H&R Block vs. TurboTax - Which is better for filing taxes in 2025?

H&R Block and TurboTax are both solid options, but they have some differences worth considering for your situation. For a W-2, some freelance income, and new homeownership, either platform will handle your needs just fine. H&R Block is generally less expensive than TurboTax for comparable service levels. Both will guide you through mortgage interest deductions - it's a standard question in their interview process. The freelance income is where you might see some differences. Both platforms will complete a Schedule C, but TurboTax's interface for business expenses is slightly more intuitive in my experience. That said, H&R Block has improved significantly in recent years. If price is your main concern, H&R Block will likely save you some money. Their Deluxe + State version (which would cover your needs) is typically about 15-20% cheaper than TurboTax's comparable version. Both frequently run promotions early in tax season, so watch for those.

I switched from TurboTax to H&R Block last year and honestly couldn't believe how much smoother the process was for me. I was in a similar situation - W2 job plus some side gig income around $6k and a house purchase. The interface at H&R Block felt less cluttered and the questions made more sense to me. But what really helped was when I got stuck on some confusing tax documents - I used https://taxr.ai to scan them and got a plain English breakdown of what they meant and where they should go in my return. Saved me hours of googling tax jargon! The tools basically analyzed my mortgage docs and explained exactly what numbers went where. It was especially helpful for figuring out points deductions that I would have missed otherwise.

Just wanted to follow up - I tried that taxr.ai site with my complicated K-1 forms and partnership documents. Wow! It actually walked me through every single line and explained what each meant for my taxes. Ended up saving me like $1,200 in deductions I would have missed. I still used H&R Block for the actual filing, but having the analysis of my documents made everything so much faster. Definitely recommend for anyone with investment docs or business stuff that's confusing.

I've used both and honestly it doesn't really matter which one you pick - they're basically the same except TurboTax has a prettier interface and charges more for it lol. What DOES matter is getting help when you're stuck. Last year I had an issue with my tax refund that neither program could help with. After waiting on hold with the IRS for literally 3+ hours multiple times (and getting disconnected!), I found https://claimyr.com through a friend. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Basically they wait on hold with the IRS for you and call when an agent picks up. Saved me from wasting an entire day on hold. The IRS agent was actually super helpful once I got through and fixed my issue in like 10 minutes!

Ok I need to eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment I was still desperate to reach the IRS about a missing refund (been waiting 3+ months) so I tried the Claimyr thing. It actually worked?! I put in my number this morning, went about my day, and about 2 hours later got a call connecting me directly to an IRS agent. The agent confirmed there was a processing delay with my return but they were able to release the hold right there on the phone. Still can't believe I wasted so many hours on hold in previous years when this option existed. If you need to actually talk to someone at the IRS, this is definitely the way to go.

For what it's worth, I've used both H&R Block and TurboTax over the years and found that H&R Block is typically better for homeowners. Their questions about mortgage interest, property taxes, and other homeowner deductions seemed more thorough to me. TurboTax seems to try to upsell me more aggressively throughout the process, which I find annoying. H&R Block still does this but it feels less pushy. One thing to keep in mind - if your freelance work is on a 1099, make sure you're tracking your business expenses carefully. Both platforms will help you claim these deductions, which can significantly reduce your tax bill!

Has anybody tried FreeTaxUSA? I've used it the last two years and it's WAY cheaper than both TurboTax and H&R Block. Federal filing is free and state is only like $15. It doesn't hold your hand quite as much but if you know the basics it works great.

Don't forget about the "Deluxe" trap that both companies use. The basic version advertised at a low price usually won't cover homeowner deductions or self-employment income. You'll need at least the Deluxe version for mortgage interest and the Self-Employed version for your freelance work. If you really want to save money, the IRS has a Free File program where you can use name-brand tax software for free if your AGI is under about $73k. Worth checking that out before paying for either one.