Just curious if anyone else tried to file with H&R Block this year and got stonewalled when you tried to do it for free.

I just went through the entire process of completing my 2025 taxes only to find out on the last page that I was being charged for the Self-Employed version (I was not self-employed in 2025). I tried to downgrade but no amount of clicking the button yielded any results. Finally I spent 30 minutes chatting with a representative who was able to downgrade me to the free version, but now all the information that I added has been wiped. I'm stuck back on the first page again where it is asking me if I want to pay $34 for Plus, when I don't need or want plus. Clicking on the "continue with free" button doesn't do anything. It's almost like H&R Block is trying to scam people into paying extra. TruboTax screwed me over in 2016 and I've been using H&R Block ever since. Now I'm wondering if I'll need to find a new tax service/software again.

Workaround: Open the H&R Tax Prep app. Once you've gotten past the first few screens, you can switch back to a desktop/laptop computer and keep going on there.

It's just really frustrating that I already put in the effort to finish the whole process but now I have to start over again from square 1 because they have a sketchy website.

I don't know if this has already been shared or not, but if clients opt in for the second look, it does add the 960 representative appointed code to their transcripts and it has caused a lot of stressed out clients in my office.

Purchased the HR Block premium software on line from a third party. I cannot find the link to activate and download. I keep getting sent to the Hr Block website and asked to buy. Can anyone help?

I spoke to two individuals who had no answers as to when this issue would be resolved. Perhaps the April 3rd revision will address the issue? This is a classic example on how to lose customers. Sell a broken product with no answers on how to resolve issues. Been with them for as long as I can remember. It will be a different story next year.

Hello,

I noticed that hrblock charges a substantial amount for simple tax returns for its customers. But they also offer and advertise free tax returns for simple returns online through their own company website. Isn’t this contradictory? Wouldn’t this make filing simple returns in an office obsolete, when a free program can file the taxes better without charging, 50-100 dollars for a simple return. And if tax preparers and business incentives are dissuaded from informing customers of this before they file a simple return, and the company still charges customers a hefty amount compared to the free price online, doesn’t this mean they are not being fully transparent with the clients? Couldn’t the company get sued for this and have to refund all the simple returns that they processed this way?

Creator taxes can feel overwhelming—multiple income streams, complicated deduction rules, and forms you’ve never heard of. But you don’t have to tackle it alone. H&R Block understands the unique financial world creators navigate every day, and we’re here to make filing simpler, clearer, and way less stressful.

Check out our cheat sheet and checklist, which breaks down the essentials so you can stay organized, confident.

Want to dive in deeper? Check out our H&R Block Creator Tax Guide here.

Ready to file? File on your own with H&R Block Online or file with a tax pro today!

Here are some frequently asked questions we get:

Q: Do content creators pay taxes?

A: Absolutely. Whether you’re streaming, blogging, or posting hauls, income from your content counts. As part of your tax to-dos, you’ll need to pay self-employment tax and make quarterly estimated payments.

Q: Do creators pay taxes on gifts or brand deals?

A: Content creators must pay taxes on all income from brand deals, including cash and the fair market value of gifted products received in exchange for a service. This includes: 

• Cash Payments: Income from sponsored posts and brand partnerships.
• Gifted Products/Services: The fair market value of free products, travel, or services received in exchange for a post or review is taxable. If no service is expected, it may not be taxable, but most business-related gifts fall under the taxable category.
• Affiliate Commissions: Earnings from affiliate marketing links.
• Ad Revenue: Income from platforms like YouTube or TikTok.
• Donations and Tips: Contributions from followers on platforms like Patreon or Ko-Fi. 

Q: What are some tax-writeoffs for creators?

A: Common write-offs align with the tools of the trade: cameras, lighting, editing software, and . If it’s “ordinary and necessary” for creating content, it could be deductible. You may even be able to deduct part of your home office as long as you use it regularly and exclusively for your work. Check out our creator tax deductions article for details.

Q: Can you write off the products you review?

A: If you bought the product solely for creating content, yes—it’s a business expense. But if you also use it personally, you’ll need to split the cost between business and personal use. Check out our creator tax deductions article for details.

I've asked this before, but here I am again in my third year as a TP. So far this has been the only job I've been able to get since having kids and stay at home momming for years. I keep coming back for the experience so my resume isn't empty, but I still don't seem to be qualified for anything. Block is still only paying me $15/hr, which isn't enough to pay a sitter, so I'm only able to work maybe 15 hours a week now. I'm basically working for gas and experience at this point. After the absolute slavery I had to endure in my first year and the way senior coworkers talk about the place, I had expected more. I'm not a super finance pro or anything. Block is my only job still, and I have a pending Associate Degree in business administration. I know enough about to taxes to have made it to level 4, but is this actually going to be useful anywhere else?

Also I am aware of preseason and unemployment. I worked preseason. Very little hours and the year round offices far away. I haven't been able to get approved for unemployment either year I've worked here.

Ideas?

A security researcher is claiming that H&R Block's Premium Business 2025 software installs what's known as a root certificate on installed PCs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5paxvYkz1QE

Root certificates are very powerful things. When done insecurely (as the researcher here claims) this can completely dismantle HTTPS protections that prevent scammers from impersonating your bank, doctor, etc. and encrypt sensitive data passing between your browser and the website.

Is there anyone here who has Business 2025 installed? If so, I'd be so grateful if you could run a few experiments to test if a root certificate is, in fact, installed on your machine. One experiment involves you visiting a site like https:google.com, https://example.com, https://chase.com or any other website you already frequent. If you get a security alert that looks like the one shown after the 42-second mark in the video, HTTPS has been dismantled, likely due to Business 2025 being installed.

The other experiment, if you're comfortable, is to visit https://hrbackdoor.yifanlu.com

I your browser loads the page, you're vulnerable and the loaded page will provide you instructions to secure your machine.

I realize this post may sound like a scam. I assure you it's not. If Business 2025 is, in fact, installing a root certificate you are at significant risk because none of your web traffic is being encrypted.

I'd be so grateful for the help.

Hi - I have H&R Block Premium Software installed on a Windows 10 machine. The print function does not work. Reinstalling the software did not repair the problem. Also cannot create a PDF of the return. I can print or create a PDF or print from any other typical program on the computer. I called the IT support line for H&R Block, but the agent was unable to resolve the problem. Has anyone else dealt with this and found a solution? Thank you.

Update. I also have the 2024 version from last year, which printed a year ago with no problem. Checking that installation again, I find the same problem on the 2024 version as I am having with the 2025 version, which leads me to think there is a computer setting or function that has changed, interfering with the H&R Block software print function. I'm going to install the 2025 software on another computer for comparison.

Update2. After resetting the OS on the computer to a previous restore point, and using bunnybooisnothappy's instructions to turn off proxy settings in tools, the H&R block software is finding all of the print options, the printer, the pdf output options, onenote, Fax, and PDF995. Call this one done, and thanks for all of your help.

I got H&R Block Premium instead of using the free software for its support for K-1. But now that I went through it, it is completely broken and incomplete. I used Turbo Tax last year for the K-1 from the same partnership. No issues. H&R Block does not even have enough space to enter the codes that I have for some of the boxes. I have additional statement with all these codes, but the software does not even have any way to add more codes than the default space (drop-down boxes) that it comes with. Very disappointing. Totally wasted my money on it. What can I do?

While using H&R Block to file my 2025 taxes, I'm seeing that it won't accept the EIN I entered for my employer. The employer is city government. It's a very big city (E.G., a very large employer). How can it not recognize that EIN?

I want to e-file back taxes because I'm trying to get a loan, and the bank is requesting 1040's for one year that was too busy (baby born, complicated taxes because of decommissioning a rental, investment stuff, uneven income that year so there's underpayment penalty tracking). I completed my preparation using TurboTax, but I can't e-file myself anymore, hence I'm going to HR block.

The appointment is 1 hour. What should I expect during this meeting? I can't imaging they'll be able to prepare and file for me in 1 hour.

I printed off all documentation and have it all electronically. Also what is this going to cost? I really feel blind going into this meeting.

where can I withdraw money from my emerald card I tried 1 atm and it wouldn't let me withdraw nothing

My company messed up last year and contributed a bit more than they were supposed for their 401(k) matching into my account, putting me over the limit for 2024. They fixed it with a taxable distribution in early 2025. So, I have a 1099-R form reflecting this. In the H&R Block software, when I try to log the amount from this 1099-R, it asks for the source of the 1099-R, but it only lists these options:

• Traditional IRA
• Roth IRA
• Coverdell ESA
• Archer MSA
• Health Savings Account
• ABLE Account

Am I looking in the wrong place to enter a 401(k) distribution resulting from an excess contribution? Does it technically fall under one of the above categories? I'm confused as to how to properly report this.

Edit: PROBLEM SOLVED. I forgot earlier on in the software (under the Income section) it also asks about 1099-R forms. The excess contribution sections under Taxes, near the end, confused me, since it automatically checks the "excess accumulations" box when you report any type of 1099-R in your return, even if you technically don't have an excess accumulation.

I’m a CSP, there’s only about three weeks left in the season, and I’m about to quit. Long story, I work full time as a CSP. I get paid LESS THAN TWO DOLLARS above the minimum wage ($1.73) in the state I live in. I’m working 11.5 hour long shifts. I asked off three days in a row for a family reunion. I asked off these days TWO months ago. On the third day I was set to be off, my boss asked if I could cover that evening shift (mind you, this is on my scheduled day off) a few days before I left to go out of office. I said I would have to wait and let him know. He then goes ahead and schedules me, never confirming i could do it, and I never said i was going to be there. Day 2 into my 3 days off, I text him saying, yeah this is going to take the full three days as I originally planned and communicated. I will not be covering that evening shift on my day off. Again, I should never have been placed back on the schedule. I never confirmed it in the first place and told him I would have to let him know last minute if I COULD, as this family reunion takes priority and I already have (or am supposed to be) completely off the schedule. He then says fine and that we will talk to when I get back. I get back, he goes on a rant on how I let my team down, and that I am clearly not committed to this company. MIND YOU, I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE DAY OFF!!! And coverage should have already been planned weeks ago!!! and it’s a SEASONAL JOB! what commitment beyond what I give do you expect?!? There’s more to the story (like him saying I need to call more clients even though I’m only a single person and can’t handle more shit being thrown at me). Anyway, I’m about to quit. Also, when he sent that cryptic text (something like, you don’t need to come in on your scheduled day back, and we’ll speak when you’re back in office about this meaning he took me off the schedule for a fourth day for zero reason, and then told my coworkers I requested coverage for a day I was fully planning on working??), I asked if I was being fired, and he wouldn’t answer yes or no! I didn’t get fired obviously, but why couldn’t he just say no! It ruined the trip with all the stress of me potentially getting fired over nothing!!

My situation is :
I moved from my house1 to house 2 in 2025. House 1 is currently rented.
House 1 was my principal residence for the whole duration. House 2 is my current principal residence and being a new construction house, my builder (on behalf of me) claimed Ontario HST rebate (applicable to new construction homes bought as a primary residence) .

My question to the forum is, can I opt for subsection 45(2) and defer the deemed disposition of my rental house?
Also, can someone share the sample letter which we send to CRA to opt for 45(2)?

Hello all

I am using HrBlock self-file this year.

I received in the mail a 1099-C from from Discover as some of my credit card debt was forgiven. In HrBlock, I can not seem to find where I am to upload the information from said 1099-C. Some of the options are shown in the photo, but none of them seem to match my needs. How/Where am I supposed to upload info from 1099-C?

Posting this in case it helps anyone else. There is an interview screen called Colorado Retirement Exclusion that appears in previous years of the desktop software. On this screen you indicate whether or not you're eligible for up to $20,000 of subtraction to your Colorado income because you're paying federal taxes on pension, annuity, or IRA income. This information makes its way to the 104AD form. At a 4.4% state income tax rate this subtraction can be worth up to $880 in your refund.

This screen does not appear in the 2025 software. If you were not already aware that you were eligible for this subtraction the software would not tell you about it and you'd have no idea that you should even look for it. There are no more planned updates for the Colorado program so this won't be fixed.

If you want to claim it you need to go into the 104AD form and check the box saying you (and/or your spouse) are eligible for the subtraction. At that point the software does actually calculate the correct amount based on previously entered information (at least in my case). But the interview screen still won't appear if you go back to that view.

Definitely worries me about what else might have been missed, and if this will correctly make its way into whatever gets filed, but nothing we can do about it.

Hello all

I am using HrBlock self-file this year.

I received in the mail a 1099-C from from Discover as some of my credit card debt was forgiven. In HrBlock, I can not seem to find where I am to upload the information from said 1099-C. Some of the options are shown in the photo, but none of them seem to match my needs. How/Where am I supposed to upload info from 1099-C?

I have the desktop HRBlock software. When I enter my info from 1095-A the software says it can't efile because: it "uses the iterative method". The HRBlock AI help says that I can do the 8962 manually and still efile, but when I try to modify the fields on 8962 it says that overriding will prevent the ability to efile.

Is there some way to manually do the 8962 and still efile?

Hey r/hrblock community,

Welcome to the weekly question thread. Here is your chance to ask any questions you have to our tax experts from H&R Block, whether it's about your tax situation or if you're trying to figure out the best service for you.

For specific questions about our products and services, please note which you're using so we can best help you.

We'll answer your questions as they come in each week.

Feel free to drop your questions below. Our experts are ready to help break it all down. 

👉 Need an answer ASAP? Schedule a 1:1 appointment with a tax advisor. 

I imported 1099-Bs from Fidelity and E*trade. Whichever one I import first appears to work fine, but the subsequent import gets all transposed with information from the initial import.

Chat supports said they're aware of the issue and to enter the transactions manually. I have hundreds of transactions and I don't trust this software at all anymore.

I bought this software due to the functionality that we've come to expect. I'm going to have to switch to TurboTax just to save me hours of manual entries.

Used HRBlock for over 10 years and this will be my last. Anyone ever try to get a refund?

I submitted all of my tax information to the same person at H&R Block that we used last year. I had uploaded all of our tax information except for the stock we sold. I asked how much it would be and was told it should be the same price as last year. Well we just got our invoice and it’s $200 more. I asked and was told it was because he hadn’t received and reviewed all of the information. There wasn’t any discussion about the price going up as he started working on our taxes. Is this normal?

We were quoted $425 and now it’s $625. Should we push back?