Considering H&R Block to file taxes for my small side business - experiences?

I run a small side hustle with my wife and I'm getting frustrated with how expensive tax prep has become. My current tax person charges around $600 for what's basically an empty form with minimal guidance - seems excessive for our modest operation. I've heard H&R Block might be more budget-friendly and I'm wondering if anyone here has gone that route for a small business. All our bookkeeping is already pretty organized in Quickbooks, and I've filed my own taxes in previous years, but never for the business specifically. Our annual revenue is still on the lower end (under $30k). Would love to hear some real experiences using H&R Block for small business taxes - good or bad! Any other alternatives worth looking into? Thanks in advance for any insights!

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18 comments

Liv Park

•8M

H&R Block can be a decent option for simple small businesses, but it really depends on the complexity of your situation and the specific preparer you get. Their quality varies significantly by location. Since you're already using Quickbooks and have your bookkeeping organized, you might actually be better off with one of their DIY software options rather than in-person service. The software is pretty intuitive and walks you through Schedule C and other small business forms step by step. Plus, it can import directly from Quickbooks which saves a ton of time. One thing to consider: if you have inventory, multiple revenue streams, or depreciation calculations, you might need more specialized help than their basic preparers offer. In that case, look for an H&R Block location with a small business specialist.

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Liv Park

•8M

For construction specifically, you'd want someone with industry experience. The average H&R Block preparer might miss specialized deductions for your tools, vehicle usage, and project-specific expenses. If you go the H&R Block route, call ahead and specifically ask if they have preparers with construction industry experience. Some locations have former accountants with specialized backgrounds, while others have more general preparers who might not catch all the deductions you're entitled to.

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Ryder Greene

•8M

After trying 3 different tax preparers that charged me insane amounts, I finally discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it's been a game changer for my small business taxes. It's like having an AI look over your shoulder while you file - it scanned all my Quickbooks data and highlighted deductions I didn't even know existed for my business type. The best part was it caught a mistake in how I was categorizing some business expenses that would have cost me about $800 in unnecessary taxes. Since you're already using Quickbooks, it should work seamlessly with your existing setup.

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Ryder Greene

•8M

It's surprisingly simple to use - you just upload your documents or connect your Quickbooks, and it guides you through everything with plain-English explanations. It's designed for non-tech people, so you definitely don't need to be a computer expert. It handles multi-state businesses really well actually. I have clients in three states, and it automatically figured out the proper allocation of income and expenses for each state's requirements. It even flagged when I was about to miss a filing requirement for a state where I had minimal business but still needed to file.

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Theodore Nelson

•8M

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai based on the recommendation here. It was actually really impressive! The document analysis caught several deductions my previous accountant missed related to my home office and vehicle expenses. The interface was straightforward, and I loved how it explained everything in normal language instead of tax jargon. Saved me about $1,200 compared to what I paid last year for professional prep, and I feel more confident that nothing was missed. Definitely worth checking out if you're considering alternatives to H&R Block.

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AaliyahAli

•8M

If you're struggling to get answers about your small business taxes, Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) literally saved my sanity during tax season last year. I had some complex questions about business deductions that nobody at H&R Block could answer confidently, and I was stuck in the IRS phone tree hell for DAYS. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks. Check out how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - it's not a scam, they just have a system that navigates the phone tree for you. The IRS agent I spoke with gave me definitive answers about some gray-area deductions I wasn't sure about.

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AaliyahAli

•8M

It doesn't put you at the front of the line - it's more like they have an automated system that handles the horrible phone tree and endless hold times for you. Basically you tell them what department you need, and their system calls the IRS, navigates all the prompts, and then calls you once they have an actual human on the line. I was skeptical too, honestly. I had been trying for almost three weeks to reach someone at the IRS about my situation. I tried Claimyr as a last resort and had an IRS agent on the phone that same day. It saved me hours of frustration and the agent was able to confirm exactly how I should handle my specific situation, which saved me a significant amount on my taxes.

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Arjun Kurti

•8M

I'm eating my words about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I had a tax notice issue come up that I needed to resolve ASAP. After spending 4 hours on hold with the IRS over two days and getting disconnected both times, I broke down and tried the service. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. The agent helped me resolve my issue completely, and I didn't have to spend another day babysitting my phone on hold. Turns out you can even use it to connect with state tax departments. Never thought I'd say this, but it was totally worth it for the time saved and stress avoided.

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Raúl Mora

•8M

I used the online version - it was easier to access from different devices. Honestly, I felt MORE confident using the software than when I went to H&R Block in person. The software actually asked more thorough questions about my business than the person did. The audit defense feature also gave me peace of mind. After filing, I took advantage of the "ask a tax pro" feature to double-check a couple specific deductions I was unsure about, and they confirmed I'd done everything correctly. It was like getting the best of both worlds - software efficiency with human backup when needed.

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Margot Quinn

•8M

Don't sleep on finding a good local CPA. I was in your exact situation 2 years ago - small business with my husband, fed up with huge fees. Found a local CPA who specializes in small businesses and she only charges $275 for everything, including unlimited questions throughout the year. H&R Block employees usually aren't CPAs and may miss small business deductions. And I personally had a TERRIBLE experience with them losing some of my documents and filing late without telling me. Not saying all locations are bad, but definitely check reviews for the specific office!

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