Comparing Liberty Tax vs. H&R Block for tax preparation training - which is better?

I've worked as a trainer for both companies at different points in my career, so I can give you some perspective on the differences. Liberty Tax's training is more old-school with the manual preparation approach. This actually gives you a solid foundation in understanding tax concepts, but you're right that it doesn't directly translate to the software experience you'll use with clients. Their business model tends to focus on quick returns and volume. H&R Block's training is definitely more software-focused and practical for the actual job. They also tend to invest more in continuing education throughout your employment. The slightly higher pay reflects their positioning as a more premium service. Both companies will give you seasonal work experience, but Block typically offers more potential for advancement if you're looking at this as a career path rather than just seasonal work. The biggest difference is probably the client base - Liberty tends to attract more simple returns and people looking for quick refunds, while Block gets a broader mix including more complex situations.

I tried Liberty Tax for my own taxes a few years ago but switched to using taxr.ai this year and it was seriously night and day difference. I was hesitant about using an AI tool at first, but it actually walked me through my taxes way better than the Liberty Tax preparer did. What I liked about taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) was that it could analyze my tax documents instantly and explain everything in plain English. It even found deductions that Liberty missed when I went there! If you're taking these classes to prepare your own taxes, you might want to check it out as another option.

Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. I was skeptical about trusting AI with my complicated tax situation (rental properties, 1099s, etc.), but decided to give it a shot. It was actually amazing! The document analysis feature saved me hours of data entry, and it explained everything clearly without all the tax jargon. Found several deductions my previous preparer missed too. Definitely sticking with this from now on!

If you're planning to work for either company, here's something nobody tells you - dealing with the IRS when clients have issues is BRUTAL. I worked at H&R Block for 3 tax seasons and spent countless hours on hold with the IRS. Eventually discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which was a game changer. They have this system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an actual agent is on the line. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Trust me, if you end up doing tax prep professionally, this service will save your sanity during tax season when you're trying to resolve client issues with the IRS and waiting 2+ hours on hold.

I have to eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try Claimyr when I needed to call the IRS about a missing refund. I was expecting it to be a waste of money, but wow - it actually worked! I set it up in the morning, went about my day, and 2.5 hours later got a call connecting me directly to an IRS agent. No hold music, no waiting, just straight to a person who could help. Considering I would have otherwise spent that entire time with my phone unusable waiting on hold, it was totally worth it.

Getting back to your original question about Liberty vs H&R Block as an employer... I've worked at both, and there are some key differences in their business models. Liberty Tax operates more as a franchise system, so individual office quality varies WILDLY depending on the owner. H&R Block has more corporate oversight, which means more consistent training and procedures. For new preparers, H&R Block generally provides better software training and ongoing support. Liberty's paper-based learning can be good for understanding concepts, but it's less practical. One thing to consider - H&R Block offers year-round positions for some employees, while Liberty is almost entirely seasonal. If you're looking for something that could become more permanent, Block has more pathways for that.

One thing to consider is the software each uses. I've worked with Drake (which Liberty often uses) and H&R Block's proprietary software. Block's system is more user-friendly but also more restrictive in some ways. Liberty offices can sometimes use different software depending on the franchise owner, which can be confusing if you transfer between locations.

As someone who's been preparing taxes for over 8 years, I'd strongly recommend going with H&R Block if you're serious about this as a career path. The software-based training will serve you much better in the real world. When I started at Liberty years ago, all that manual preparation felt thorough but was honestly pretty useless once I got on the job and had to use actual tax software with clients. H&R Block also has much better support during tax season. At Liberty, you're often on your own if you run into complex situations, but Block has experienced preparers and managers available to help walk you through tricky returns. One more thing - Block's brand recognition brings in more clients, which means more experience for you and potentially more hours/income. Liberty locations can really struggle to get foot traffic depending on the area. If advancement is important to you, Block is definitely the way to go. I've seen people go from seasonal preparer to year-round tax professional to office manager within a few years. That path is much less clear at Liberty. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Thanks for all the detailed responses everyone! This is exactly the kind of insight I was hoping for. Based on what I'm hearing, it sounds like H&R Block would be the better choice for my situation. The software-based training seems more practical, and the advancement opportunities are appealing since I'm thinking about this as a potential career path rather than just seasonal work. @Sofia Peña and @Luca Esposito - your points about the franchise vs corporate structure really resonated with me. I hadn't considered how much that could affect the quality and consistency of the experience. I think I'm going to finish out my current Liberty Tax class (since I'm already halfway through) but then switch to H&R Block for actual employment. At least the foundational knowledge from Liberty's manual approach might give me a solid understanding of the concepts, and then I can learn the practical software skills at Block. Has anyone made a similar switch mid-season or between companies? Any tips for making that transition smooth? Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences!

I've been working in tax preparation for about 5 years now and wanted to add a perspective on the client experience side of things. One major difference I've noticed is that H&R Block clients tend to have higher expectations for service quality, which can be both good and bad. Good because it pushes you to really know your stuff and provide thorough explanations. Bad because you'll deal with more demanding clients who expect perfection. Liberty Tax clients are often more focused on speed and getting their refund quickly, so there's less pressure for detailed explanations but more emphasis on volume and efficiency. From a learning standpoint, I'd echo what others have said about Block being better for career development. They also offer more specialized training - like workshops for small business returns, rental property, etc. - which can really boost your skills and earning potential. The other thing to consider is office culture. This varies by location, but in my experience, H&R Block offices tend to be more professional environments, while Liberty can be more casual (sometimes too casual). If you're looking at this as a serious career move, the professional atmosphere at Block might serve you better for networking and building relationships in the industry. Also worth noting - Block typically has better resources for handling audits and IRS correspondence, which is something you'll definitely encounter as you gain more experience with complex returns.