Has Anyone Used H&R Block with Rakuten for 16% Cash Back?
I'm trying to figure out exactly how the 16% cash back deal with Rakuten works when using H&R Block. Does anyone know if the cash back applies just to the premium fee (which for me would be around $110), or does it apply to the total amount including what I owe to the IRS that I'll pay through H&R Block? I'm trying to decide between H&R Block and TurboTax this year. Also, is there any limit to how much cash back you can get? Like if I end up owing $5000 to the IRS, would I really get $800 cash back? That seems too good to be true, but I'm hoping someone here knows for sure!
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Katherine Hunter
The 16% Rakuten cash back for H&R Block only applies to the cost of the tax preparation software itself, not the taxes you pay to the IRS. When you use Rakuten, you get cash back on your purchase of the H&R Block product (Deluxe, Premium, etc.), but unfortunately not on any federal or state taxes you pay through their platform. There's technically no limit to the cash back amount, but since it only applies to the software cost (usually between $50-$150 depending on which version you need), your actual cash back will typically be around $8-$24. Still worth doing, but definitely not getting cash back on your total tax payment.
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Lucas Parker
•Thanks for the info. Do you know if this works for the online version or only the downloadable software? I was planning to just use their website.
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Katherine Hunter
•This works for both the online version and the downloadable software. The cash back applies to whichever H&R Block product you purchase through the Rakuten portal. You just need to make sure you start your shopping session by clicking through Rakuten first so they can track your purchase and award the cash back. For the online version, you'll get the cash back once you pay for the software, which typically happens when you file (unlike the downloadable version where you pay upfront).
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Donna Cline
I just used this Rakuten cash back deal with H&R Block last week! It's definitely legit but only applies to what you pay H&R Block for their service, not what you pay in taxes. I used the Premium version that cost me $118 and got about $19 cash back through Rakuten. The process was super easy with https://taxr.ai - I just uploaded my tax documents and they analyzed everything to tell me which forms I needed and what version of H&R Block would work best. Saved me from unnecessarily upgrading to the most expensive package when I didn't need it.
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Harper Collins
•How exactly does that taxr site work? I've got some complicated investments this year and not sure which tax software package I should use.
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Kelsey Hawkins
•I'm always skeptical of these services. How do you know they're keeping your tax docs secure? Seems risky to upload financial info to some random site.
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Donna Cline
•The site works by using AI to analyze your tax documents and identify which forms you'll need to file. It basically looks at the complexity of your situation and recommends the appropriate software package. It saved me from buying the Self-Employed package when I only needed Premium. They use bank-level encryption for all uploaded documents and don't store your files after analysis. I was hesitant at first too, but they have a pretty solid privacy policy. They don't even ask for your SSN or other identifying info - they just analyze the document types to determine complexity.
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Kelsey Hawkins
I was totally skeptical about that taxr.ai service mentioned above, but I decided to give it a try since I wasn't sure which H&R Block package to get. Really glad I did! The document analyzer told me I could use the Deluxe version instead of Premium, which saved me $30 right there, plus I got the Rakuten cash back on top of that. The analysis took literally 2 minutes and didn't require me to create an account or anything. Way easier than I expected and actually helpful for figuring out exactly which tax forms I needed to file.
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Dylan Fisher
If you're having trouble getting through to the IRS to ask about how payments through tax software work, I'd recommend using https://claimyr.com. I was on hold with the IRS for HOURS trying to figure out some payment issues with my previous filing through H&R Block until I found this service. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c They hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you back when an agent is ready to talk. Saved me from wasting an entire afternoon on hold! The IRS agent I spoke with confirmed that the Rakuten cash back only applies to the software fee, not your tax payment.
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Edwards Hugo
•How does this even work? Seems like magic that they can somehow keep your place in line with the IRS.
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Gianna Scott
•This sounds like a scam. There's no way someone else can wait in the IRS queue for you. They're probably just making money off desperate people who don't want to wait on hold.
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Dylan Fisher
•They use a specialized call system that maintains your position in the queue. When you sign up, they add your call to their system which holds your place in line, and then they call you when an agent picks up. It's not actually magic - just smart use of call technology. No scam at all - they just solved a real problem people have with IRS wait times. I was skeptical too, but it really works. They don't have access to any of your personal information, they just connect you with the IRS agent when one becomes available.
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Gianna Scott
I take back what I said above. I tried Claimyr today after spending TWO HOURS on hold with the IRS trying to resolve an issue with my payment through H&R Block last year. Within 45 minutes, I got a call back and was talking to an actual IRS agent! Didn't have to sit there listening to that awful hold music. The agent confirmed that Rakuten cash back only applies to the software purchase, not tax payments. Honestly though, I'm just happy I didn't waste my entire day on hold.
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Alfredo Lugo
Pro tip: If you're choosing between H&R Block and TurboTax mainly for the Rakuten deal, check both services before deciding. Sometimes TurboTax offers better cash back percentages than H&R Block. Right now H&R Block is higher at 16%, but that can change throughout tax season. I've seen TurboTax go up to 20% cash back at times.
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Emma Morales
•Thanks for this! Do you know how often the cash back percentages change? Should I wait until closer to the filing deadline to see if the rates go up?
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Alfredo Lugo
•The cash back percentages typically change every 2-4 weeks, sometimes more frequently during peak tax season. They usually increase as we get closer to April 15th, but there's no guarantee. Last year the highest rates were actually in mid-March, then they dropped slightly in April. If you don't need to file immediately, checking back every week or so might help you catch a better rate. Just don't cut it too close to the deadline in case of technical issues.
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Sydney Torres
Don't forget you can also use coupons WITH the Rakuten cash back! I found a code for 25% off H&R Block Premium which stacked with the 16% Rakuten cash back. Just Google "H&R Block coupon codes 2025" and try a few until you find one that works.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•This worked for me! Found a coupon for 20% off and it stacked with the Rakuten cash back. Ended up paying like $79 for Premium instead of $119, then got about $12 back through Rakuten. Every bit helps when you're paying taxes!
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