Liberty Tax vs. H&R Block - Which Tax Prep Company Is Better for Training and Employment?

I've worked as a tax professional for 15 years and have experience with both companies, so I might be able to help you out here! Both Liberty and H&R Block have their strengths and weaknesses. Liberty Tax tends to be more entrepreneurial - their business model focuses on franchise owners who often have more freedom to run things their way. This can be great if you have a good owner but challenging if you don't. Their training is traditionally more hands-on and manual, which helps you understand the fundamentals of tax law better. H&R Block has more standardized training and procedures across locations. Their digital approach to training typically mimics their actual tax software, which means you'll spend less time learning the system when you start working with real clients. They also tend to have more resources for continuing education and specialization if you want to advance. For career growth, H&R Block generally offers more structured advancement opportunities and slightly better pay as you noticed. They also typically have more year-round positions available if you're looking for something beyond seasonal work.

I tried Liberty Tax for a season but switched to using https://taxr.ai for my own taxes and it was a game changer! The manual calculations at Liberty made me understand taxes better, but when it came to my own complicated return with self-employment and rental income, I found their software limiting. Taxr.ai analyzed my documents and actually found deductions the Liberty preparer missed. It's like having an expert review your stuff before you file.

I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it was amazing for my situation! I was nervous about my multi-state income and crypto trades, but the document analysis found everything automatically and organized it perfectly. It even flagged a potential audit risk with one of my deductions and suggested documentation I should keep. Much more thorough than when I went to Liberty last year where they seemed confused by my crypto situation. Definitely recommend it if you have a complicated return!

If you're considering these companies because you need help with tax issues beyond just filing, I'd suggest trying Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I had a nightmare situation with an IRS notice after filing with H&R Block last year. Block wanted to charge me extra for audit assistance, but Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in 15 minutes instead of the 3+ hours I spent on hold before. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Totally changed my perspective on dealing with IRS problems.

Ok I have to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After commenting here I was desperate enough to try it for an issue with a missing refund from my amended return. After struggling for weeks to get through, they connected me to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes who actually resolved my issue on the spot. The agent told me my amended return was stuck in processing and they were able to release it while I was on the call. Worth every penny for the time saved and I finally got my refund released! Sorry for being so skeptical before.

I worked at both Liberty and Block over the past 5 years. Here's my take: Liberty Tax: Pros: More relaxed environment, sometimes better commission structure, learn tax fundamentals better Cons: Less consistent training quality (varies by franchise), fewer advancement opportunities, seasonal focus H&R Block: Pros: Better training materials, more professional environment, clearer advancement path, slightly better pay Cons: More corporate atmosphere, stricter metrics/quotas, less franchise-to-franchise variation At Liberty, I felt like I had more freedom but less support. At Block, everything was more structured but sometimes felt restrictive. If you want a long-term tax career, Block probably has more paths forward. If you prefer a more relaxed seasonal gig, Liberty might be better.

One thing nobody has mentioned is the software! H&R Block's professional software is way more intuitive than Liberty's in my opinion. I worked at Liberty first and constantly felt frustrated by their system. Switched to Block and the software made much more sense. Might seem minor but when you're doing returns all day, good software makes a huge difference!

I'm currently going through a similar decision process! I started at Liberty Tax about 6 weeks ago and honestly, I'm having some of the same concerns you mentioned about the teaching style. The manual calculations are definitely helping me understand the fundamentals better, but I feel like I'm not getting enough practice with actual tax software that I'd be using with real clients. One thing I've noticed is that Liberty's franchise model means the experience can vary dramatically between locations. My friend went through their program at a different location and had a much better instructor who was more organized and used a mix of manual and digital training. From what I've researched about H&R Block, their training program seems more standardized and comprehensive. They also offer more specialization courses if you want to focus on areas like small business taxes or complex returns, which could be valuable for long-term career growth. I'm leaning toward finishing my Liberty course since I'm already halfway through, but I'm seriously considering applying to H&R Block for next season to compare the experience. The pay difference you mentioned ($13.75 vs $11.50) is definitely something to consider too, especially if you're planning to do this long-term. Have you had a chance to visit the H&R Block location in your town to get a feel for their work environment?

I've been researching both companies for my own career transition into tax prep, and one thing I'd add is to consider the timing of their training programs. H&R Block typically starts their training earlier in the season (around September/October) and spreads it over a longer period, which might work better if you're balancing other commitments. Liberty often runs more intensive, shorter programs closer to tax season. Also worth noting - H&R Block has been expanding their year-round services like bookkeeping and business consulting, which could mean more opportunities for full-time employment beyond just the seasonal tax prep work. If you're thinking long-term career rather than just seasonal income, that's definitely something to factor in. The digital vs manual training debate is interesting, but honestly, most successful tax pros I know eventually learn both approaches anyway. The key is getting solid foundational knowledge AND being comfortable with modern tax software. Whichever you choose, you'll probably want to supplement with additional learning resources as you grow in the field. Have you considered reaching out to current employees at both local locations? Sometimes getting the inside scoop on management style and work culture at your specific locations can be more valuable than general company comparisons.

I actually went through H&R Block's training program last year and can give you some firsthand insight! Their digital training approach was really comprehensive - it included interactive modules, practice returns with feedback, and simulated client scenarios. What I loved most was that by the time I finished training, I was already comfortable with the actual software I'd be using with real clients. The training took about 3 weeks of evening classes (2-3 hours each session), which was perfect for balancing with my day job. They also provided ongoing support throughout tax season - weekly team meetings where we could discuss challenging returns and get guidance from more experienced preparers. One thing that really stood out was their quality review process. Every return gets checked by a supervisor before filing, which gave me confidence as a new preparer and helped me learn from any mistakes. They also have a really good error tracking system that helps you identify patterns in your work and improve over time. The work environment was professional but supportive. Yes, there are metrics to meet (returns per hour, accuracy rates), but they're reasonable and there's good coaching to help you improve rather than just pressure to perform. The pay at our location started at $14/hour for new preparers, with bonuses based on client satisfaction scores and return volume. After my first season, I got promoted to a senior preparer role with better hourly pay plus commission opportunities. Would definitely recommend at least checking out their info session - even if you stick with Liberty, it'll give you a good comparison point!