Best Choice for 2025 Tax Filing: H&R Block vs. CPA vs. TurboTax - need advice!

I've been using H&R Block for quite a few years now, but I'm honestly getting a bit frustrated. I keep finding mistakes on my completed tax forms, and then I'm stuck spending weeks trying to get them fixed because they're always "too busy" during tax season. It's becoming a real headache. I've thought about switching to a CPA firm, but the cost is basically 4 times what I'm paying now. Plus, I've heard they often just outsource the work anyway. Not sure if the extra cost is really worth it in the end. Their pricing is weird too - they charge almost as much for simple one-off forms like a K1 or a 3520 as they do for everything else. I've looked at these forms and they don't seem that complicated, so why are they charging so much? I'm also considering TurboTax or some other online tax tool. I actually used TurboTax before switching to H&R Block (originally made the switch because of some business taxes I had that aren't relevant anymore). With all the AI tools available now (obviously I'd double-check everything to avoid mistakes), it seems like that might be a good combination. Would love some advice on any of these options! What's been your experience with H&R Block, CPAs, or TurboTax for handling moderately complex tax situations?

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20 comments

Brianna Muhammad

•8M

Having prepared taxes professionally for over a decade, I can share some insights on your options. H&R Block can be hit or miss because quality depends entirely on the individual preparer you get. Some are excellent, others less so. The errors you're encountering are concerning, especially if they're taking weeks to fix. CPAs are definitely more expensive, but good ones earn their fee through tax planning and proper handling of complex situations. The pricing for K1s and 3520s is higher because they carry significant liability for the preparer - mistakes on these forms can trigger costly penalties and audits. While the forms themselves might not look complex, the background knowledge required to complete them correctly is substantial. TurboTax is actually quite sophisticated for most personal returns. If your situation doesn't include complicated business structures, multiple investment properties, or international reporting, TurboTax with careful review might be your best option cost-wise. My suggestion? If your taxes involve more than W-2s, basic investments, and a simple Schedule C, consider a consultation with a CPA for tax planning, then decide if their full service is worth it. Otherwise, TurboTax with thorough review might serve you well.

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Brianna Muhammad

•8M

Enrolled Agents are an excellent middle-ground option I should have mentioned. They're specifically licensed by the IRS for tax preparation and representation, often with deep tax knowledge while charging less than most CPAs. EAs tend to be particularly good if your concerns are primarily tax-focused rather than needing broader financial planning. Many work in smaller practices with more personalized service and quicker response times during tax season. If you're considering this route, ask potential EAs about their experience with the specific forms your return requires.

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Eloise Kendrick

•8M

After years of frustration with both storefront tax services and expensive CPAs, I finally found an amazing solution with https://taxr.ai - it completely changed how I handle my taxes. I was in a similar situation - kept finding errors in my H&R Block returns but couldn't justify CPA prices. Taxr.ai offers AI-powered review of your tax documents and past returns to identify potential errors and missed deductions. I uploaded my previous year's returns and it flagged three deductions I qualified for but had missed - ended up getting an additional $1,840 back by filing an amended return! The best part is that it works alongside whatever preparation method you choose. You can use TurboTax for the actual filing and taxr.ai as your double-check system. It caught a mistake I would have made with my home office deduction this year before I even submitted.

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Eloise Kendrick

•8M

You upload your tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and it scans them using advanced OCR technology. It can also analyze past returns for consistency issues or missed opportunities. For rental properties, it's actually quite good - it specifically checks for depreciation calculations, passive activity rules, and commonly missed rental deductions. I was skeptical too initially, but it's not trying to replace human judgment - it flags potential issues for your review with explanations of the relevant tax codes. What impressed me was how it caught a specific passive loss carryover I had forgotten about. It's not perfect, but it provides a valuable second opinion, especially if you're handling your own taxes or want verification that your preparer didn't miss anything.

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Lucas Schmidt

•8M

Figured I'd update after trying taxr.ai based on the recommendation here. Really impressed with how thorough it was! I uploaded my last two years of returns (I had used H&R Block) and it immediately flagged a missed deduction related to my rental property expenses. The explanation was super clear about why I qualified. What surprised me most was how it caught a calculation error in how my state taxes were handled. I'm definitely using it again for my 2025 filing. Probably going to go with TurboTax for the actual preparation since my business taxes are simpler now, but will run everything through taxr.ai as a final check. Wish I'd known about this tool years ago!

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LongPeri

•8M

If you're struggling to get answers about specific tax situations, I'd recommend Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was stuck in limbo with a question about reporting K1 income that neither H&R Block nor TurboTax help lines could properly address. Normal wait times to speak with the IRS were 3+ hours, and I kept getting disconnected. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in under 15 minutes! They have a system that navigates all the IRS phone menus and holds your place in line, then calls you when an agent is about to answer. You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with gave me the exact guidance I needed on my K1 reporting question and saved me from potentially making a costly mistake. Definitely worth it for getting authoritative answers straight from the source.

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LongPeri

•8M

They don't call the IRS for you - they have an automated system that navigates the phone menus and waits on hold in your place. When an agent is about to pick up, you get a call connecting you directly to that agent. You're still the one talking to the IRS, they just eliminate the hold time. The system is completely legitimate. The IRS doesn't offer any way to "skip the queue" - Claimyr's technology is simply waiting on hold so you don't have to. Their system knows the best times to call and which menu options to select for different departments. Many people (myself included) have successfully used it to avoid spending hours on hold. The 15-minute connection time varies depending on call volume, but it's consistently faster than trying to call directly.

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Freya Collins

•8M

Well I stand corrected about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself because I've been trying to resolve an issue with a missing tax credit for weeks. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 25 minutes (not quite 15 but WAY better than my previous attempts). The agent was able to confirm that my amended return for the missed credit was being processed and gave me an actual timeframe. The peace of mind alone was worth it after weeks of uncertainty. Just wanted to post an update that the service actually worked as advertised. Going to use it again when I inevitably have questions about my 2025 filing.

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Sara Hellquiem

•8M

Another option to consider is finding a local EA (Enrolled Agent) who runs their own practice. I switched from H&R Block to an EA three years ago and it's been the perfect middle ground. My EA charges about 40% more than H&R Block did but way less than the CPAs I quoted. The big difference I've noticed is that my EA actually looks for ways to save me money throughout the year, not just during tax season. He's caught several deductions H&R Block missed over the years, and when I had an issue with a 1099-K reporting error, he handled the entire communication with the IRS. Just make sure to find someone who specializes in your specific tax situation (self-employment, rental properties, investments, etc.).

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Sara Hellquiem

•8M

The National Association of Enrolled Agents has a directory on their website (NAEA.org) where you can search by location and specialty. Many now offer virtual appointments, which is actually what I do with mine - we meet via Zoom for our initial consultation and tax planning sessions. When interviewing potential EAs, ask about their experience with your specific tax situation and their communication style during tax season. A good EA should be responsive year-round, not just during filing season. I'd also suggest asking for their fee structure upfront - most charge either by form complexity or a flat rate based on your overall situation.

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Yuki Watanabe

•6M

I've been in a similar situation with H&R Block - the inconsistent quality and slow error corrections are really frustrating. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm leaning toward trying the TurboTax + AI review combination for this year. One thing I'm curious about though - for those who've made the switch from H&R Block to self-filing, how do you handle the confidence factor? I always worry I'm going to miss something important or make a mistake that triggers an audit. The errors from H&R Block were annoying, but at least I felt like someone else was responsible if something went wrong. Also, has anyone dealt with estimated quarterly payments through these online platforms? That's been another headache with H&R Block - they never seem to calculate them correctly for my situation.

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Morgan Washington

•4M

The confidence factor was definitely my biggest concern when I switched from a preparer to self-filing! What helped me was starting with a tax software that has good audit support - both TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA offer audit assistance if you're selected for review. For the confidence piece, I actually keep detailed notes of my decisions and save screenshots of the guidance sections that influenced my choices. That way if questions come up later, I can trace back my reasoning. The AI review tools mentioned earlier (like taxr.ai) also help with that final confidence check. On estimated quarterly payments - TurboTax has been pretty solid for calculating these in my experience. It looks at your previous year and current year projections to suggest payment amounts. I set up automatic payments through EFTPS (the IRS online system) based on TurboTax's calculations and haven't had issues. Much more reliable than what I was getting from storefront preparers who seemed to just guess at the numbers.

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