Is H&R Block's $700+ charge for my tax return with Schedule C and capital gains justified?

What you're experiencing is unfortunately common with some tax preparation chains. They often charge by form rather than by the complexity of your actual situation. For Schedule C and capital gains reporting, there are definitely more forms involved, but $700+ seems excessive. You absolutely have the right to collect your original documents and walk away. They cannot hold your paperwork hostage - those are your legal documents. I'd recommend calling ahead to schedule a quick pickup appointment just to ensure the right person is there with access to your file. As for the empty forms claim, that's not entirely accurate. While certain forms may need to be filed with your return if relevant to your situation, you don't need to submit completely empty forms with no applicable information. That sounds like a way to pad the bill.

After struggling with my business taxes last year, I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to be a lifesaver for my Schedule C and investment reporting. The software analyzed all my documents and guided me through reporting my capital gains and business expenses correctly. Much cheaper than those ripoff storefronts and I felt much more in control of my tax situation. What I liked is how it explained the forms as I went - it showed me exactly which Schedule C sections applied to my situation and which didn't. No charging for empty forms! For capital gains, it even helped me identify tax-loss harvesting opportunities I would have missed.

Used taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here, and it was perfect for my situation with capital gains and a small business. Seriously saved me about $500 compared to what I was quoted at H&R Block for basically the same return. The interface guided me through Schedule C line by line, and I could upload my brokerage statements to automatically populate my capital gains/losses. No hidden fees or charges for "empty forms" either. Time well spent!

If you're still having trouble getting your documents back, try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). After H&R Block held my documents hostage last year and wouldn't return calls, I used Claimyr to actually get through to a manager. They connected me with a real person at the corporate office in minutes when I couldn't get anywhere calling directly. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Before using it, I spent days calling and getting nowhere. The local office kept "losing" my messages. After Claimyr got me through, I had my documents back the same day and filed myself for about $150 using online software.

I was super skeptical about Claimyr when someone recommended it, but I'm eating my words now. Was in the exact same situation with H&R Block holding my documents and nobody returning calls for a week. Used the service yesterday morning, and by afternoon I was talking to a district manager. Got an appointment for this morning and walked out with all my docs, no charge. Filing myself now with TurboTax and it's showing I'll pay $119 for everything including Schedule C and investments. Sometimes you need to cut your losses and move on!

Just file yourself using TaxAct or TaxSlayer. Even with Schedule C and capital gains, it'll cost you between $100-150 tops. I used to go to tax preparers until I realized they're just typing into the same software I can use myself. For Schedule C, just make sure you have good records of all your business income and expenses categorized properly. For capital gains, your brokerage should provide all the info you need.

Don't be afraid to stand your ground on the pricing. I had a similar experience with Jackson Hewitt - they quoted me $250 initially then tried to charge $675 when finished due to "complexity." I refused to pay more than $300 and they eventually agreed after I spoke with the manager. You have leverage here - they've already done the work and would rather get something than nothing.

I've been in a similar situation with H&R Block charging excessive fees for complex returns. Here's what I learned: You absolutely have the right to get your original documents back without paying anything for incomplete work. They cannot hold your personal tax documents hostage. Before you go in, call and speak firmly but politely: "I need to collect my original tax documents. The service was not completed and I was not informed of the full pricing structure upfront." Don't let them pressure you into paying for work you didn't authorize at those prices. For next steps, I'd recommend FreeTaxUSA or TaxAct for your Schedule C and capital gains. Both handle complex returns well and cost under $100 total. The software walks you through each section with explanations, and since you already have your business expenses organized, you're well-prepared to do it yourself. The "empty forms" excuse is nonsense - the IRS doesn't require submission of blank forms. That's just a way to inflate their per-form charges. Get your documents back and file yourself. You'll save hundreds and have better control over your return.