Can I walk out of my H&R Block appointment if the tax preparer seems incompetent?

Yes, you absolutely can and should walk out if you're not confident in the person preparing your taxes. Tax preparation isn't just about entering numbers - it's about understanding tax law and maximizing your benefits while staying compliant. I'd recommend politely asking to speak with a manager and explaining your concerns. Request either a different preparer or a refund of your appointment fee. Most H&R Block locations want to maintain good customer relationships and should accommodate you. Even if they don't refund the appointment fee, it's better to lose $75 now than deal with an incorrect tax return that could potentially cost you much more in missed deductions, credits, or even penalties if errors trigger an audit. For what it's worth, there are multiple alternatives: other tax preparation services, certified CPAs who specialize in taxes, or tax software like TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA if your situation isn't too complex. Since you mentioned Schedule C, it sounds like you have self-employment income, which does require more careful handling.

I was in a similar situation last year with an inexperienced preparer at a tax chain. After multiple mistakes, I decided to try taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game-changer. The system analyzed all my tax documents and explained them in plain English - actually found several deductions my previous preparer had missed related to my small business expenses. It was especially helpful with my Schedule C because it flagged expenses I could deduct that I didn't even know about. The software guided me through everything step by step, and I felt much more confident than when I was watching someone make mistakes right in front of me.

Following up on my question about taxr.ai - I decided to give it a try after getting frustrated with my usual tax preparer. I was really impressed with how it handled my rental property. The system automatically identified depreciation schedules, categorized my expenses properly, and even suggested deductions I hadn't thought of (like partial home office for property management activities). The stock sales portion was even better - I just uploaded my 1099-B and it organized everything by long and short-term gains. Saved me hours of manual entry! I'm definitely using this next year instead of paying someone else to make mistakes on my return.

If you're still dealing with H&R Block issues, another approach is to call the IRS directly to get the correct information. I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to connect with an actual IRS agent after trying for days to get through on my own. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I had a situation where H&R Block gave me conflicting information about my self-employment deductions, and I wanted to hear directly from the IRS. Claimyr got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes when I had previously spent hours on hold and never reached anyone. The agent clarified exactly how to handle my Schedule C deductions, which was different from what the tax preparer had told me.

I need to admit I was totally wrong about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it since I was desperate to resolve a question about my self-employment taxes that H&R Block gave me conflicting information about. Within 25 minutes of using the service, I was talking to an actual IRS representative who cleared everything up. What impressed me most was how simple it was - I just entered my phone number, specified what department I needed, and went about my day. When they got an agent, my phone rang and I was connected immediately. Saved me from having to listen to that awful hold music for hours! Definitely using this for any future IRS questions.

Another option if you're unhappy with H&R Block is to check if you qualify for free tax preparation services. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who make $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English speakers. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program also offers free tax help, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement issues for seniors. The volunteers are certified and often more knowledgeable than entry-level preparers at commercial chains. I've volunteered with VITA for 3 years and many of us have accounting backgrounds or extensive tax preparation experience.

I worked at H&R Block for two tax seasons and I'll tell you a secret - the "front desk person" is often put in the role of tax preparer during busy times, even with minimal training. They rely heavily on the software's built-in guidance rather than tax knowledge. If you're not comfortable, definitely walk out! H&R Block's system automatically charges that appointment fee when they start your return in the system, but managers have the ability to refund it if you're not satisfied. Be polite but firm about your concerns. If you do decide to use software instead, make sure you look at your prior year return first to see if there's anything unusual or complex that might need special attention. Most people with straightforward situations plus a simple Schedule C can absolutely handle their own returns with software.