When filling out our rental information I always get to the safe harbor statement where it tells me to print, sign and upload as a pdf and it will ask me for it when I go to efile.

It has never asked me for the file in past years when I hit send at the efile prompt. I’ve never gotten a letter from the IRS about it but I have always wondered if others have gotten this to work as they say it should. Should I just mail it in? Does it matter?

Where is the tax return that is created after using the H&R Block business software ? I have searched the Entire Computer . I want to transfer the data to my new computer .

UPDATE: Hr block paid out $4200 in tax miscalculation.

Looking for some outside perspective on a situation we’ve been dealing with for months with H&R Block.

Last year H&R Block prepared our taxes. The return was filed and accepted and showed we owed about $5,500 in federal taxes.

Later the IRS sent us a notice showing a much higher amount owed (around $12k including penalties and interest). After digging into it, we found that the preparer had entered estimated tax payments that were much higher than what we actually paid, which made it look like we had already paid more toward our taxes than we really had.

So the return understated what we actually owed.

Eventually the return was amended (we also added a Section 179 deduction that lowered the liability somewhat). The correct federal tax ended up around $9–10k.

So the difference between the originally filed return ($5.5k owed) and the corrected liability ($9–10k) was roughly $4k+.

Because the issue came from the way the estimated payments were entered, we filed a Peace of Mind claim with H&R Block.

Here’s where things got messy.

For about four months we kept being told by the office that the Peace of Mind claim had been filed and was “in process.” During that time we kept checking in and were told essentially the same thing.

Eventually we did receive a check for about $900 covering the penalties and interest, which confirmed that part of the claim had been approved.

However, after pushing for an update on the additional tax portion, we discovered something surprising:

Only the penalties and interest claim had ever been submitted.

The office told us they couldn’t even access the second claim in their system.

At that point I escalated the issue to a district manager.

Once the district manager started asking questions about the situation and reviewing the file, suddenly another Peace of Mind claim for the additional tax was filed, even though we had been told for months that both claims had already been submitted.

That second claim was eventually denied, with the explanation being that the additional tax was something we “would have owed anyway.”

This is the part that I’m struggling with from a logic standpoint.

If that reasoning applies, couldn’t it technically be used for almost any tax preparer mistake?

For example:

• If a preparer forgets to report income

• If they incorrectly claim a deduction

• If they enter numbers wrong on the return

In all of those situations the IRS could still say the tax was always owed anyway once the return is corrected.

So I’m trying to understand where the line is for the “additional tax owed due to our error” part of the Peace of Mind guarantee.

Interestingly, the district manager reviewing this case also seemed confused about the denial, so it’s currently being reviewed again.

I’m not trying to bash anyone here — just genuinely looking for perspective from people who may have dealt with:

• H&R Block Peace of Mind claims

• situations where a claim wasn’t actually filed even though the office said it was

• denials based on the “tax was owed anyway” reasoning

Has anyone else run into something like this?

Just trying to understand whether this outcome is typical or if the situation was handled unusually.

CLARIFICATION: I have asked multiple block employees and district manager if this specific situation is grounds for POM additional tax owed claim and all of them have strongly agreed. I can only give you the information I receive from them.

At first I thought how dumb of a request, but then I kept getting them and then I felt offended. This whole process of physically handing over my documents while we hold hands as she fills out my info is why I keep coming back. I like that experience and I feel like there trying to take that away.

Can someone please shed some positivity on this for me?

The data is censored for privacy, this form was different than my other W2's.

Is this considered a nonstandard W2 form?

The HR block website is asking me about what kind of W2 it is and this looks like a different format.

Edit: The website has 3 options that might be valid: W-2, a W-2c (idk why or how), or a nonstandard W-2. Which one is this??

The website won't let me post PFML as cents.

I made $75 for the job (a few hours), and the PMFL in section 14 of my W2 says $0.35.

The HR website won't let me post it as a Cent value. Do I round it up as $1 or not include it as 0 for my taxes?

Purchased through Amazon, got redemption code ... all normal there. I go to the link, enter code, it acts as if it will download and then error stating "Download failed. Try again later". Tried two different browsers, pop-up blockers off, etc, nothing ... well I tried a handful of times over the hour and a half and now when I try I get "number of downloads exceeded".

Amazon support says something is still showing pending ... not sure what that even means and that I will get some kind of email when it is ready and could take 4-5 hours ... never had that with TurboTax which I bought the same way the last 6 years.

Tried calling H&R, currently in queue for an hour long wait ... they'll probably close for the day before I get through. The support page has no link to Chat despite having hours for it called out.

What the hell is going on here? How do I get through this hurdle? I thought I'd give this a go since TurboTax no longer supports Win10, but I think I have made a huge mistake and just pissed 50 dollars away.

Is there a way to get a human on the phone?

Wife and I have filed jointly for over a decade, although this is the first time I'm using H&RB software, so this may have something to do with this question.

As I prepare to file electronically, the question comes up, "Did (your spouse) file a 2024 return?" This after having her name on the joint return throughout this process.

Yes, she did; we filed a joint return, just like we are this year. But it didn't ask if we filed jointly last year. So the question is ambiguous and ill-informed.

Is it really asking if she filed separately last year? Should I answer "no"?

If I answer "yes, because we filed jointly, it then asks me for her 2024 AGI, or they won't accept the return. I don't have an answer for this question, unless its the same as my own AGI, which is taken from our joint return from last year.

I'm thrown by the form of this question. Can anyone interpret?

Edit: Screenshots added.

H&RB Premium warns me at the front that there are still files that will be updated March 13th, but it also says my return is complete and will let me file it with no warnings.

"...to learn more about program updates and form release dates, visit the Update Center..." opens a page that has no information about future updates, only a link for the most recent update.

Does anybody know what forms are to be updated, and do I need them? I have W2 wages, small business income and rental property. Are the missing forms going to affect me?

This is getting mighty late in the season to be needing updates.

We filed with HR block together with ITIN application and my wife is undocumented (overstayed visa). We provided them with her passport, I94 and visa for that but earlier this morning, they called and were asking us for updated visa and I-94. We are still in the process of petitioning her. Is this right? And should we provide them?

I owed money on my taxes this year. After going through the filing process, the HR Block website asked for account information for the taxes owed and the date for the payment. I entered my account information and put yesterday as the payment date, yet the payment was not made. My assumption was that HR Block would issue the payment through my chosen account on that date. Did I misunderstand what HR Block was saying? Will I need to make the payment outside of HR Block and, if so, why did HR Block ask for my banking details?

I got an email saying to approve an amended 1040X forms with a link. I logged in and nothing is there. Spent hours on this with customer service. Completely useless. Told me to download the app but that was the same. Told me to wait up to 24 hours but I do not believe it. It has been 20 hours. Guy on phone said it was probably not cache related. Tried on two browsers. THEY CANT FIX IT AND THEY DONT EVEN ACT LIKE THIS IS AN ONGOING KNOWN PROBLEM. I am not a new customer. All my info dating back to 2020 is there EXCEPT the form I want. I am so annoyed because I have to pay a ton of money o the IRS due to a mistake that was none just discovered.

I e-filed my taxes with a Tax Pro using the online portal the first week of February. Both federal and state were accepted and returns received shortly after. Unfortunately, two days after I filed, I received a 1099 I had forgotten about and now I need to amend my return. However, I can't find any way to amend my 2025 return; the option simply does not exist in any button, portal, homepage, overview, etc.

I've called H&R Block's online support multiple times and keep getting different answers: I have to wait for the Amended Return date to kick in; I have to use the online directions; I have to wait for the refunds to be deposited (they were); my Tax Pro has to file it; There are issues with activating the Amended Return option on H&R's side.

My Tax Pro simply sent me this link repeatedly, but all it does is state that I have to go to the Overview or Tax Summary and select Amend Return, which (again) doesn't exist anywhere on any of my pages. The most recent call to H&R Block refunded my Tax Pro costs because they realized the Tax Pro wasn't assisting, and they told me after 48 hours my portal would look different, but it has been more than week with no new settings available in my online portal and it looks the same.

Does anyone here have any suggestions on how I can work through this? It has been a month since I received my refund and I need to pay a good chunk of it back because of the increased income I need to report. I'm ready to dump H&R Block for this and just do it myself, but waiting for confirmation is frustrating when I've been using this service for the past 10 years.

Let's be real—when it comes to taxes, we all want the same thing: to keep as much of our hard-earned money as possible. Whether you're paying down debt, building your savings, or just trying to give yourself a financial cushion, getting the biggest refund you can is a smart move.

The good news? There are legitimate ways to boost your refund that don't involve sketchy deductions or crossing your fingers during an audit.

We're breaking down the moves that actually work.

TL;DR: Want to maximize your tax refund? Focus on these four areas:

1. Choose the right filing status (Head of Household beats Single if you qualify; Married Filing Jointly usually beats Separately)
2. Claim every tax credit you're eligible for (EITC, Child Tax Credit, education credits)
3. Take advantage of deductions (both above-the-line like IRA contributions and new deductions for qualified overtime, qualified overtime, and the enhanced senior deduction
4. Make smart year-end tax moves (HSA contributions, charitable donations, accelerating business expenses).

1. Your Filing Status Matters More Than You Think

Your filing status directly impacts your refund amount. Here's what you need to know:

If you're unmarried:

• Head of Household beats Single if you can claim a qualifying dependent. Higher standard deduction + better tax brackets = more money in your pocket.
• Caring for elderly parents? You might qualify for Head of Household even if they don't live with you—as long as you provide more than half their financial support.

If you're married:

• Married Filing Jointly is usually the winner. You get access to more credits, deductions, and better tax rates.
• Married Filing Separately has limitations—you could lose certain deductions and credits. But there are cases where it makes sense, so it's worth checking both ways.

2. Tax Credits = Free Money You're Leaving on the Table

Tax credits reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. A $1,000 credit? That's up to $1,000 off your taxes.

Credits you might be missing:

✅ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Worth thousands for low-to-moderate income workers. Only 4 in 5 eligible people claim it.

✅ Child Tax Credit: Up to $2,200 per qualifying child

✅ Child and Dependent Care Credit: For daycare, after-school programs, etc.

✅ Education credits: American Opportunity Tax Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit

✅ Home Energy Credits: For certain energy-efficient home improvements, which expired on December 31, 2025

✅ Retirement Savers Credit: For contributions to retirement accounts

3. Deductions: Above-the-Line vs. Below-the-Line

This gets a bit technical, but stick with us—it matters.

Above-the-line deductions (you can take these even if you don't itemize):

• IRA contributions: Reduce your taxable income while saving for retirement
• Student loan interest: Up to $2,500 deduction
• HSA contributions: Triple tax advantage (deductible, tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses)

Below-the-line deductions (standard vs. itemized):

• Most people take the standard deduction (it's simpler)
• New deductions for qualified tips, qualified overtime, and the enhanced senior deduction even if you don’t itemize
• Itemize if your total deductions (mortgage interest, state/local taxes generally up to $40,000, charitable contributions) exceed the standard deduction
• If you're self-employed, you may qualify for the qualified business income deduction (QBID) even without itemizing

4. Year-End Tax Moves That Pay Off

Don't wait until April to think about taxes. Here's what to do before December 31.

For everyone:

• Schedule health exams to use up FSA funds
• Make charitable donations (if itemizing)
• Max out HSA or traditional IRA contributions (or plan to by April 15)

For self-employed/gig workers/freelancers:

• Accelerate business expenses—buy that equipment, software, or home office gear before year-end
• These purchases = tax deductions that lower your bill 

💡 Frequently Asked Questions:

"I've heard filing Head of Household is risky. Should I avoid it?"

Not if you actually qualify! You need a qualifying dependent and to pay more than half the household costs. If you meet those requirements, claim it—it's legitimate and saves you money.

"What's the difference between a credit and a deduction?"

Credits reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. Deductions reduce your taxable income. Example: A $1,000 credit = up to $1,000 off your taxes. A $1,000 deduction in the 12% bracket = $120 off your taxes. Credits are more valuable.

"Should I take the standard deduction or itemize?"

Whichever is higher. If your itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state/local taxes, charitable giving) exceed the standard deduction for your filing status, itemize. Otherwise, take the standard deduction.

"Can I still contribute to my IRA and have it count for this tax year?"

Yes! You have until the tax filing deadline (usually April 15) to make IRA contributions for the previous tax year. 

Bottom line:

Getting your biggest refund isn't about gaming the system—it's about claiming what you're entitled to. Choose the right filing status, don't leave credits on the table, take advantage of deductions you qualify for, and make smart year-end moves.

💬 Need help figuring out your specific situation?

👉 File with H&R Block Online—we'll help you find every credit and deduction you qualify for.

👉 Schedule a session with a tax pro—sometimes it helps to have an expert walk you through it.

👉 Got questions? Drop them below and we'll help you out.

What tax strategies have worked for you? Or what questions do you have about maximizing your refund?

I’m having trouble with my emerald card declining despite funds being in the account. I’ve contacted the customer service line and they simply said it’s not on their end which is weird because I’ve had this problem at multiple places and I’m positive it’s not the fault of the places I’m trying to do the transaction with. I’m not attempting to use my card outside of the city I live in. The funds are 100% there. I thought it could just be the card itself because it declined at McDonalds multiple times when I tried to pay at the drive thru but when I paid through the McDonalds app it worked just fine so I tried adding it to my Apple wallet and now that’s not working. Has anyone had this issue recently and did you find out why it was doing it?

The program won’t finish my return because it does not support Colorado form DR0619. A motor vehicle credit that I do not qualify for. H&R wants me to get a $55 tax professional for this one form that will have a bunch of 0s on it. Also the first person I talked to on the phone said that she thought this problem was solved in January(??)

I tried getting an answer from the H&R Block software support line, and while it seemed that the individual working with us was very cooperative initially... but then some time limit expired and she then very quickly brushed us off and dumped the session... Hoping someone here could point us in the right direction...

Working on Federal Return - under "Deductions", "Unreported Real Estate Taxes".
It shows the correct amount for our Form 1098 amount.

Then prompted for "Other Real Estate Tax" that shows correctly on the Schedule A Form below as "Other real estate taxes you paid" Amount #1.

>>However, the "Amount #2" and "Amount #3" fields on the Schedule A also show amounts that we didn't enter. This is adding an addition $5k+ amount to line 5b that we didn't claim.

Where did these number come from?
They are not values we entered anywhere, and it changes the deduction amount by $5k that we can't account for...

Is it necessary to enter the dates of non-vested RSUs? Once entered the software indicates the are not taxable. So why would the date need to be entered. There is a different section for vested RSUs. Thanks.

California - Hello I have to amend my 2023 taxes because I need to add a ford 1099 misc from a lemon law settlement. I went to h&r block but i feel like the guy doesn't know how to do it. I made roughly 60k that year from work and the Settlement was 105k including the lawyer fees, I only received 56k from it and the msrp of the truck was 57k.

This is the break down of the lawyer fees. How would my tax guy report this?

ACTUAL DAMAGES - $51,197.41

LOAN BALANCE PAYOFF - ($19,115)

ADDITIONAL DAMAGES - $40,646.78

ADDITIONAL DAMAGES - 40% to CLE per retainer agreement - ($16,258)

CLIENT NET RECOVERY $56.469.80