What do I need to know about using H&R Block for first-time tax filing?

Going to an H&R Block office versus using their online software really depends on your comfort level with taxes and budget. Since it's your first time filing, having someone walk you through the process might be helpful, but it will cost more than the DIY online option. For your situation with a W-2 job and some side income, their online Deluxe version would likely cover everything you need. That side gig income of $2,400 will need to be reported as self-employment income even without tax forms - the IRS still expects you to report all income regardless of documentation. You'll likely need to fill out a Schedule C for that. If you're anxious about making mistakes, their online version offers an option where you can start for free, and if you get stuck, you can have a tax pro review your return or take over completely.

I was in a similar situation last year trying to figure out my taxes with a mix of W-2 and freelance income. After trying to use H&R Block's software and getting stuck on some confusing questions about business expenses, I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game-changer. It analyzed my tax documents and gave me step-by-step guidance on what to claim for my side hustle. The coolest part was how it explained which of my expenses were deductible for my specific situation - saved me from making some mistakes that could have triggered an audit.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai that the other commenter recommended. I was skeptical but decided to give it a shot with my complicated return (W-2 plus three different 1099s from freelance work). I uploaded my docs and it immediately caught that I was missing a home internet deduction that applied to my situation. Ended up saving me about $340 on my taxes! It also explained exactly how to enter everything in H&R Block's software which was super helpful since their interface can be confusing. Definitely worth checking out if you're feeling unsure about your return.

If you're struggling to get answers from H&R Block's customer service (like I was), I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to actually get through to them. I spent HOURS trying to talk to someone at H&R Block about a specific tax credit question and kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold. With Claimyr, I got through to an actual human in about 15 minutes. They also have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Seriously saved me from losing my mind during tax season.

Update on my previous comment - I actually tried Claimyr after posting that skeptical reply because my H&R Block situation got desperate (they made a mistake on my return and I couldn't get through to anyone). I hate admitting I was wrong but this thing actually works. Got through to an H&R Block tax specialist in about 20 minutes after trying unsuccessfully for two days on my own. They fixed the error on my return which would have caused me to miss out on about $570 of my refund. Sometimes you gotta eat your words I guess!

H&R Block isn't bad but I personally prefer going with a local CPA instead. I used H&R for years and always felt like I was getting someone who just took their basic tax course and was working seasonal. Last year switched to a local accountant who charges about the same as H&R Block's office visit but seems way more knowledgeable about deductions. Just something to consider!

Anyone ever use H&R Block's audit protection? I'm wondering if it's worth adding to my return this year. Had a friend who got audited last year and it sounded like a nightmare.

As someone who was in your exact shoes two years ago, I'd recommend starting with H&R Block's online software first - it's way cheaper than the office visit and you can always upgrade to get help from a tax pro if you get stuck. For your situation with W-2 plus side gig income, their Deluxe version should handle everything you need. The key thing about that $2,400 side income - you absolutely need to report it even without tax forms. The IRS considers any income over $400 from self-employment taxable. You'll need to file a Schedule C, but don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. Pro tip: If you made any purchases for that side work (gas, supplies, phone bills, etc.), keep track of those as they're likely deductible business expenses that can reduce what you owe. Even if your records aren't perfect, estimate what you can reasonably justify. H&R Block's online version has pretty good guidance for first-timers, and if you get overwhelmed, you can always have one of their pros review your work before filing. Way better than jumping straight into the expensive office visit when you might not even need it!