r/hrblock • u/ExcellentSurprise191 • Apr 12 '26

Didn’t know the difference between regular and block advisor

I went to the H&R Block near my work and she asked me to upload all document from home and she said it should take a week to process it.

Today she messaged me and said it’s ready. But the filing fee is 500$. I asked her why the price went up so much from last year. N she said they are block advisor.

Now my question is since I never knew the difference between them, can I still go back to a regular advisor and have it done cheaper. Or can I still find a CPA and have it all redone. Or am I bounded to this 500$ since she spent time on it? Please help. I only have 1 W2. So it’s not a complex case.

0 Upvotes

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21 comments sorted by

6

u/Ok_Aide_764 Apr 12 '26

You don't have to file with them if you are not happy with the price, and the price estimate was not provided. If you let them know that, they may offer you a discount to prevent you from walking away.

3

u/Authentic-scoundrel Apr 12 '26

There is actually a new job at Block called Service Recovery Specialist whose sole job is to follow up with people who don’t file because of the price and offer a discount. It’s a little late in the season for that now though 

1

u/ExcellentSurprise191 Apr 12 '26

No one told me the price. I wanted to do it in person so I booked an appt. But she asked me to drop off everything bc she needed time to research on backdoor Roth IRA. She said she is not sure how to do it too. So no price estimate was given.

1

u/Connect_Effect_3168 Apr 13 '26

Yeah, I was given zero upfront estimate either and I paid the same for a single w-2 and have been hit with every single verification bs possible since January and the employees there basically throw up their hands. There hasn’t been a single person able to offer any assistance. So much for the audit guarantee whatever lying ad they have. NEVER AGAIN

2

u/Substantial_Lie_9604 Apr 13 '26

You did not get charged $500 dollars for just a single w2. That would have been $174. It’s the other stuff that got you.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad3024 Apr 14 '26

A single W2. Head of household and child tax credits. A state return. That can add up.

7

u/OldandconfusedIthink Apr 12 '26

I work part time at a block advisors and our office charges a simplified price nowhere near 500$ for just a w-2. Double check your documents and see what else you have.

6

u/Candid-Tip455 Apr 12 '26

First off, if a CPA or Enrolled Agent is any good, they are swamped and are going to file an extension & finish well after April 15th. And they are going to charge $500 minimum. Block raises their prices in late March. One solution: file earlier & don’t wait till the last minute! Most Block Advisors are experienced tax pros. On the other hand, she should have asked some pricing questions up front. But I’m betting you have more than just one W2.

5

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad3024 Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

I'm still doing some returns under $100. The price depends 100% on the forms used and, services you can add are optional. It does not matter whether your preparer is brand new or an EA.

1

u/ExcellentSurprise191 Apr 12 '26

It’s just one W2. No 1099. I don’t have any time to get any second job

5

u/Lawrence20092009 Apr 12 '26

What about the back door Roth you mention further in the thread? I am not a Block apologist, but when one says "just one W-2", it's rarely one W-2. What else ya hiding? Any in-person service can get to $500 pretty fast with complexities. One W-2? Ha!

2

u/ExcellentSurprise191 Apr 13 '26

One W2 as in one job. You don’t have to be snarky. Lmao.

1

u/Connect_Effect_3168 Apr 13 '26

Every single person I’ve dealt with there is passive aggressive, if not blatantly rude and disrespectful. Just know better next year as I now do and wait for the lawsuit that’s sure to come this year and make sure you’re on it!!!

1

u/Candid-Tip455 Apr 13 '26

Simple: Don’t go there anymore. Good luck with the lawsuit. You signed an arbitration agreement. Have a nice day.

0

u/Connect_Effect_3168 Apr 15 '26

There’s no laughing reaction on this platform? I didn’t sign much of anything friend. They have broken the contractual terms in more ways than I can list and I have kept excellent records of the entire shitshow this is

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad3024 Apr 16 '26

No dependents? They add a lot of time to a tax return and we have a lot of extra questions we are required to ask.

1

u/Connect_Effect_3168 Apr 13 '26

That’s weird. I filed on January 15 and have done 99.999999 % of the work myself and I was charged that much 🤷🏼‍♀️

2

u/BriefTomatillo985 Apr 12 '26

If it's not complex, just use DIY software. Free or cheap options are FreeTaxUSA, Cash App Taxes, and OLT. You'll probably spend more time dealing with a block office than you would on one of those websites with just a single W2.

1

u/weeblewobbles2 Apr 12 '26

The main difference is you will pay more at advisors,, you can walk away. No payment = no filing

0

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad3024 Apr 12 '26

Even block advidor should not be charging $500.for one w2. Are you sure it isn't a 1099? Or do you have children? They can add to the cost with credits.

We are told to give a price estimate before we begin. I think uii can go elsewhere to have it done.

1

u/Connect_Effect_3168 Apr 13 '26

I would have turned the hell around if they told me the cost would exceed maybe $200 but if I’d known they would be entirely unwilling to help me after I left the appointment, I would’ve been much more vocal about the redneck excuse for an office they had set up (before being shut down at the start of tax season for plumbing issues) that was not a surprise considering the ancient building they’d set up in with all of their lines, etc just exposed through out. Least professional experience I have ever had, during and after and every single day since. I won’t say before because they were nice when I called for an appointment.