and brought to the table, This woman would not let me look at the fees directly, trying every way possible to not let me HOLD ON to the papers. this got me more frustrated and I eventually took the paper from her hand very quickly looking at the fees that had added up to 400+ while tellin my witness to get her calculator out of the car as I got up with all the comparison papers she had printed from 3 years of my tax return. She instantly got up and said please give me the papers back and I said NO I want to go over all this, this makes no sense. she got up ANGRY BY THIS TIME and proceeded to say please give them back now, I will explain it for you, just sit down and I'll go over it for you
I said NO and proceeded to look at papers in hand, then she said WELL FINE THEN, be OFF WITH you, I can print more if you won't give them back. then I said yeah you go ahead and do that. she then said well, you got a bigger return this year, which reflects on the fees then my witness got upset by the comment and said yeah, so because she's gotten a bigger refund instead of 2000$ got 4000$ return, this entitles you to a BIGGER CUT? she got very angry at this comment as other clients in the office were looking at us. and very disrespectfully said ok then, bye with you throwing us out of the office. well I left with the papers reflecting fees, and I know any judge would just laugh at it. there are fees for determining status ( who determines my status? them? when I am the one who goes in and says I'm filing head of household nothing has changes from the past 3 years of my filing status) so they're going to come and charge me 25 bucks for that?
it gets worse and funnier as you go down the list of and get the feel of the scam. it's not just one or two things, almost more than half of the list is just made up for the show/computer, so I know after going through every one with a judge he will be on my side, I still have time to cancel the RAL that was never even approved in the first place, but on their disclosure notice it says if and when cancelled within 5 days those fees won't apply, however once filed with the IRS we have signed all rights to the HSBC bank & therefor it will still be directed to them from the IRS in which they will deduct the preperation fees before making it available to me.
This is Insane. These Crooks are ripping people off everyday and consistently doing so in 2009 as I have been reading all complaints, yet they are still in business and continuing to do so? where's the justice, and how come nobody is doing anything? I am going to small claims to file and sue them for this misconduct. please if anyone can help out
I not only wasn't able to get to a very important job interview, but lost a good space I had been on waiting list for my son's school, (they were needing a security deposit which is why I needed the money instantly & willing to take the cut, at the time I filed) there has been long term monetary losses. never will file taxes with these corrupt people
Samira of Novato, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/24/09
They efiled my sister in law's taxes on 02/07/09 she was charged extra for a quick refund which was supposed to take only 1 to 2 days, kind of a loan. The total fee was $455.22, it turns out that she didn't get a check cut until 02/23/09 and they cut her a check for $761.00 less than what the IRS refunded her.
There is several problems with this: 1. Why are they charging 118 dolars to give her the money in 1 to 2 business days when it took 10 business days to cut her a check. 2. She was hit with an additional $20 dollar fee when she picked up the check. 3. There is about 300 dollars that just dissapered and when I went back to the office to ask about this they were rude and insisted everything was fine and tried to get her all confused. I asked for the district manager's information and walked out of there.
This morning she received a call from the branch manager saying she didn't have to go to the district manager to go in and she would give her an additional 180 dollars...that still doesn't make up for all the issues listed above. In conclusion, they provided a very bad service and if it had not been because I decited to review her paperwork they would have charged her almost 700 dollars to prepare taxes for someone with only one w-2.
Hugo of Bensenville, IL

Helpful?
yes
no
2/24/09
I went to H&R block to get help working through the first time home buyer credit for this year. I stupidly did not bother to ask about how much this was going to cost, and they sat down with me and helped me work through the whole tax process, and I thought they were just being nice. At the end I owed them almost 500 dollars. Since I could not pay out of pocket I had them take the money out of the tax return. I was never told that the money goes into their account first, I found out by noticing my routing and account numbers were not on the return.
I also didn't know I had to pay 30 dollars to e-file through them. After all of that, I took the time to work through my taxes on my own, and found that they made a couple of mistakes on my return and I was supposed to get 130 more dollars. They were very circular to deal with and I found that they were not an awful lot of people there who knew what they were talking about. Needless to say I reported that branch to my local Better Business Bureau.
I'm out 500 dollars and needed to file a tax amendment which may tax up to 12 weeks to work out. Fun.
Sarah of Burlington, VT

Helpful?
yes
no
2/23/09
I got my taxes done on 2-2-09 I paid H and R block $372.00 dollars and I picked the option of having my return in 8-15 days. Guess what it has been 18 days and still no refund. So I called them and they gave me the IRS 1-800 number to call because they do not know why my tax return was not deposited on my card yet. They had no refund date or anything to help me. When I called the IRS number they said there was a mistake and they was fixing it. No one wants to take the blame for this.
IRS told me I have to wait another week to get my refund and if it did not come next week I would have to call them again. So what happened to me 8-15 days refund I paid for at H and R block?? They took my money and said it was not their fault. IRS said they was reviewing my tax return for accurancy adn that they was a mistake made so what happened why I am screwed out of $372.00 dollars? H and R block are LIERS and they do NOT stand behind you at all. What can I do to get my $372.00 dollars back from them?
No money and DO NOT KNOW WHEN OR IF I WILL GET MY REFUND and if I even get the correct amount. I have two young children to take care of. I am a single mother.
Leslie of Battle Creek, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
2/21/09
I am completely disappointed in the service I received with H&R Block. My Consultant had to be told SEVERAL times about deductions I wanted to take out on my return, handled my case completely carelessly and flippant and then handed me a bill for $260. Was it worth the headache? Absolutely not. Sadly, up to this point, I had been a return customer of Block. But after this experience, I've told everyone I know what a ripoff this company seems to be. I will NEVER be returning as a client.
Crystal of Shawnee, KS

Helpful?
yes
no
2/21/09
I am a young mother and college student, and recently married. My husband and I have a tight budget, so this tax season I wanted to get all the deductions I could. We took our W-2's and all of our receipts- child care, student loans, tuition paid,etc.-into H&R Block to have them done, thinking it would cost about $180, but at least they would be quick. When I sat down, I gave all my forms to the tax preparer, and she proceded to file our taxes in about 25 minutes.
At the end she said, This is your fee for tax preparation today. I looked at her screen and it said $322!!! I could not BELIEVE it. We only received a $2,000 return, and we are a family of three w/ a combined income of $32,000. Why in the world would they charge so much?! I called the office later with my complaint and they said they now charge for every piece of paper you hand the tax preparer. I brought in those receipts to save money, not to pay some one to look at them. It only takes 2 seconds to enter a dollar amount in a blank. I have never heard of that before.
Well, I had $180 set aside for tax preparation, but ended up tapping into my next two weeks grocery money that should be going to feed my son. It's not right. I live paycheck to paycheck.
Ashley of Fort Gratiot, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
2/21/09
H&R Block is a joke. We went and filed our taxes on 2/02/09. It has been three weeks, and still no money. We had our back taxes checked over, and thought that it was only a $29.00 fee. We then were told that it was $110.00 fee after they had already checked them, and we had to mail them out. So they did our taxes for this year, and our grand total to pay them was $450.00! What? We did the same return last year and only paid $100.00 with another person. So we opted for the 8-15 day return since our fees were already outrageous.
After 15 days had passed, we started calling and asking about our return, and were our money was. They have told us that the IRS was reviewing our return, but I checked the IRS website and it stated that the money was released. Today we recieved an email that our money was direct deposited, but no money is in our account. So today we went to H&R Block, and they said it might take a few more days because they need to take out their fees. So why are they saying that the money has been deposited when it certainly has not?!
I have officially been on the phone for an hour and a half trying to get a hold of a manager, and here I sit still on hold. Does anyone know who I can file a complaint with other then H&R Block? This company is a fraud, and they are liars. I think that they should have to hold up to there promise to have my money within 15 days, for the amount of money we paid out. We have bills that need to be paid, and we were relying on this money in order to pay them, and this company is jerking us around. I will NEVER use H&R Blocks service ever again and I WILL NOT recommend any of their services to anyone!
Behind on bills. Overpaid for a simple tax return.
Tonya of Parker, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/20/09
i've been with H&R Blk for yrs. always go to same individual and felt she was VERY knowlegeable my experience this year was that i got SCAMMED! not her fault but the fault of H&R's new structure this yr. my form was ONLY 3 pages. it cost me approx $45 dollars MORE than in the past and in the past i had 5 pages. and these are the reasons i was given for the EXTRA charge: - my appointment was scheduled during prime time of month. i've NEVER been told there was a prime time of month and my appointments are ALWAYS with the same individual in the same office. SHE calls me & makes my appoint's avail.
this yr i saw her 4 FEB. - I received a FREE $20 discount coupon last yr. i used it. now this yr THEY consider me a NEW CLIENT and charge me an EXTRA $20 because of that even though my last 6 yrs info is ON their computer! - AND i was told that even though i only GOT 3 pages that there were hidden pgs that i was charged for. one was supposedly for my Soc Sec. hey! i've been on soc. sec for 6 (six) YEARS! therefore, IF there is a HIDDEN form, then it should have been in my charges before! one was supposedly because the Gov. allowed us to have a deduction for our Prop. TAXES. (Gov gives me a deduction and H&R Blk charges me for a HIDDEN FORM to get it? something isn't right) well that's my experience.
i was SCAMMED by H&R Blk for approx $45.00. i've been a LONG time customer. but when SCAMMED i don't give ya a second chance! this was WRONG
Earnestine of Palm Bay, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
2/20/09
My taxpreparer Sandy is awesome! It is the charge that is terrible. I had to pay $293.00 to have my taxes done this year and $165.00 last year. I only make under $25,000.00 a year. I feel H&R Block charges way too much especially during the recession.
1/2 my wages paid for tax prep. That in itself causes more issues. Bills wont get paid and food will not be bought.
Cathy of Aitkin, MN

Helpful?
yes
no
2/20/09
i did my taxes with h&r block they stated to me if i paid an additional 13 dollars i could have a rac refund and recieve my state check in 8 to 13 days. they never told me business days but i waited, 13 buisness day past no check i contacted them and now they tell me 15 days i waited once again.
15 days go by still no check. now i call them they give me an 800 number which is usless because the state doesnt give out information on the status of a check untill 30 days upon filling. i call h&r and ask for a refund of my 13 dollars because they lied to me, the receptionist said well that could take up to six weeks. now i am sitting here with no state refund and i will have to fight to get my 13 dollars back. i dont think it is fair when the put something in writing i pay for it and nothing.
i was going to use the money to pay my car payment which is 3 months past due due to econmic hard times i need my car to drive my 3 children to school. now my car will probally be taken away.
Sal of Staten Island, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
2/20/09
Tax Cut offers Simple Pay for tax refunds that are e-filed. They lead me to believe a deposit account would be open to deposit the fee's for filing. The cost of the Tax Cut software and an additional $30.00 for using Simple Pay. The total was $99.00 and I was agreeable to the cost. However, they lead the customer to believe the filing fee is deposited in the H&R block account and the remainder of the refund goes to the customers designated deposit account. That is not how it works!!! I expected my refund today and imagine my surprise when the funds were not there. When I contacted H&R Block they said ALL OF MY REFUND was deposited to their bank and they will deposit the refund (minus their fees) to my dda within 8 - 15 days. Unacceptable!!!
How convenient their H&R Block bank receives all of these tax refunds and draws interest on them until they decide to release the funds. I have used H&R Block to do my taxes for the past five years. This will be my last year with their company and I advise others not to purchase their software.
Beverly of Shelbiana, KY

Helpful?
yes
no
2/20/09
I made $19k last year. I asked them how much they charge. She said it depends on how many forms they use. After 45 minutes my bill was $648.00! I asked them for a Ala Carte menu of the forms and how much they charge for each and they would not give it to me. I paid $648.00! They owe me an itemized bill at the very least! Even if they used every form in their arsenal, it should not have costed $648.00. I could have gone to a CPA for half that. What can I do to get my money back? Or at least knock off $300?
Well for starters I won't have quite enough for my mortage payment. I'll probably start drinking heavily from this experience. I feel extremely upset! $648is a lot of money! I only made $19k last year. I can not afford an attorney. So if you are an attorney that needs to get paid, You will have to get it from H&R Block. I am tapped out...
Scott of Muskegon, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
2/20/09
I had my taxes to be done by HRA this year, because it's free, volunteers help do your taxes. I wasn't sure of the amount I was getting back so I brought my already done tax form to H & R block to have the second look done for $30. They found about $655 due to child care expenses. So they were to file an amended form to get me the $655. I thought wow that's great...but then they told me their fees would total $312. So they basically wanted half my money. What a rip off! I said no. I returned to HRA and they sent in an amended form for me and I didn't have to pay anything. H & R Block really charges you for things you can do yourself or get help doing for free.
No consequences, but they should be investigated. I don't think any of their accountants really are that...they never seem to know what they're doing, always asking others for help. I suggest no one use them, they will over charge you!
Rose of New Britain, CT

Helpful?
yes
no
2/19/09
Two days ago I called our local H and R block office in town. I have had my taxes done with them for some 13 years now, but like many people at this time could not afford to pay all the fees. I thought I remembered a time when they would (for a fee) double check a self prepared return and (for another fee) e file your return. I asked and explained three times to the woman on the phone what services I was looking for and was told yes finally that I could get those services in their office. When I showed up with my paperwork I again explained what I wanted to do. The preparer basically did my return as normal and informed me that yes I had done my return correctly.
At this time we again discussed what I wanted to do, the preparer turned to a woman behind her at another cubical to discuss the proper computer codes and the other woman in the office (I believe it was the manager) said they don't do that and inquired as to who I talked to. Funny thing it was her! Not only did she deni what services she told me they provided she neglected to tell me that I could have efiled my return through their web site at a much lower cost. I will never again do buisness with H and R block nor will I ever recommend to anyone I know to use their services.
My mother had her return done with a local tax office in town and got the same services as me for $100 I on the other hand trying to stay with the company I have always used paid $250. Next time I have any questions about loyalty to a corporate entity I will remember this incident and check loyalty at the door and stick with small buisness. I honestly feel as if H and R block commited fraud and certainly did not inform this once long time and loyal customer of all my options. BEWARE!
Ingrid of Colton, OR

Helpful?
yes
no
2/19/09

Had measly $475.00 tax refund, H&R Block took $30.00 prepare, $195.00 to make sure I had refund in 2 days - never received refund - called every day - once when called they said they would refund all service charges - still no$ - then called again and they said I had $193.50 and it was the IRS' fault and needed to call them...hmm - what was my $200.00 service fees for?
I called them again this evening and they said use your 'Emerald Card' and you will have your $193.00.
I said what about all the service fees you charged me because I needed my $193.00 right away? they said you need to call the IRS, they will explain everything. I thought H&R Block was supposed to be on my side? They are STILL CHARGING ME $200.00 service fees and blaming the IRS - I asked for a refund and they said
No, the IRS is auditing you - I THOUGHT THEY (h&r BLOCK) WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING ME? WHAT THE HELL DID I GIVE THEM $200.00 FOR? THEY WILL NOT REFUND MY $ FOR FILING FOR A 1-2 DAY REFUND -
Kim of Lebanon, MO

Helpful?
yes
no
2/19/09
I went to have my taxes done. Told her my household situation and asked her to figure my taxes both ways to see if I should claim my granddaughter or my daughter should. We were both 50/50 on support. She told me to put her on mine and when they come in if it is more she could just refile mine and let them claim her. Two days later she tells my daughter I would have to file an ammended return and pay more money. I already paid over two hundred dollars. She also said even if I file an ammended return they will have to send their return by mail and they probably wont let them claim her since I already did even though it was ammended.
Supervisor Janet says Nancy tells a different story and she is one of their best agents. She offered to help resolve it as long as we pay more money. I have used them since 2002 at different locations but this location I feel like I got scammed.
We are out alot more money and have to wait a much longer time to recieve a refund because of withheld information.
Donna of Keller, TX

Helpful?
yes
no
2/18/09
I was under a time crunch after losing my job and had to go to Buffalo from Brooklyn to gt a couple of my w2's. When I did my taxes last year it was 57.00 and took less than two weeks. I didn't know where to go in short notice back in Brooklyn and for some unbeknown reason to me, everyone says go to HR.

Well let me tell you after not being briefed on a single price and assuming that all taxes cost the same unless you own a business or have billions of dollars I learned that making under 20g a year and doing everything the same I did last year this woman pulled out more forms that I could fathom and in the end it totaled 238.00 TO FILE! I said, how on earth and she kinda squimed, I didn't have time, I had to move and make a down payment at the end of the month... So I say whatever... If I wait I will be homeless just do direct deposit, oh ANOTHER 30.00!?
Awesome... so it costs money to do something for free. Aparently she said it goes through another bank account and that's their fee. So you have a loop hole now where they for no reason can take more money, great.

All in all, it's been over two weeks and cost me about 267.00.
I looked over my papers, it's a joke. I will never use them again, poor upfront communication, false pretense, rediculous charges and no way to call, contact, complain, follow up with a horrible customer service. I feel bad after the whole experience and broke.
Lea of Brooklyn, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
2/17/09
On February 10, 2009 my boyfriend and I had our taxes done. Both of us did the short forms as our income was not enough to do the long form. I am retired but did earn some extra income other than my social security which came to an income for 2008 of $10,453. I was shocked when I was charged $143 to have my taxes done and another $29 fee since I was not able to pay for tax preparation up front. My boyfriend is disabled and his income for 2008 was $8,036 and was also shocked that he was charged $188. He does not receive any money back as he owes the IRS and state for back taxes, so he went more in the hole.

At least I receive some money back for federal and state, however, it would have been much better to have lower fees to charged to me so that my return would be much better. We attempted to get the fees lowered due to our income states but nothing happened. We had our taxes done in 2007 for the years of(2006 and 2007) and felt the fees were a little higher than we expected but went ahead with the process. Since the computer calculates all the information inputed by the tax preparer, how can they charge these outrageous fees.

For 2009 I do not intend to go back to H&R Block as my only income will be my social security and will not need to file Federal taxes (according to what I was told). My boyfriend will not be back also and will be going to get his taxes done by the IRS (which I understand is free). I do not understand why the fees are not disclosed to the consumer before they are prepared......I am under the impression that most other tax services give you the rates up front. We know we will never go back to H&R Block. A verbal complaint has been made to the location where the taxes were performed, however, we do not expect any further response. We went to H&R Block as I know the tax preparer personally and entrusted him to be fair this year with the rates charged.......boy was I ever wrong. I feel also that all the stupid constant H&R Block advertising on TV is something that I paid for in my fees charged.
Alason of Indianapolis, IN

Helpful?
yes
no
2/16/09
My son is on active duty with the US Army and is currently based at Ft. Bliss, TX. He was just charged an extra $75.00 fee at the on base office of H & R Block to file his tax return in CA. They also charged him $40.00 to process the federal tax EZform.
His military pay is so low that he would qualify for food stamps if he weren't in the military! This extra fee is outrageous and unfair.
Joan of Fortuna, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/14/09
I often do my taxes online free. Last year H&R Block lured me back with a great coupon for 50% of tax preperation. Grand total 50 dollars.I had such a positive experiance I went ahead and made this years appointment with the same preparer. I was concerned since I did not get the same coupon offered to me this year I asked ahead of time how much they charge. I told the lady I can do my own taxes at home for free. I was told the flat fee is 77.oo dollars and forms needed will increase the base amount.
Confident that my taxes would be the same as last year I went ahead with the appointment. I can do the math 100 to 150.00 dollars max right? Wrong. Same place same forms this year cost a grand total of 229.00! I will never return I told this lady that I was NOT happy and I would NOT return. She didn't care!
Jenny of Springfield, MO

Helpful?
yes
no
2/14/09
Went to H&R and they wanted to know how much stimulas money I got. I told them; they put it aside and said the IRS wants to know how much everyone got and if they were intitled to get more. The Money amount I told them was explained that I would get it back in about two weeks well I got my taxes done on January 30, 2008 and it is now Feburary 14,2009; Where is it at? I also told them I would take a paper check through the mail to avoid the $9.21 charge for my State refund; well I got charged anyways.
I have been going to H&R for a few years; but NOT anymore. This is the LAST year I will be taken advantage of. Also, I made twice as much money this year; but the refund didn't seem to balance. I was told if any errors where found they would fix it and my refund would be corrected. You just can't trust people no more; even with a well known name.
Robin of Grand Ledge, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
2/14/09
This is in response to the many who have had a bad experience with H&R Block...those tax Professionals are you and me not some college graduate who has a background in bookeeping or numbers, their training is lackluster at best and what you is not what you paid for they are trained to sell you product at any cost, pay your $143 and you too could become a Block employee....no background checks no employer references checked just pay and become a Tax Pro!
Susan of Raynham, MA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/14/09

I had received a coupon from them to get $50.00 off my taxes when they were preparied so I went back had them done got home realized that this amount didn show on my paper work so I called she said she would take care of it when i received my refund back the money still was not added back in so i called them she told me they only thing they could do is give me 50.00 off my taxes the following year. I do not agree with this cause I do not know that I will use them the following year so I think this is totally unfair to give out the coupons then not honor them.
Sandra of Romney, WV

Helpful?
yes
no
2/13/09
Years ago, when I first graduated from college and had my first job, I went to H & R Block for my income taxes becuase they advertised a very low cost for a tax return where there were no itemized deductions. When I finished my interview, I was charged considerably more than the advertised price. When I questioned this, I was told that it had taken time to determine that no deductions would need to be itemized. I never went back to H & R Block because I decided that they had no integrity.
I registerd this complaint today after reading what others had written intheir complaints. I just wanted to back up their allegations with mine.
Dee of Toluca Lake, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/11/09
2-02-09 I went to H R BLOCK to have my taxes done for $250+ dollars. I paid additional fees for the rapid refund and more fees for the check vs. the emerald card. No check. same message as everyone else. Very upset
I'm in the worst situation. I'm a single mother, going to school and just got my hours cut from 30 hours a week to 20. And it may not seem as much, but when your a waitress, it effects you big time. My car has wear and tear and was looking forward to maintenace since it is the only means of transportation with my son and I. I am losing focus on school with all the anxiety of catching up on my bills since last year it was such a breeze to collect. (thats probably since I didnt use H R BLOCK last year). I was sucked in by their commercial for coming in early for a cash advance of up to $1,000 dollars. But when i arrive i only got $350. but $50 was taking out by fees. AAAARRRGGHH
Melanie of Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/11/09
We went to a local branch on saturday february 7th at 7 pm, normally tax prep has taken us an hour tops, nothing changed, actually had less w-2 forms than any year previous, should be easier...one would think. After HELPING their TAX PROFESSIONAL figure out several of the forms, and getting a total refund amount I left the branch dissatisfied because i had figured my taxes to be $1000 more just before arriving there, thats BEFORE their fees,
went home spent 35 minutes using THEIR own software online, had completed everything, found their mistakes, then went back simply because of an emerald card advance that my wife and i had taken out. file the taxes after explaining the errors to 2 TAX PROFESSIONALS, and they finally got what i came up with to the dollar, did a RAL for 1-2 days, after 2 days no word on a check, no word on being denied, when calling the branch they couldnt tell me anything at all with the exception that it might be in tomorrow.
tax prep and RAL cost me 257 dollars AFTER I HAD TO TEACH THEM THE RIGHT WAY TO DEAL WITH HSA ACCOUNTS. Missed out on a minimum of 2 days of required overtime at my job to pick up my check, possible consequences still to come for that and was told that if my RAL check wasnt in today, that they couldnt authorize a refund of the fees associated with an offer of a ral that i didnt get in the 1-2 days they guarenteed,
I plan on going in towards close of the branch tonight will end up probably kicked out of the office knowing my luck and their intelligence levels, my wife and i WILL NEVER EVER RETURN THERE nor will any friends if i have any say so in the matter, was just rediculous service and fees, could have filed online for 20 dollars total and had my money just as fast as it seems, saving me 237 in fees, AND able to work my overtime
Philip of Anderson, IN

Helpful?
yes
no
2/10/09
I was robbed of my own money. I will call the Attorney General on this. I will not stop complaining. I paid 500.00 dollar to get my taxes done. Yes, pick up your mouth off the floor. I made under $40,000 and I just bought a home and I donated under $4,000 to the church. H & R Block nickled and dimed me to death. I asked Bruce (the rip off tax consultant) for a list of how they charged, he just showed me on the computer. I told him I wanted a print off. I want proof of how I was ROBBED of MY money. I will be calling several people to see what H & R Block doing to us. BEWARE: Ask for a Billing Calculation.
Helen of Indianapolis, IN

Helpful?
yes
no
2/8/09

We went to have our taxes done at HR block, simple fedaral and state return, we spent 2 and 1/2 hours there towards the end when we wanted to look into any deductions for mileage and misc. things we were then informed that those forms were an additional cost and hadent been told that we were allready up to 334.00. When I called to set up the appt. I was told it typically costs between 100-200 dollars. We got less back than the year before and charged way more than EVER! Then informed that the stimulas package from last year is deducted off of your taxes this year, its was more or less just a loan. We are absolutely discuted with HR block and will never ever go back. Total RIP OFF, They should inform you as you are doing your taxes as to the cost and what you may have to pay so you can RUN for your life.
Go to the little tax people, (mom and pop) who charge a flat rate and dont take 2 hours of your life and your money. Then the receptionist when we called for the number to the district office told us she was new and didnt know that info and wouldnt get it for us, and if we werent happy with her we could file a complaint against her. She was RUDE!!!!
Brian of Valencia, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/7/09

I filed my taxes on theh 23rd of January, and opted to do the 8-15 days. The IRS reported that my taxes were deposited on February 6. However, my bank doesn't show it. I called HR Block, they gave me some excuse that they received an email stating they were not able to cut the checks because the IRS was overloaded with returns. She told me to check my bank account after 5. So I did and then called them back. I told her I paid to have the money there in 8-15 days and the 7th would be 15 days. She said that HR Block is not responsible for delays from the IRS. She told me to call back Monday, I might be able to get my fees reduced...

Kimberly of Topeka, KS

Helpful?
yes
no
2/7/09
I went to H & R block were I have gone for the last 4 years. I was charged 208.00 for them to do my taxes. I had nothing special done. I was charged 130.00 extra because they filed my earned income credit for my children. this is normal paper work that is done at any other tax office. And were I should have been charged there start rate of 70.00 which is what every other tax office does for the eic form I was charged an extra 130.00. It will be the last time I use H & R block, And I have also informed all my friends and family so they are not overcharged too.
Mellisa of Bethel Springs, TN

Helpful?
yes
no
2/6/09
On 2/4/08 My husband and I went into the H & R block to file our taxes together for the first time. Both my husband and I had two set of W2's and one 1099. The lady that helped was nice but she couldnt help us get any deductions. We only end up getting back 293.00 from federal and 101.00 state. Then on top of that they charged us 278.00 for preparing our taxes. I nearly had a heart attack when i signed the check. I AM SO UPSET WITH H & R BLOCK. I WILL NEVER GO THERE EVER AGAIN. They just like to rip people off. I felt taken advantage of.
Sabrina of Ramona, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/5/09
Today, February 4, I went in to get my taxes done and it was a bit different from past years as I've gone to the same place for the past 5 to 7 years. I told the woman accountant that I was poor and that I thought I might do it myself for less on-line but she consulted with her associate and they assured me it wouldn't be more than $130- 140. More than I'd like but worth the hassle of not doing it myself. The end total was $248. Wow. I objected and the woman objected to my objections but I wouldn't be put off so she spoke to her manager, came back and said there's nothing we can do.
That's a standard sales technique, go to your boss and pretend it's out of your hands. I asked to speak to the boss, got the reply, OK if she's not too busy and she came right out and gave me the same routine, It's not us, it's the company, etc I objected and told her no, I asked for an estimate and was told 130 -140. She said there's nothing she could do. I refused to pay and walked out. I told them I'd had sales training and a lot of the techniques they used on me were standard lousy-style techniques.
Theses 3 women gave me a low-ball figure, they consulted with each other, they rapid-talked me, they went to the boss, they denied my version of events and confirmed their story with each other using leading questions. The accountant even told me I was getting a little more than last year which wasn't true. They pretend to be your friend, they get you nodding and saying yes, they push for extra services, they don't tell you about the hidden charges, they give you a lowball estimate as if it was brain-surgery instead of standard forms then hit you with the figure and hope you don't have the time or courage to say no. They've always used sales technique but this year, they were much worse, no doubt due to online competition.
It wasted my time. I said I'm not paying this and walked out. I never wait until April so I have the luxury of some time to figure out how to do it on my own which is in my best interests anyway.
David of New York, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
2/5/09
I have used H&R Block for the past 3 years. I have always gotten a decent tax refund in a timely manner. Last year, we had 6 W-2s from 2 different states. This make for a fairly difficult return. We went to an H&R in the Pittsburgh area. It took this gentleman 6 hours to finish our return! We paid 130 dollars and decided that this year we would go to a different location. Well, we saw on television that you could now go to their website and chose your tax preparer based on their qualifications. And so, we did this and were sent to a different office than last year (right up the road).
When we got there, he noticed that he had been to a different office last year and then we gave him our 4 simple W-2s ALL from PA! Not difficult! Not only did it take him FOREVER but when we were finished he told us that we owed $323!! This was after our $38 in coupons had already been taken out! When we seemed shocked he explained to us that this was a specialty H&R Block location and that they are the most expensive in the city because they handle a lot of big business in the area. Now, shouldn't he have told us his BEFORE completing our return! There are 5 H&R Blocks within 6 miles of my home! If the website had told me this office would be more expensive or if our tax preparer had told us this ahead of time... I would have gone somewhere else! We were completely taken advantage of and now had no choice but to pay, in order to have our return direct deposited into our account within the 6-18 days.
We just had a baby and really needed this return. After having our check electronically take $323 out of checking account right then and there, we left the office very upset. I immediately called the 1-800 number listed in our paperwork. I waited on hold for over 40 minutes before speaking to a customer service rep. We were in the middle of filing my complaint and I was diconnected. I tried calling 5 more times over the next few days and each time I was diconnected each time I was placed on hold in order for them to check if my original complaint had been filed or deleted after I was disconnected. Each time I wondered, why don't they just call me back?
I finally called the office we had our taxes prepared in. I was told that I would have to speak to the manager and she was not in. So I asked for the district office's phone number and was told that only the office manager could give that out. They next morning the same girl I had spoken to called me back and said that she needed to apologize for her office manager but she had an appointment first thing that morning and could not call herself. She wanted to pass along the message that I would have to call the 1-800 number. Well, that obviously does not work.
When I complained and told this young woman of the many times my call was dropped she told me that she would have the office manager call me back after her 11:00 appointment. Five hours later, no phone call. I became frustrated because while in this attempt to get some of my money back, I was only running my cel phone bill up the wall being on hold constantly between this particular office and the 1-800 number that would take 30-40 min to speak to someone only to be disconnected! But, I decided to try one more time.
I called the 1-800 number and AS SOON as a customer service rep came to the phone I told her that I keep getting disconnected. She said that they had been having problems with the system. I asked her if she could call me back if it happened again and I was told that their phones do not dial out. RIDICULOUS! Luckily, my call was not dropped this time. My complaint was filed and I was given a confirmation number. I was told someone would contact me in 6 days.
As of now, I am still waiting for my return to be deposited into my account. I knew this would take some time, but what I wasn't counting on was having to give the H&R office what I had left in my checking account just to file a few silly W-2's. We have a brand new baby and I am having to put his formula and diapers on an emergency credit cards because I have no money until I get our return.
Kellie of Wexford, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/4/09
I filed my taxes of 07-08 at the same H&R Block. In 07, my refund was only $120, my H&R Block fee was $65 leaving me with $55. If that wasn't bad enough, they trick me into paying $60 for the Peace of Mind Plan(meaning if you owe any money they back you up with $5000 to take care of it). Okay, so once again I'm back for 08 and learn I owe money, therefore my stimulance check from 07 is on hold. No one could tell me why I owe money and the Peace of Mind plan expired in 2007, so what I owe must be taken from my refund.
I asked her when did me owing money show up, and I was told sometime in 2007. Since I had to pay for that, I asked for my $60 refund back toward the POM plan. I can't get a refund b/c I should of asked for it within 7 days of purchase. Seven days is not enough time for me to see if I owe anything, so why would I ask for a refund that soon, what a GREAT scam! This year my refund is $553 minus my H&R Block fee: $111.00 Bank fee: $30.00 (Suntrust) I owe: $155.00 leaving me with $257, and if I'm lucky maybe 2 stimulance checks, b/c they owe me money! All that said, I will NEVER step another foot in their office for as long as I live.
My money is on my card and I need 2 new front tires on my car. I get to the tire shop and each tire is $100. The man puts both tires on & it's time to pay, my card DECLINED & he had to put my old tires back on, so humiliating!
Lindsey of Norcross, GA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/4/09
I went to H&R Block on January 24th, 2009 to have my taxes prepared. I am a single mother. My tax preparation was a fairly simple one in that it was only basic Head of Household, EIC, and credit for child care with (2) W-2s. I would have done the prep myself had I not anticipated the need for a faster return. I was astounded to learn that H&R Blocks' fee for JUST the prep was $255.
Although I was a bit discouraged with that amount it could not be refuted at that time because the return had already been prepared. What I was NOT ready for was the fee had I chosen to get my return in 1-3 days (which is what I had initially wanted .. hence the reason I went to H&R Block in the first place). Had I chosen that option my return would have been REDUCED by nearly $1300! $255 for H&R Block and $1045 to God only knows where else. I was floored to see that option on the screen.
Needless to say, as much as I could have used the money immediately, I choose the 8-15 day option paying only $255 and I'm still waiting for my refund. I will not use H&R Block again for any tax needs.
Heather of Chambersburg, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/3/09
Went to do my taxes. Have 4 children, and always used H&R block in the past. Usually, the total bill comes to ~$120. Previous years info was not found. Spent over 1hr with the preparer. Bill this year came to over $400! There were some changes, bought a house, borrowed from 401k etc. When I looked at the fee breakdown, they charged a fee for every child, charged a $40 fee for a $30 credit and really nickle and dimed me. I did not want any type of loan or advance, this was strictly a preperation fee.
Joe of Anywhereville, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
2/2/09
I went into H&R Bock to have my taxes done. HUGE mistake. $385 it cost me, s single mother of 2. Even my tax preparer was surprised at the amount it cost. I was frustrated watching her and had to fix her mistakes as we went along. I even joked I should get a discount for as many times as I had to help her out! When I was able to move after the shock of finding out how much I had to pay (convienent how they can't tell you how much it is until the end) I asked how I needed to pay - she informed me that they just take it out of the refund. I only found out that this cost me $29 extrawhen I spoke with the manager the next day. I had the money to pay with a check.
Another girl that had worked the night before said well it was on the screen. I found it interesting that the manager grabbed her arm tightly to keep her quiet. I had gone in there that day to find out if my money had been deposited as I had called the number on the card all day and had been hung up on EVERY time. She gave me another number to call and that would tell me if things had been deposited. When I called it said that the money had been placed on my card and that it was ready to use. As a surprise I took my kids out to dinner, something that we had not been able to do for a long time. It turned out to be a humiliating night as they came back and told me my card had been denied. I was so embarassed. I can't go back there. It is a small place. I am a case manager and a couple of clients were sitting at the next table. Talk about a hit to my credability.
Luckily I was able to scrape the cash together. I had only gone in to H&R Block as I was really in need of the money as my W2 from a former employer came late in the month. My preparer even said thaqt it would have been cheaper and easier to take out a home equity loan given that I had to sign more things than I did when I bought my house. When I finally did get in touch with the number on the card they said that yes, it does say that the money was deposited but that there was a hold up on behalf of H&R Block and that it will not be avaiable until 3:00 eastern time. It had better!! My only satisfaction is that I am a case manager working with people and help them find places to get things done-like taxes and have already been able to share my experiences with 5 families who were planning on going to H&R Block - in addition to the computer guy that helped me with my wireless issues.
Well, the $385 was a lot of money on a single income. I can't go back to the restaurant - too embarrassed, especially in front of my kids. Loss of credibility with clients. Lots of time lost in trying to get someone to speak with me. The $29.00 charge I paid extra to have them take out of my refund when i could have paid with a check
Kimberly of Zeeland, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
1/31/09
went to H&R Block forked over a small fortune. was told i would receive my refund in 1 to 2 days still not there. Come to find out i was denied. HSBC approved me for their credit card but denied my refund loan something isnt rite......
NOW I WENT OUT SPENT EXTRA MONEY THAT I REALLY DO NOT HAVE NOW RENT IS DUE IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS... THANKS H&R BLOCK ATLEAST U GOT YOUR MONEY RITE!!!!
Steve of Westland, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
1/30/09
My Husband and I went and filed our taxes Early so they would be electronicly filed right on the 16th and filed for the rapid refund, my Husband was laid off this winter and we are 2 months behind on our rent and needed that money Urgently! We didnt qualify for the rapid refund and were not told why but a week and a half later the IRS said they had already deposited our refund to H&R Block and H&R Block automated number said our card was ready to use but, when I went to use it there was NO BALANCE on our card!!!!!!! I called the office and the receptionist said there NO ONE there that could help me and she was very rude and couldnt care less that I couldnt pay my rent. I guess $327.00 in fees to do my taxes isnt enough to care about their clients! I will never use H&R Block EVER again!
Still have no answers and still have no way to pay my rent after I told my landlord I could pay it today because that's what the phone rcording told me when I called the automated number!!!!!
Louis of Rocklin, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
1/30/09
I filled out a class action law suit back around September for all the money back from H&R Block over the years and still haven't heard anything yet or gotten a check in the mail. Could you please advise me who to contact regarding the status of my refund. I always filed as head of household or single so it was just me who would receive money. Money is very important to me and I waited for it. I had just started Concord Law School when I filled out the form and sent it in. I'm 50 years old.
Deborah of Media, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
1/28/09
This is the first time i have used H&R Block. I was filing an EZ form. Single mom with one dependant. Daycare deduction only. The elderly man i delt with was well spoken but had no idea how to process taxes on a computer. The manager ended up over his shoulder for the last half of the ordeal. They argued politly thru the whole mess which lasted over 2 hrs.!!! I was at the point of tears. And the pressure to get the Emerald card was insane. They told me I would have my money in a few days.
Then they called me on Sunday to return to their office to re-enter my secret code so they could try to re-send it because it didn't go through the first time. It would be another few days they said. I recieved a call on my cell during work saying i was denied due some kind of credit issues. They gave me a number to call which turned out to be a recording. Upon contacting H&R again they said there was no number to call to get a live person or additional assistance in this matter.
And that they would be keeping my @$300 and I would have to wait for the IRS to send THEM a check for my refund to pickup. This is a Charade. It is a scam. It's robbery.
Had to call to make arrangments to postpone paying bills. Had to go without enough food for my family. Had to reschedule medical appts. Had to go without medication. Am considering selling some of my belongings.
Wendy of Vancouver, WA

Helpful?
yes
no
1/25/09
When I went to H&R Block I was greeted by Lisa who was very nice and seemed to know what she was talking about, but in all truth she didn't know anything about taxes. I went in with 2 W-2s, 1099-G, and 2 1099-Div. She then started to do my taxes and in a matter of an hour she was done and I was lucky enough to receive a large refund of $1259 which is a sizeable chunk for a college student.

After the refund then everything seemed to go downhill from there. My fees which I was quoted for somewhere in the range of 250 which seemed pretty reasonable. I knew I could get them done cheaper somewhere else but H&R Block I've been with since 16. Come to the end after finding out what my refund was my fees magically jumped to 558 dollars!!!! I asked how they could jump over 100% but she said that it was to do with all the complex forms and the schedules. I agreed but somehow knew they overcharged me but then I didn't know much about taxes and took her word for it. They were the "professionals" and I wasn't.

Then later I come to find in the mail that the IRS was sending me "love letters" aka audit letters saying that I owed them $3600 now. I overpaid to have my taxes done and now I owed money which completely screwed up my day. I called H&R Block so see what happened and got hung up on repeatetely and was called a liar and a cheat while accusing me that I gave them the wrong information. They had the documents and somehow I was the screwup.

Tired of pulling out my hair I drove to Jackson Hewitt where they said they would look at it for FREE and see what they could do. They said that Lisa didn't put anything in correctly. To sum up what they said is that I could write off my gambling up to the amount of my winnings, put the correct amount of income(13000 to the 1300 they put in) and actually did other deductions that Lisa didn't even ask me about. I was able to write off my tution, books, and other expenses. After Walter(The Jackson Hewitt person) fixed my return and sent an amended on in I was to receive about $3200 refund instead of owing. From now on I will always go to Jackson Hewitt and now I get their Gold Gaurantee that if they screw up they will give me up to $5000 if it's their fault.
Justin of Yucca Valley, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
1/10/09
FILED TAXES 2006 Got the refund anticipation loan after all the fees were deducted and they gave our papers back, about 2-3 months later we get a bill for $36.00. They claimed we still owed the fee for the loan which had been paid upfront out of the loan the day we got it.After several calls they then said the preparer had forgotten something & we still owed the difference of $36. we disputed it since we had already paid out of the refund & the anticipation loan. They still are saying we owe it after 2 years disputing it. I would NEVER refer anyone to them I think they are crooked and the preparer was trying to get extra money for something which we never were explained what it was. Tax preparers don't return your paperwork if you still owe them. We feel cheated
Bobby of Overland, MO

Helpful?
yes
no
1/9/09
I have been a customer for at least 40 years. I have no problem with services, but why are discounts only offered to new customers and not to past loyal customers? Other than phone I know o fno other way to file my complaint. Rising cost of fees.
William of Apalachin, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
1/6/09
I went to h@r block last year and got the emerald advance then went back with my w2 on feb 1st. I was told I would get my money in 1-2 days. I put a deposit on a car I was going to purchase. My money did not show up for 2 weeks. I could of done my own taxes and waited weeks for free. H@R block charged me something like 300. They lied saying it would be 1-2 days. They refused to refund my preparation fees.

Nikki of Manteca, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
1/5/09
Each year, H&R Block has offered a Holiday Loan in November and December which is paid back by withdrawing what you owed on the loan from your tax return the following spring. For five years we have participated in this Holiday Loan and remained with H&R Block BECAUSE the loan has helped us out so much in the holiday season. Without fault, we have paid this money back all five years. We are aware of the fact that if we wanted to avoid paying this money back, we could have easily had our taxes prepared by a private source who would not take out the loan money. By doing this, we could have avoided continuing paying $450 dollars to H&R Block each tax season. We NEVER would have done such a thing and thus, have continued doing business with the Block and paying UNGODLY charges to do the simple paperwork.
This year, the loan was set to begin on November 20th, my only child's 12th birthday. We made the FIRST appointment available and arrived at the Block fifteen minutes early. On arrival, we were asked if we met the following criteria: pay stubs showing at least $10,000 in earnings for the year. Valid photo ID Well we obviously met the criteria, and have ALL five years. It's usually a fairly breezy process; in and out in about twenty minutes. This year was different to say the least. After the paperwork was filled out, our estimated refund for 2008 was quoted at 3,800 dollars. The holiday advance is for one thousand.
Paperwork was electronically submitted and then NOT APPROVED. Why? Who knows, no one has yet even taken the time to answer this question for me. We were given a phone number (loosely used) and told by calling the number we would be given a reason why this did not go through. The tax preparer claimed to be shocked and stated WOW, you guys have been approved every year! I've never heard of such a thing!
When we called this 800 number to get some answers we discovered quickly that this is a generic number that is a pre-recorded message basically saying you weren't approved, you'll find out why when we send you something in 6-8 weeks. The number then hangs up on you with no option to speak to anyone.
Consequently, our daughter received NOTHING from us on her twelfth birthday. I am not an ignorant person and never rely on something that is not for SURE but FIVE STRAIGHT YEARS WAS FOR SURE! We trusted H&R Block, we have been loyal. SHAME ON US.
Brandi of Watertown, NY

Helpful?
yes
no
11/21/08
My taxes for 2006 costed me $272 to get done by H&R Block. I went back the following year, on March 25, 2008, to get my taxes for 2007 done. I went to the same person and she did the same thing and then surprised me with a $107 inflation fee for a total of $379! As I wrote out the check I let her know of my displeasure about the overly priced service and she gave me some spew off about why it was so much higher but I don't remember anymore. She scanned the check in her little machine, wrote VOID in big bold letters on it, and handed it back to me. She told me she didn't need the check and the scanner machine thing took care of it.
So I put the check in my pocket and left... very upset of course. Come August I get a letter in the mail from my county prosecuting attorney stating that I was being charged with a crime and I would need to get an attorney for court, take financial management classes and pay nearly $600. I called the number on the letter to see what the deal was. Apparantly, H&R Block's little scanner machine didn't work right and it never took their money. So instead of contacting me about it they waited a couple months and then submitted a false claim against me with my county prosecuting attorney stating that I wrote a fraudulant check to H&R Block.
After two months of fighting back and forth with the Prosecuting Attorney replying to threatening letters, calling them, etc. I finally got the P.A. to realize that I have never wrote a fraudulant check and sent them a letter from my bank stating so with the check number and account number. My bank stated that the account of the issued check is valid and has never had a NSF hit in the past 2 years.
However, now the P.A. wants me to pay an additional $35 fee on top of the $379. This is not fair. Not only was I treated like a criminal for H&R Block's false claims against me, I was in distress for 2 months trying to get this mess worked out so I didn't have to pay $600 in fees, take a financial management class which who knows how much that would have costed, and mainly not have to worry about going to jail! This company, H&R Block, should not be able to get away with this.
Chet of Utica, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
11/4/08
I wish to be a part of the class action lawsuit against H&R Block that I received a claim form via US mail.
they charged exuberant amount of money to e-file my tax returns for several years until I found I could e-file myself for free.
Nanette of Harrisburg, PA

Helpful?
yes
no
10/10/08
I was and still am being told that I owe money for services that I never had since I never used h&r because of what I was told by a person that took the shady course that left room for irs not to audit with a service fee to back u up in case of court. I am 69 and was told it was me and nothing I said was ok, even when I called corporate I was asked for my social so she could look up my file and when I said I am not in your system she insisted I give my social and she would look at my case.I get calls each weed with a recording for me to call a toll free number and get no where again.
I am upset being told I am who they wish me to be and this is very upsetting for some one age 69 being called a liar.
William of Memphis, TN

Helpful?
yes
no
8/13/08
I had my taxes done. I was given a coupon for $15. All I have to do is to refer a friend and we would both get $15 each. My friend had Lana do his taxes too. (which were all messed up). To this date we have not received the $30. I have called, left messages which went unreturned.
I called their customer service, and was told they dont handle the coupons and HR Block corporate would call me within 48 hours. This was 4-5 days ago. I know it's not much in dollar sense, but its the honesty. I feel cheated. I will call them again. I too am a consumer advocate. I only want what is right.
Michelle of Modesto, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
8/9/08
I had my taxes done. I was given a coupon for $15. All I have to do is to refer a friend and we would both get $15 each. My friend had Lana do his taxes too. (which were all messed up). To this date we have not received the $30. I have called, left messages which went unreturned. I called their customer service # 800-, and was told they dont handle the coupons and HR Block corporate would call me within 48 hours. This was 4-5 days ago. I know it's not much in dollar sense, but its the honesty. I feel cheated. I will call them again. I too am a consumer advocate. I only want what is right.
Michelle of Modesto, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
8/9/08
I filed my 2006 and 2007 Taxes Jiontly with my wife and I just recieved my 2007 return for $ 1,946.00 about a week ago However I am having issues with my 2006 and I was just informed by the IRB office that I owe them over $ 7,000.00 because of a problem with our withholding taxes are not applied in the US but instead in the US Virgin Islands
H & R Block was explained in both 2006 -07 that I am a retired Govt. employee of the Virgin Islands ( St.Thomas ) and that my wife works with a company from the V.I. but with a Boca Raton FL. address In both 2006-07 we were supose to get refunded but instead we have problems and I have left two or three messages with H & R Block and noone has replied H & R Block was payed for services.
We migth have to pay amount that are in reason and I have submitted my taxes filed by H & bR Block to FAFSA for my sons finances and all the filing is incorrect and my wife and me are very frustrated and just want to end this ordeal. In my past 23 years I never had problems until I filed my last 2 years with H&R Block
Rafael of Delray Beach, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
6/11/08
I contact my local H&R Block office to file my taxes. I call ahead to make sure it won't be too expensive. The woman I speak with informs me that the costs depend on how sophisticated and involved my return is. I explain that I have two W-2s from my two jobs in 2007, and she tells me that my fee will be $80. Great. I arrive on time for my scheduled meeting.
After an hour, my presence is acknowledged and the same woman I spoke with earlier on the phone finally sits down to help me. She has no idea what she's doing. She is fumbling through screens, getting error messages, yelling across the room to her more seasoned co-worker to ask questions, unable to answer any of my rudimentary questions about my return, and generally gives me the impression that this is her first day on the job and that I should feel zero confidence that my return is being filed correctly. After an hour of this, I finally get the number I owe to the government...and to H&R Block.
That will be $355, she says. She must be kidding me. I remind her that I called earlier that day and of the price she quoted me. She feels badly, so calls someone, who agrees to let her give me $45 off of my $355 total. I tell her what I think of her service and her attempt to atone for it. I leave scathing mad. I call the 1-800 number to file a complaint. They tell me someone will contact me. No one does. I got people? That's true, I do - they're incompetent, manipulative, and the shadiest business I've ever had the displeasure of patronizing.
Tyrone of Chicago, IL

Helpful?
yes
no
5/6/08
i took my tax materials to company, h&r block. they did not inform me of their rates. i also did not ask. the accountant tax advisor did my taxes. when finished she presented me with a bill for $694. i was shocked but thought i must be obligated to pay. i had no idea taxes could be so much to have done - it was my first time. i did have an estate due to a trust my father left me that i have no access to funds from yet. i understand that taxes with estate trusts are complicated to prepare.
However, i later found out private accountant can do them for as little as $300! i had no refund on my taxes, although i had almost no income (below the minimum for being taxed and even having to file !) i could not receive the tax rebate offered for 2007 by the IRS, according to my accountant there.
i had to pay this high fee on top of having almost no income. it was quite difficult for me. needless to say, i am in debt now as i had to put it on my credit card with other debt. is there anything i can do? are there any fee guidelines or can anyone charge anything without informing in advance of performing services?
Mari of Los Angeles, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
5/4/08
They did our taxes & because we had a 1099,they charged us $485.00 to do them .I felt that this was too much,so I called the I.R.S.& was informed that they did charge too much.What am I suppose to do?We really needed that money.I have heard that they have overcharged a lot of people.They need to be made to refund part of their fees.
Because of the huge fee,we were not able to pay the billswe had planned to pay.I just wish someone could help.
Cynthia of Gaffney, SC

Helpful?
yes
no
4/22/08
H&R Block Bait and Switch: I went to H&R Block to have my federal and state returns completed. At the initial interview, I asked how much it would cost and was told it would be about $200 due to the complexity of the forms. I agreed to this cost and gave the preparer my information. The preparer was apparently not qualified to handle one of my state returns, and told me that my return would be completed by someone else; so she would contact me when they were complete. After two weeks, I had yet to hear from H&R Block, so I called. I found that nothing had been done with my return. My preparer claimed it was because additional information was needed, and requested I come back in. I did, more because I thought the only way they would finish would be for me to watch them do it. I did not provide any additional information, and the federal return was completed at that time, although the state returns still had to be prepared by someone else. At the end of this session, I was asked to pay $337, an increase of 70% of the price I was quoted. I was told the increase was due to having state returns and owing a balance on my federal return.
Since they had all my forms, I paid; but within an hour, feeling that the difference between quoted and actual price was too much, I called back to cancel. I was told it was too late because they had filed the federal return already. Separately, they have signs around the store saying that they will give you a $25 check if they do not tell you about their refer-a-friend program during the initial tax preparation visit. My tax preparer did not, so I asked about this. She told me you had to ask when you paid, in contradiction to the advertisement. At my last visit, no one had told me about the send a friend visit still, so I inquired again. She again tried to say I had to ask when I paid. But I pointed out the clear language on the ad, and she agreed that I had followed what their advertisement required. I asked if there was any form to fill out, and they said I had to call the district office. I spoke to Peter, who had claimed to be the manager in a previous conversation, and I asked for a statement saying I had followed the terms of the ad, but they refused to provide it to me. When I called the district office, they told me I had to speak to the manager of the H&R Block to get the reward. I don't think they ever intend to honor their posted advertisements.
If I had known the price would be $337, and not 200, I would not have used their services. They have promised me to send a $30 refund check to make up part of the difference, but I have not received the check.
Henry of Boston, MA

Helpful?
yes
no
3/21/08
LENGTH OF TIME CLIENT HAS USED H&R BLOCK: 7 yrs. CHRONOLOGICAL STATEMENT OF FACTS: January 22, 2007: OVERCHARGED FEES and was resolved.
The H&R Block field office located at 2491-G Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, Florida, double charged (debited) fees from my checking account in the amount of $116 each or $232. They cut check # and electronically. Check was retained by H&R block and not returned to the client, me. It is noted that the Office Manager was swiping customer checks several times in the check reader. On January 26, 2008, my taxes were completed and fees were incurred in the amount of $133 with the H&R Block district office. H&R Block accepted the check, stamped it void and returned the check to me.
February 1, 2008 H&R BLOCK MISHANDLED FEES. A clerical error occurred, and the H&R Block fee payment in the amount of $133 was not received electronically. Another check was issued in the same amount to the H&R Block district office. During this process, a female named April stated that the H&R Block check had to remain at H&R Block for depositing. I refused to leave this second issued check with H&R Block due to the incident the prior year. The check was swiped through the check reader with the cash register drawer opening confirming payment had been received.
March 3, 2008 & March 12, 2008: UNRESOLVED. I received a call while at work from the H&R Block district office, a District Operations Specialist (DOS) stated that H&R Block had not received payment due to my not leaving the check with H&R Block for depositing with TeleCheck--a leading provider of paper and electronic check services. With over 40 years of experience, TeleChecks commitment to continuous innovation helps business safely and efficiently accept check payments at the point-of-sale. TeleCheck helps more than 350,000 retail, financial institutions, grocery and other industry outlets increase profitability, reduce risk and streamline operations. The DOS inquired how I was going to make the payment: CASH, credit, or a THIRD CHECK. Thoroughly disgusted with the District Manager (DM), on escalation I contacted H&R Block Client Relations Arizona, who researched and verified the electronic payment was made on 2/1/08 with time, check #, and cashier, and that the District Office needed to contact the Bookkeeping Department for H&R Block.
All H&R Block needs to do is stop requesting client reissued checks, stop double debiting checking accounts, stop harassing repeat clients, stop retaining client checks when electronic payment has already been made, and simply debit the amount electronically, as done in a good faith effort on the date of purchase. They need to fix their validaters/readers, too. All of this defeats their purpose of having a partnership with TeleCheck. I'm a responsible and educated consumer, and I won't write checks if I don't have the funds. After seven years, I'm switching to a different tax firm.
Frustration, harassment and poor customer service. I had to file an official complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
James of West Palm Beach, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
3/12/08
I went into the Calumet City office to file my taxes on 2-4-08. I went through the procedure of having my taxes done, but when the lady got to the fees I declined all offers. I then collected all my information (w2's), and I left the facility. I got my taxes done by a private tax person, and that was done on 2-8-08. What H&R Block quoted me I didn't get back; but what my private tax person quoted me I received.
On March 8, 2008 at 8:00 a.m., I received a call from a representative from (HSBC) through H&R Block. The representative stated that I had an outstanding balance of $803.00 from them, and I began to panic and become very nervous. I knew that I didnt create this bill; and I immediately told him that I didnt even file my taxes with H&R Block. I told him that I started to and went into the office, but I declined all offers. He immediately gave me a number to the fraud deparment who I called immediately. I then called my local police department who sent over a policemen, and he appointed me to go to the H&R Block to talk to someone there and see what they had to say.
When the facility opened up I went up there at 10:00 a.m. and spoke to Denise who asked me what the problem was; and then once she found out she appointed me to Tonya who asked for my name and ss#. I gave it to her while I was sitting down. She then went to the back of the place to look for my paperwork; and she came back looking furious because she couldnt find my paperwork at all. She then looked for my DCN number, and she couldnt find that either. She came back looking furious about this situation, also. Tonya finally called her manager (Albeta Pritchet) who was astound by the conversation that she was having with Tonya; she told her what had happened, and Alberta couldnt believe it. Alberta asked for my information and stated that she was going to contact me on Monday March 10, 2008, in the morning, once she began her investigation.
Alberta also said maybe the tax preparation lady hit the transmit button by mistake. I told her yeah right, because the lady went back to the orignial screen. She also stated that maybe the person never used the E card that they generated from this H&R Block. I knew that was a lie also because I knew no one would have gone that far and not used the card. I went home, and I did my own investigation. I got the number for the E Card, and I contacted them myself. I called several numbers until I finally got in contact with someone at this E card place. The lady took my information, and she asked me if I had the card number. I told her no because I am the victim and someone stole my identity. She asked for my information, and she told me that the card was used and where the card was used at. I then called back up to H&R block and spoke with Tonya, and I told Tonya to let Alberta know that the card was used, and I had the address of where this person went. I had to call the credit bureaus and get a fraud alert on my credit.
On Monday morning Alberta didnt call me back; I had to call her, and I was very upset. I then talked to a Ralph from the Orland Park location. He asked me what had happened and couldnt grasp this situation. Finally he caught on and told me that whatever fee I had to pay, that H&R Block was going to reimburse me. Later on that night I went to the police department to get a police report ,and they stated that they couldnt give me one because I needed some documents to prove that I was a victim of fraud. When I left the police station I immediately went to H& RBlock, and again I spoke with Denise. I asked her over and over for my paperwork and how could someone get a loan without a signature? She told me that the signature was on file. I told her that anyone could come in and get a loan without a signature. I told her that this was so because someone should have something to prove that someone forged my name and stole my identity.
I left there because I was getting upset. Wveryone at this H&R Block is a suspect to me, and I felt that they were all suspicious. I called Ralph, and I left him a message telling him to contact me in the morning, Tuesday. I then talked to Alberta and explained to her that I couldnt get a police report, and she and I suggested that I come up to the H&RBlock and call the police from here. I did called the police, and I finally received my Police report. I had to go through hell and hot water to get this. I think that everyone at H&R Block owes me an apology, and I think that I should be compensated for my pain and suffering I had to go through. The staff at H& R Block was acting so suspiciously. Please contact me asap.
Shantise of Calumet City, IL

Helpful?
yes
no
3/12/08
I have been an H&R Block customer for about 10 years and have never had a problem. In December I had surgery and I was off work for five weeks so I applied for H&R Block's Emerald Advance credit line that I received a mailing about. I was approved for the $500, and was told that the $500, plus interest, would be repaid from my tax refund. I was fine with that.
I got a bill in the mail in January for the $511, which I took with me to my tax appointment on 02/03/08. H&R Block took the money out of my tax refund, plus I paid the $400 for having my taxes prepared by them, and I thought that was the end of it. I have been going there for about 10 years with no problems. Imagine my surprise when I got a bill in the mail on 03/03/08 for $14.93 still owed on my Emerald Advance credit line! I called the number on the bill but I was on hold for 48 minutes so I hung up. I tried two more times and finally I went to the office where I did my taxes. The tax prepared I spoke to told me they only sell the products but they really don't know anything about them.
The next day the owner of the franchise office called me and told me that even though I paid my bill on time, the IRS delayed sending the money to H&R Block Bank so $1.12 in interest accrued and they tacked on a $13.81 finance charge. All in all, this is not a lot of money, but I did my part by paying my bill on time so I want to know what I am getting scammed for the extra $14.93! The franchise owner told me they are doing this to a lot of people, imagine all they money they are making! I will never again deal with H&R Block.
Cindy of Lindstrom, MN

Helpful?
yes
no
3/9/08
My husband and I have dealt with H & R Block for at least 10 yrs, and we have never had any real problems with them. The problem this year is with H & R Block bank, they are the ones that advance you the Emerald Advance line of credit. Pay close attention to your statements. We thought we paid our advance off with our tax refund, however the amount H&R Block deducted from our refund was just shy of the amount due. We not only still owe money, but we were hit with a finance charge for that money. Upon closer examination, my balance was raised by an advance to my card that the bank says never happened, I say it never happened, yet it raised my balance more than twenty dollars and increased my finance charge. If you call the bank to find out the problem, avoid an individual named Marvin. Marvin has jokes and likes to transfer you to various voicemails of individuals with no name. How professional for a bank.
Although the extra money we have to pay isn't astronomical, my husband and I are forced to pay or risk damaging our credit report.. On a small scale the damage is between 5 to 50 dollars, on a larger scale if 1000 individuals that took out that line of credit go through the same experience we did, H&R bank is making a killing at the common taxpayer's expense.
Dee of North Royalton, OH

Helpful?
yes
no
3/5/08
The man who figured my taxes was very nice. HOWEVER, I was charged $240! How ridiculous! My adjusted gross income was below $20,000. I had one employer and one 1099 form. I think their charges are outrageous. I'm looking for another source next year.
There were no consequences other than financial hardship. I owe $5,000 in back taxes from 10 years ago so both my state and federal refunds were kept by the IRS. I paid an excess of $2000 to them. I didn't get a dime back and I had to pay $240 to do it. Am I stupid or what?
Becky of Columbia, MO

Helpful?
yes
no
3/4/08
I worked for H&R Block in the call center, primarily servicing the Emerald card for the past 3 months until I quit last week. I could no longer deal with the atrocities that this criminal enterprise perpetuates. I have first hand knowledge of how the employees are trained and what we were told to do in order to take advantage of the lower income people that H&R Block targets. I have compiled evidence of several things, not limited to unfair business practices, among other violations and those that appear to be crimes. I am submitting a summary of my information to the U.S. Attorney's office here at the world headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. I would love to be contacted via e mail by any attorney or individual who believes they have been victimized by these despicable vultures that call themselves corporate executives. My screen name is Gary Boley, a fictional name due to protective privacy measures I must take due to being an ex-employee.
Lives were turned upside down due to many defects in the Emerald Mastercard and the way that it is presented to the less educated and the lower economic class.
Gary of Kansas City, MO

Helpful?
yes
no
2/17/08
H&R Block makes you pay a fee of $20 if you do not accept to have your refund put onto an emerald card. This card does not have your name on it. It states you are an H&R block client. We were able to use it for the first couple of days. Please note that fees apply to get money out of ATM's--larger than normal fees. Well, our money all of a sudden (as of yesterday) is not available. My husband called and was hung up on by a rep. I called and was told it should be up and running in about 2 hours, that their systems at Mastercard were temporarily down. Well here it is another day: No money.
I called again and after a 25 minute hold, I was rudely told that they are down still and will hopefully be able to use my card soon. I can't tell my 10-month-old baby she can hopefully eat tomorrow or that my rent will hopefully be in by the 1st. We count on this money. They have fees to get it out and then a hold on it and no real explanation why. My 8-year commitment to H&R Block is broken.

Joan of Chicago, IL

Helpful?
yes
no
2/15/08
We took our info to H & R Block to have our taxes done. The girl started entering info in the computer and then stated she did not know enough about annuities to do this herself. She said she was going to send it to another office that day for them to do. I called back a week later, and she stated that she had been sick and not been able to send it. I then called back again after another 3 days and was told that it had been sent to another office. I was also advised at that time that it looked like we were going to get a refund.
Finally I was contacted after 2 weeks, and after a threat to take my taxes elsewhere, a lady stated that she had gotten the info that morning but needed more info. She called me later and advised me that the taxes were done and that we had to pay $1500.00 in taxes. After 2 weeks of waiting they charged us $263.00 to fill our taxes out. We lost all around on this, and I will not take my taxes back to them ever after this experience.

Pat of Louisville, KY

Helpful?
yes
no
2/15/08
I was pushed into obtaining my refund check on their emerald caster card even when I said that I was not comfortable doing so. They could not answer any of my questions because the preparers don't really know how it works either. They are just instructed to go over the highlights of it very briefly. Once I was signed on with it there was no turning back. It is a pain to activate and it takes the maximum amount of time allotted to get it. Once it's on there, you cannot get it back out without service charges. If you want the entire sum, it will cost you $20.00 for their trouble? Otherwise, $1.85 every ATM transaction that occurs with limited amounts that can be drawn. Which by the way, you won't know until it's activated. I called to see if once they get my refund check, and the bank could put a hold on the card and sent my actual check back to the office that did my taxes but that is not an option. I understand that some folks don't have bank accounts but if that's the case, they need to advertise it as such and should CLEARLY state what the charges are.
None. Just perturbed and want to share this experience with others so that they don't get scammed by an H & R Block preparer to put money in their bank!
Debra of Hutchinson, KS

Helpful?
yes
no
2/13/08
I have my taxes prepared by H&R Block each and every year. I can honestly say that I have never had any problems when using their tax services. Until last Friday, I had never filed rapid for my tax return. This year, I decided to use the Emerald Card that they offer. I need some cash really quickly. I haven't had a problem with my card. I am happy. After reading all the bad reports that other consumers have had, I just hope that I don't start to have any issues. I just wanted to say that I haven't had any issues. I actually like H&R Block. Thanks.
Sjw of Omha, NE

Helpful?
yes
no
2/13/08
I went to HR Block to apply for the Money Now loan that they now place on debit cards and did qualify; however, the rep who prepared the loan told me there was a $30.00 fee that would come off the top of the loan. But at the end of the preparation she told me that I would only get $440.00. So I asked why not $470.00 if HR Block fee is $30.00? She then told me that I would be able to get the additional $30.00 two days later, so I left the office to go and pay some bills only to find out the money was not on the card. I called the HR Block office, and they told me they were having some problem for the past few days with uploading the money on the cards, and eventually got the money two days later. The tax preparer nor anyone in the office had let me or any other consumers know of this problem. I feel as though I was misled in getting the loan because funds were not available when they should have been, and I would have chosen not to proceed with the loan. I also found out that the additional $30.00 was for a payment that should have been made on Jan. 15, 2008; but the loan was not due to be paid back until Feb. 15, 2008. The rep did not let me know of this.
I was in the understanding that HR loaned me the money, took their fee, and I needed to pay back the $470.00 by Feb. 15, 2008. They had already taken their fee. I received a statement in the mail regarding the loan, but the amount due was higher than the amount I borrowed with additional interest totaling $519.00! How is this possible? These loans are misrepresented and are not explained to the consumer as they should be. I called and spoke to a rep about the additional charges, and he was very nice and told me that he would open a claim and send it to a different department for review. It is now Feb. 8, and I have not heard one single word from them.
Farrah of St Louis, MO

Helpful?
yes
no
2/8/08
I am having a problem with the amount I was charged for my preparation, especially as a return customer and a person who could have easily done it myself. (I actually did and then took it there for the sheer fact we got the Emerald Advance, and I thought we had no choice, which turned out to be a false assumption on my part.) I would have felt it fair to be charged $300 to $450 (sort of), but I was charged $737 and that was AFTER my $20 dollar. I believe that their fee scale is unethical and overpriced, as well as unfair to the consumer, especially consumers whose information is the same as it was in prior years and no data entry except maybe a few number changes are made by the tax preparer. All they do is import it into the new year from the old year and verify it. How much work is that really? Minimal.
I would like for all of you out there who have had a problem to know the number for client relations, who may be able to help you. DO NOT call the 1800HRBLOCK number because that is just card services. Call 816-753-6900 and press 1 for client relations. I am still waiting on my call from the district manager, but I do have a feeling nothing will be done, because we did accept the fees. My point is that we sat there for 20-30 minutes before being helped, and then it took 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the lady to enter it all. You guys have no idea how inexperienced these people really are. They take the tax course, and that's it. I have an AS in Accounting, and I only utilize their services for the faster refund. Rest assured that in the future, I will be electronically filing on my own and having all of my money direct deposited into my bank account. Many years I have done the taxes ahead of time, and the people just have to enter it and it takes them forever; and then when there is a system glitch, they don't know what to do. They have asked several times why I don't take the class and work there myself. After seeing this site and my own experiences, I will NEVER work for them. I don't want my name associated with theirs in any way. It's a shame that a once reputable company established by honest men, has become entangled in our corporate greed and non-customer oriented society. I may actually file a complaint with the SEC or FTC about the fees that they charge. There should be a separate fee scale for new customers and returning customers, as well. No wonder they are one of the wealthiest corporations in the world.
Out of an approximate $4000-$4500 refund, which was being counted on for a new place to live, we were charged 16 - 18% of our refund for very little work on H&R Block's part. For those of you who had a problem with the RAL fees, you should be able to get a portion of those refunded since the RAL didn't go through as expected. I don't believe it is a processing fee, I believe you are only supposed to be charged the entire amount if the RAL goes through.
Michelle of New Smyrna Beach, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
2/7/08
I am unemployed right now, and didn't work a whole lot in 2007 because I was a full time student. My return was to be $308. They wanted to charge me $96 + $29.99 fee for not having cash on hand. I haggled the lady until she dropped it down to $49.50, but I still had the $29.99 fee to pay. That is 1/3 of my refund!
I don't have the gas money to look for a job in the places I would like and need that money. I chose not to pay it, I'll learn to do it myself from now on. Remember you can talk them down if you haggle them. I got them down to $30 last year. No real damage, just frustrating!
Casey of Kokomo, IN

Helpful?
yes
no
2/6/08
My husband and I went there to file our tax return, and we thought that everything will be just fine; we need the money as soon as possible. But NO, it came out so bad! When the lady was doing our taxes, she showed us on the computer that they will charge us $137 for 1-2 days, and we agreed because we really need the money--that's why we went there in the first place. We get to our apartment and saw they charged us $322! We just realized it was too late to go back there and complain or cancel it; we already signed! It says on the paper $215 for H&R BLOCK fee, and the $107 is for the bank fee. It also says that the estimated amount will be available in 1-2 days.
The next we gave them a call and asked if our check is already there; they said not yet. So we called the next day again and got the same answer. It's over 48 hours; they never call us and let us know what's going on. So we decided to call again, and their answer was its gonna be 8-15 days. Their reason was because the bank denied it. We told them they should let us know that there's gonna be a possibility that the bank will deny it. Now we're cheated! We didn't have our money to pay the apartment and the bills.

Cecille of Eloy, AZ

Helpful?
yes
no
2/4/08
My wife and I went to the H&R Block because H&R Block told us they can get us the money faster with additional fees. We chose 1-2 days. Once we did our taxes, we saw a charge of $147; when we got home we looked at our paperwork and saw that there were bank fees for the fast loan. Fine, we got ripped off. When the 1st day came up, they did not have our check that we paid for. Next day we called no check. Finally we called them again letting them know the 2 days is up. When we called they now told us that the loan has been denied, and we have to wait for 8-15 days for it. H&R Block now tells us that the bank we paid for can deny the loan. Now their excuse is it is the bank's fault, not ours. I kept telling them knowing that it can be possibly denied you should have told us at the beginning. And again the manager states the bank has to inform you.
When asking the manager when were you going to call us, he says only if we got the check for you. That's like saying they knew there was going to be no money, and they were going to have no intention of telling us that. We had to buy some groceries for the kids; all we came down to is the rent money for our apartment. Thinking that we would have the money in 1-2 days we went and bought some food, which bit into our rent money. Not a problem, we thought at the time until now. Now we don't have the rent money and have to pay more money for the late fees. Also we were going to pay the debtors on next week to avoid bankruptcy now that all the creditors are working with us. Now how is someone to believe my promise when I broke my promise, because I was misled?
James of Eloy, AZ

Helpful?
yes
no
2/1/08
I filed MY taxes there; they put my husband as the taxpayer, and he isn't. He didn't have any income in 2007 or 2006. I told them that I was the taxpayer, and they said his name had to be first. Now they're holding my money because he owed child support for a 22-year-old. They never told us to fill out an injured spouse form; they said they would do it after the fact ,and now they don't return our calls. I can't get my money. They need to return calls!
I can't buy my husband's meds he needs, my rent is due, the electric will be shut off, and my husband uses oxygen. I can't get my child to school with no gas. This is very disheartening. We need that money and fast.
Lore of Henderson, TN

Helpful?
yes
no
1/29/08
My family went to H&R block on 01/16/08 to file our income tax return. We have used their service in the past and have received their RAL. We were denied the instant loan which the tax advisor said was common as we are self employed and do not receive a W2. She assured us that we would have it in 1-2 days as printed in our paperwork. We received a H&R Block master card and when we called to verify our refund, we were informed that our loan was declined and we would receive our refund in 8-15 days. It seems unfair as our return is so simple to complete. It was done within 30 minutes and they charged us $247.00 for tax preparation. They use their loans to entice low income families in need of their refunds to use their service and charge outrageous fees. We could have used any local CPA or computer software for way less. I believe we even qualified for free tax preparation as our income qualifies us. I feel it is a scam and the tax advisor rushed us out, and misinformed us.

Travis of Rochester, IL

Helpful?
yes
no
1/20/08
I went to the Walmart store tax H&R Block and without my knowing, the lady slipped in a $500.00 dollar IRA and I know nothing about those things. After I had figured out what they did, I called and tried to talk to a number of people at Walmart and they said you signed and agreed to it, so there's nothing you can do. But she did it so sneaky, I didn't know what I was signing. So now I have this money in some IRA account and know nothing about it. I have no address to check it and don't know how to check it. I feel lost about it. I just felt sick about it. I will never go back to H&R Block ever again. Now I feel that I was cheated out of my money and yes, they said if I take it out, I will lose most of it in fee's. Please help.
I am a single mom with 3 children and I really needed my money. I tried to get it back but couldn't.
Cheryl of Whitehall, MI

Helpful?
yes
no
12/16/07
Hi, My wife and I visited the H&R Block office yesterday to get our taxes done. After being ignored for 45 minutes, we came home and made an appointment for 7:15 PM on the next day(3-26-07). We also called at 7 PM to confirm our appointment and we were told to come in. After 45 minutes of being ignored again, we walked out at 8 PM(office closing time). Do they have a policy of ignoring certain people or is this only a branch policy? There were 3 agents and only 2 customers and the third was shuttling between the 2 desks.
Manish of Cedar Park, TX

Helpful?
yes
no
3/26/07
I have filed my taxes for 4 years using the online HR Block software. This year, I decided to upgrade during the filing process to their Signature product to have access to an online tax representative with a couple questions I had. This proved to be the worst decision of my tax filing career.
I thought this was increasing my filing price from $39.95 to $79.95 for both federal and state, which by the way the $39.95 is already a double increase over the past 3 years. In the end, it has cost me $139.95 as their fees are not clearly stated nor did I agree to something that is a bank charge of $29.95 which I presume is for the direct deposit. There was also $29.95 additional for the state return which I swear told me that 1 state return was included in the initial $79.95.
Then the on-line tax consultant basically pushed me off stating she was the only one in the office when I called to get further clarification. There is no way they took any time at all to review my return so this service is a complete fraud in my mind.
My boyfriend received the same software for $29.95 that I used for $39.95. I guess once they think you're a loyal customer, they just think they can charge whatever.
Shari of Woodlake, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
1/31/07
I have been filing my income tax with HR black for the past 10 years i have been charged so much for fees. I also have tooken out the insurance and the women explained to me that if anything happens with your refund we can get you a lawyer , well somthing happened and when the time came down no lawyer was provided. the women sold me the insurance for NO REASON. she was not able to assist me with my problem as promissed by HR block.
I bills were not paid on time and my refund was delayed. no lawyer was provided. I have been filing my taxes for 10 years with this company.
Katiuscia of Pembroke Pines, FL

Helpful?
yes
no
1/31/07
On Jan. 5th my wife, with a power of attorney in hand, went into the H&R Block office. She was told that the IRS was not accepting returns until the 12th but she could have our "Refund Anticipation Loan" no later than 1-2 days after. She was approved for a "Money Now Loan" for $1700 of which she received a check for $1366.87. They deducted their $333.13 fees immediately.
The day that our loan check should have arrived I called the Block office, was informed that we were denied the R.A.L. and that we would receive our funds when the IRS released them - usually 8-14 days.
So not only do we not have our money in a Rapid fashion, we are also out a whole lot of it!
Donald of New Auburn, WI

Helpful?
yes
no
1/21/07
My husband and I had our taxes done for the first time by H & R Block. While our previous accountant charged $125 for filing all of our forms (my husband is self-employed), H & R Block charged us $436! Their reason is that each form has a fee. One form cost $53 to fill out!! How can that be when it is all on computer and the computer does the work for them?
They use the same forms as accountants do, but charge outrageous fees.

Marylynn of Frankfort, IN

Helpful?
yes
no
4/27/06
Yes, had I known there were all these hidden fees for filling out a costly form, I would opt to take their course instead and do my own taxes. Or better still, to do the easiest procedure on-line and lest costly, about $20.00 and pray I don't get audited. I'm finding out as well that H & R Block is a real rip off and the only people getting paid out of this procedure are the tax preparers who join forces with the IRS, who seem to want every penny you put into your pocket.
I was told by my tax preparer that the cost would be around $300. Then she called me back an hour later, and said she made a mistake, misread the computer, and the cost whould be $500, but she would take off $79 which would bring it to $429. My total cost of filing out forms and the form was $439.75. Reason for the fee, "your taxes are more complicated". Whatever that means, so is it for others who have no knowledge about preparing taxes.Yet nothing has changed in the past three years, except the price of letting someone else "rip you off".
Elaine of Washington, DC

Helpful?
yes
no
4/15/06
I feel as though I was totally overcharged for services rendered with my tax preparation!
Damages suffered were to my pocketbook and my faith/trust in H&R Block! Corporate America strikes once more!
Allison of Espanola, NM

Helpful?
yes
no
4/11/06
I've been going to H & R Block for the past few years. You get your money the next day and I've notice there are charges in there that I feel are unfair. I had to pay close to $400 in fees to have my taxes done. I think that is insane when I can use turbotax and get my taxes in a week for just $40. I think H & R Block deserves to be investigated because they're ripping off the poor people who work really hard for their money and have to pay ridiculous amounts for their money they worked for. So for whoever reads this Turbotax.com is the way to go from $10 - $75 you can do your own taxes and have them within a week.
Oneida of Fitchburg, MA

Helpful?
yes
no
3/25/06
I went in to file taxes with the expectation of being able to recieve my income tax return quicker. I agreed to the 8-15 day return with a $320.00 fee and was given a pin to check the staus online. The pin was incorrect and when I went to the IRS website to see where my refund was, I was to expect it 21 days after I filed. I had already promised crediters and debiters that I would be able to pay them on the last day that was promised which would have been the 15th day.
Veroncia of Buda, TX

Helpful?
yes
no
3/6/06
I went to H&R Block to have my taxes prepared for the first time this year 2005. I usually do them myself, but this years were a bit more complicated, due to getting married and my husband joining the Military. I called the local H&R Block office and set an appointment. On the day of the appointment I arrived a few minutes early and was serviced quickly. I gave the "Tax Specialist" all of the W-2's, and his response was "Wow, you worked in a lot of states this is going to be expensive" (that was not reasuring to hear).
I asked "How expensive?" and he replied "About $100.00", that didn't seem to bad to me, I had worked for the same company in MO, IL & now CA. My husband worked in MO and now for the military. As we sifted through the W-2's and got figures on what my refunds would be and what I would owe if anything, I asked "Can I deduct my personal property tax from the MO state taxes?" he replied "I'm not sure but I doubt it".
As we started to finish he stated, "You will be getting a refund of X amount from Federal, X amount from IL, X amount from CA, You owe MO $1,100.00", I couldn't believe it, I have never owed state taxes before. But I trusted him, (they are tax professionals, right?) and asked if he would check into the MO state taxes further, he agreed and we set an appoinment for the following Tuesday.
I returned to the H&R Block office, to find out that my "tax specialist" was not in that day, but that someone else would assist me. As I waited I wondered if I had made the right decision, by using this company. After talking to another "tax specialist" she showed me why I owed MO state taxes, I agreed and she gave me the balance I owed for H&R Blocks services -- $237.00!! I asked why the cost was so high, and she replied because you had out of state taxes. Well yes I did, and the original amount qouted to me was "around $100.00" so why so much more?
With no other choice to my knowledge but to pay, I did. I thought I had to, because they had E-filed some of the taxes.
Brooke of Port Hueneme, CA

Helpful?
yes
no
2/19/06
Because I had recently gotten married, and had to file tax forms in both Ohio and Kentucky, I went to H&R Block thinking that they would be able to straighten everything out. The associate who was assigned to me was obviously very new to the United States, but I tried not to be biased. However after I explain my situation to him, it was obvious that I knew more about taxes than he did.
He was simply a data entry person who took my forms and entered them into the computer. I was capable of doing that!
While he was entering the data I asked him how much they are going to charge us, because it seemed like we could do a better job, and was told $144 - JUST for my husband's taxes, and not mine!
I've used accountants in the past and never spent more than $50. Spending $144 is absolutely ridiculous, considering there was nothing complicated about my husband's forms.
I took my forms, walked out and went straight to Walmart where I bought TurboTax.
Beth of Cold Spring, KY

Helpful?
yes
no
2/17/06
I called H&R Block to see if they did Utah taxes. They said yes they do taxes from all states. I told them my taxes were simple and that I could do them myself but needed them e-filed. I asked the price and they said $49.95.
After they prepared my taxes they gave me a bill for $180.25. They said the reason it was so much is because I have a dependent.
The next day I called to talk to a manager because it just didn't seem right. She informed me that Utah taxes are an extra $60 and that I must not have given them the right information. She said she had IMPORTANT clients to talk to and hung up the phone!
I feel that I was completely mislead on the price and treated very unprofessionally.
Emily of Woodruff, UT

Helpful?
yes
no
2/9/06
I filed my taxes on 01/19/2006.My return was to be $2721.00. I have filed for nearly 10 yrs. having a 1099misc. every year it cost $142.00 for preperation fees. This year they tell me it cost $208.00 (they tell me they're not sure why , must be the forms, note: I use the same forms every year. I filed the same as every year for the RAL to receive it back in 1 to 2 days. This year they tell me I was declined because I owed the bank (HSBC) $142.00 from last year.
Last year the $142.00 was taken out of my return along with the $99.95 charge for HSBC bank fees.I contacted the IRS about this matter and they disclosed to me that the entire check was directly deposited in HSBC's Bank in Buffallo N.Y. on Feb.18th. which means I did not receive my return this year in 1 to 2 days instead I have to wait untill the banks receive my check from the IRS and then they will loan me my money minus their fees.That will take about 3 weeks.
I just can't figure out why I would want to have my check sent to them first so that they can take fees to loan me my money.I have been reading up on all the H&R and HSBC scams. I only wish I would have investigated them first.I am a low income tax payer with EIC credit. All that H&R Block kept informing about was ther Peace Of Mind deal that would cost me $39.99 additional so that I could feel secure that they did their job right.

David of Akron, OH

Helpful?
yes
no
1/21/06

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