Has anyone used Jackson Hewitt for tax filing? Getting different refund results than TurboTax and H&R Block

Thx for explaining! I'm curious - is there any liability if Jackson Hewitt made an error? Like if the IRS comes back later and says I actually owed money, would I be on the hook for penalties or would Jackson Hewitt cover that since it was their calculation?

If the IRS determines there's an error and you owe additional tax, you'll be responsible for the tax amount plus any interest that accrued. Most tax preparation services offer some form of accuracy guarantee, but read the fine print - they typically only cover penalties and interest resulting from calculation errors, not the actual tax you should have paid. Jackson Hewitt does offer audit assistance, so if you're audited, they should help explain their calculations to the IRS. But ultimately, the taxpayer is responsible for the accuracy of their return, even when using a paid preparer.

Does it actually work with all the major tax services? And how secure is it - I'm always nervous about uploading my tax docs anywhere.

This sounds interesting but how much does it cost? I'm already out money from trying multiple tax services and don't want to spend more just to figure out why they're different.

It absolutely works with all the major services including TurboTax, H&R Block, and Jackson Hewitt - it even covers some of the smaller ones like FreeTaxUSA and TaxSlayer. They use bank-level encryption for all document uploads, and they don't store your actual documents after analysis (their privacy policy is super clear about this). It's actually pretty affordable, especially considering how much you could save by finding the right deductions. I can't remember the exact pricing, but it was way less than what I saved by finding that missing deduction. Definitely worth it for the peace of mind alone.

They use an automated system that continually redials the IRS for you using their algorithm. When it gets through, it calls your phone and connects you directly to the IRS line that it's reached. So you're definitely talking to actual IRS agents - not some third party. The reason it works is pretty simple - their system can make hundreds of call attempts per hour while you'd only be able to manually redial a few times before giving up. It's basically just automating the frustrating redial process we'd all do manually.

Wait how does this actually work? The IRS phone line is always busy - how do they get you through?

This sounds like a scam. Nobody can magically get through to the IRS when their lines are jammed. They probably just connect you with someone pretending to be the IRS.

They use an automated system that continually redials the IRS for you using their algorithm. When it gets through, it calls your phone and connects you directly to the IRS line that it's reached. So you're definitely talking to actual IRS agents - not some third party. The reason it works is pretty simple - their system can make hundreds of call attempts per hour while you'd only be able to manually redial a few times before giving up. It's basically just automating the frustrating redial process we'd all do manually

Did you use their in-person service or the online software? I've heard their in-person preparers are hit or miss depending on experience.

I used their in-person service at one of their Walmart locations. The preparer seemed experienced but later when I had problems and went back, I found out she had only been working there for 3 months. Their more experienced staff probably would have caught the mistake. The online software might be more consistent since it's the same system for everyone, but the human element at the physical locations introduces a lot of variability in my experience.

Thanks for the insider info! Checking my forms again, I think it might be the education credit. I'm taking night classes and paid about $2000 in tuition last year. TurboTax asked about education but somehow didn't apply the credit even though I answered all the questions. Does Jackson Hewitt have good support if the IRS questions anything?

That's almost certainly what happened then! The education credits can be worth up to $2,500 depending on your situation, which would explain the difference you're seeing. TurboTax and H&R Block sometimes have more complex question paths for education credits and it's easy to answer something that disqualifies you accidentally. Jackson Hewitt does offer audit support if the IRS has questions. They can't represent you legally, but they'll explain their calculations and help you respond to IRS notices. Their Basic Audit Assistance comes standard with all returns, and they have more comprehensive protection you can purchase. For education credits specifically, just make sure you have your 1098-T form from your school as documentation.