H&R Block 2021 software offer

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LadyGeek
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H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by LadyGeek »

It's that time again. I just received my first email offering H&R Block Deluxe + State software for $39.95. The software is released (becomes available for download) November 7.

Do I buy now and then regret not waiting until Black Friday deals roll around? Hard to say. Stay tuned.

Code: Select all

Product            Pre-order   MSRP
Basic               $14.95     $29.95
Deluxe + State      $39.95     $54.95
Premium             $59.95     $74.95
Premium & Business  $74.95     $89.95
Like last year, I was able to pare down the link to something generic. Unlike last year, they have one code for all versions. (Reference: Re: H&R Block 2020 software offer)

Code: Select all

https://www.hrblock.com/tax-software/deluxe-tax-software/?taxYear=2021
which is this: Deluxe Tax Preparation Software | H&R Block (see update in post below)

Last year's thread: H&R Block 2020 software offer

Update: Link modified, see below.
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sandramjet
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by sandramjet »

Interesting... I just got an email for $20 off -- which is 34.95 for deluxe+state; 24.95 deluxe only, no state. I am agonizing over same thing... now or later? I will probably wait, first because it may get better if I wait, second because the first version available in the past has been often needing several updates before it gives me a realistic answer....especially if any tax changes happen
hamhocs
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by hamhocs »

Looking back to 2020, the lowest price on Amazon was $22.49 on Nov 30 and Dec 1 for Deluxe + State. I used the Keepa chrome extenstion which shows past prices.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by jebmke »

I have regularly found deals in December <= $25 for the Deluxe package with one state.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by LadyGeek »

I checked the link this morning and the price jumped to $44.95. Perhaps I removed too much from the link in the first post? Here's one with a product key.

Code: Select all

https://www.hrblock.com/tax-software/deluxe-tax-software/?pricegroupkey=17B8BD9C&taxYear=2021&sku=Win_D2
which is this: Deluxe Tax Preparation Software | H&R Block
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EagertoLearnMore
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by EagertoLearnMore »

Usually on sale over Thanksgiving weekend at Amazon for less than $39.95 for deluxe + state.
I got the offer for $15 off, not $20.
moneyflowin
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by moneyflowin »

HR Block Deluxe+State is usually available for $18-25 if you wait it out. I've never paid more mid $20's for it. A couple of years back, it was available briefly for under $20
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by dodecahedron »

EagertoLearnMore wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:46 am Usually on sale over Thanksgiving weekend at Amazon for less than $39.95 for deluxe + state.
Yes, in recent years I have consistently gotten good Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals, typically around $20 (plus or minus a buck or so) for Block Deluxe plus State.

I will wait for Thanksgiving weekend.

Last year showed the folly of trying to do too much end-of-year fine-tuning tax planning, as there was retroactive tax legislation passed in March 2021 affecting 2020 tax returns (involving tax treatment of unemployment benefits and eliminating need to repay excess ACA premium tax credits for 2020.)

It will be a guessing game again this year.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by mervinj7 »

Here's my sales price at Amazon for HR Block for the last 10 years including the date I purchased them. I'll add my 2021 update in Dec.

Here's what I can currently still download from my Amazon software library with their activation keys.

11/30/20: Premium 2020, 31MB --> $32.49
12/2/19: Premium 2019, 32MB --> $32.49
11/23/18: Premium 2018, 32MB --> $32.50
11/26/17: Premium 2017, 32MB --> $40.37
02/6/17: Premium 2016,32MB --> $26.99
01/6/16: Premium 2015, 100MB --> $31.99
01/13/15: Premium 2014, 32MB --> $41.08
12/16/13: Deluxe + State 2013, 32MB --> $29.99
01/05/13: Deluxe + State 2012, 35.38MB --> $21.99
01/07/12: Deluxe + State 2011,32MB --> $19.99

Note, my actual price paid is even lower since I typically use No-Rush Shipping credits to pay for software on Amazon. Premium is typically $10 more than Deluxe+State.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by Cincyfed »

hamhocs wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:10 am Looking back to 2020, the lowest price on Amazon was $22.49 on Nov 30 and Dec 1 for Deluxe + State. I used the Keepa chrome extenstion which shows past prices.
That's when I got my copy, as I recall it was a Cyber Monday deal. I'm holding out for the same deal this year, but will start checking Amazon around Thanksgiving.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by meebers »

Since I do not need "State" with Deluxe, I could not find a method to leave that off.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by whodidntante »

It will be cheaper. Maybe even free.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by nalor511 »

whodidntante wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:38 pm It will be cheaper. Maybe even free.
Never free. Lowest was I think$11 with the ISO trick, but past few years more like $18-22
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by whodidntante »

nalor511 wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:51 pm
whodidntante wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:38 pm It will be cheaper. Maybe even free.
Never free. Lowest was I think$11 with the ISO trick, but past few years more like $18-22
You just need a more generous broker.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by nydoc »

Ah..the time of the year when BHs start their annual $20 tax software discount hunt. Always exciting and very satisfying indeed.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by obafgkm »

nydoc wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:19 pm Ah..the time of the year when BHs start their annual $20 tax software discount hunt. Always exciting and very satisfying indeed.
:P It is like watching Monarch butterflies return every year. :happy
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by nalor511 »

whodidntante wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:13 pm
nalor511 wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:51 pm
whodidntante wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:38 pm It will be cheaper. Maybe even free.
Never free. Lowest was I think$11 with the ISO trick, but past few years more like $18-22
You just need a more generous broker.
Free "HRBlock"? Are you sure? Free Turbotax, yes, never heard of free HRBlock.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by whodidntante »

nalor511 wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 3:00 pm
whodidntante wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:13 pm
nalor511 wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:51 pm
whodidntante wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:38 pm It will be cheaper. Maybe even free.
Never free. Lowest was I think$11 with the ISO trick, but past few years more like $18-22
You just need a more generous broker.
Free "HRBlock"? Are you sure? Free Turbotax, yes, never heard of free HRBlock.
Oh yes, TurboTax. I sort by price on tax software.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by coachd50 »

nydoc wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:19 pm Ah..the time of the year when BHs start their annual $20 tax software discount hunt. Always exciting and very satisfying indeed.
That is funny stuff!
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by CurlyDave »

sandramjet wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:46 am Interesting... I just got an email for $20 off -- which is 34.95 for deluxe+state; 24.95 deluxe only, no state. I am agonizing over same thing... now or later? I will probably wait, first because it may get better if I wait, second because the first version available in the past has been often needing several updates before it gives me a realistic answer....especially if any tax changes happen
Wait a minute. How are you agonizing over a cost difference of maybe $15.

I understand frugal (my kids think I invented the concept) but compare $15 to your portfolio and relax.
Answering a question is easy -- asking the right question is the hard part.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by Monster99 »

CurlyDave wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:08 am
sandramjet wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:46 am Interesting... I just got an email for $20 off -- which is 34.95 for deluxe+state; 24.95 deluxe only, no state. I am agonizing over same thing... now or later? I will probably wait, first because it may get better if I wait, second because the first version available in the past has been often needing several updates before it gives me a realistic answer....especially if any tax changes happen
Wait a minute. How are you agonizing over a cost difference of maybe $15.

I understand frugal (my kids think I invented the concept) but compare $15 to your portfolio and relax.
"it's not the kill, but the thrill of the hunt...." :happy

Newegg usually has a sale for about $19 + tax around Black Friday.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by CurlyDave »

Monster99 wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 9:05 am
..."it's not the kill, but the thrill of the hunt...." :happy
When I go elk hunting, I do not shoot squirrels.
Answering a question is easy -- asking the right question is the hard part.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by shunkman »

I wait until Amazon offers it at a discount. I think this has been one of the cheapest/safest/easiest ways to get it for the past several years.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by StoopieHippo »

I purchased Deluxe last year since we had a few weird situations to work through, but this year is a little more mundane... what's the different between the H&R block regular software vs the Deluxe anyway? Do I really need to get the Deluxe to "max my deductions?"

We have no brokerage sales this year, so I don't think we'd have any cap gains to sort out.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by dodecahedron »

shunkman wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 9:23 am I wait until Amazon offers it at a discount. I think this has been one of the cheapest/safest/easiest ways to get it for the past several years.
Yes, me too. And all my prior year software are neatly archived in my Amazon software library (e.g., in case I need to download them on new machines to amend returns in the future.)
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by NAVigator »

Monster99 wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 9:05 am
"it's not the kill, but the thrill of the hunt...." :happy
Soon there will be posts of boasts of best prices.

Finally the TurboTax tribe will arrive to wage more war about the best brand.

This is the entertaining part of year-end taxes, except for the moderators who have to merge multiple duplicate threads.

The gauntlet has been thrown.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by nalor511 »

StoopieHippo wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:23 pm I purchased Deluxe last year since we had a few weird situations to work through, but this year is a little more mundane... what's the different between the H&R block regular software vs the Deluxe anyway? Do I really need to get the Deluxe to "max my deductions?"

We have no brokerage sales this year, so I don't think we'd have any cap gains to sort out.
I don't know anymore but it used to be that all versions of HRB did all forms, just with less handholding, unlike tt which requires upgrades for more forms
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by Kevin M »

Last two years: $19.99 from Newegg on 11/29/2019, $17.99 from Newegg on 1/12/2021, and $16.99 from Newegg on 2/2/2021. I bought the second copy in 2021 as a workaround to get a 2nd state for cheaper than the state costs.

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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by Kevin M »

StoopieHippo wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:23 pm I purchased Deluxe last year since we had a few weird situations to work through, but this year is a little more mundane... what's the different between the H&R block regular software vs the Deluxe anyway? Do I really need to get the Deluxe to "max my deductions?"

We have no brokerage sales this year, so I don't think we'd have any cap gains to sort out.
Do you need state software too? If so, Deluxe usually is the cheapest way to get fed + state. Otherwise, I would imagine that the basic version is fine, but that's based on my experience with basic, deluxe and premium TurboTax in prior years. Have only used deluxe since I started using HRB a few years ago.

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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by StoopieHippo »

nalor511 wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:58 pm
StoopieHippo wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:23 pm I purchased Deluxe last year since we had a few weird situations to work through, but this year is a little more mundane... what's the different between the H&R block regular software vs the Deluxe anyway? Do I really need to get the Deluxe to "max my deductions?"

We have no brokerage sales this year, so I don't think we'd have any cap gains to sort out.
I don't know anymore but it used to be that all versions of HRB did all forms, just with less handholding, unlike tt which requires upgrades for more forms
At most I might need a 8606 form, so perhaps the basic will be it for me this year :D Thanks!
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by StoopieHippo »

Kevin M wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 7:18 pm
StoopieHippo wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:23 pm I purchased Deluxe last year since we had a few weird situations to work through, but this year is a little more mundane... what's the different between the H&R block regular software vs the Deluxe anyway? Do I really need to get the Deluxe to "max my deductions?"

We have no brokerage sales this year, so I don't think we'd have any cap gains to sort out.
Do you need state software too? If so, Deluxe usually is the cheapest way to get fed + state. Otherwise, I would imagine that the basic version is fine, but that's based on my experience with basic, deluxe and premium TurboTax in prior years. Have only used deluxe since I started using HRB a few years ago.

Kevin
No state required for me, so I might get the basic. At most we'll need a 8606 form, I think.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by Monster99 »

StoopieHippo wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 8:31 pm
nalor511 wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:58 pm
StoopieHippo wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:23 pm I purchased Deluxe last year since we had a few weird situations to work through, but this year is a little more mundane... what's the different between the H&R block regular software vs the Deluxe anyway? Do I really need to get the Deluxe to "max my deductions?"

We have no brokerage sales this year, so I don't think we'd have any cap gains to sort out.
I don't know anymore but it used to be that all versions of HRB did all forms, just with less handholding, unlike tt which requires upgrades for more forms
At most I might need a 8606 form, so perhaps the basic will be it for me this year :D Thanks!
I have used H&R Block for quite a while - the deluxe has a more extensive interview for investing transactions but all the forms are Included in the basic.... at least the forms were included up to the 2020 version... don't know about the 2021 tax year version.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by lazydavid »

I would wait. Here are my last 10 years of H&R Block, always Deluxe + State:

2020: Newegg, 11/27/20, $22.49
2019: Amazon, 12/2/19, $20.49
2018: Amazon, 11/23/18, $18
2017: Amazon, 11/29/17, $19.99
2016: Amazon, 11/26/16, $29.95
2015: Amazon, 12/13/15, $29.95
2014: Amazon, 12/18/14, $29.99
2013: Amazon, 12/16/13, $27.49
2011: Amazon, 1/7/12, $19.99
2010: Amazon, 12/29/10, $29.99

Looks like I can expect to get it in late November/early December for around $20.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by truenyer »

Why are people not using sites like Freetaxusa.com?? Instead of paying more money into the US tax system industrial complex?
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by KlangFool »

truenyer wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 12:59 pm Why are people not using sites like Freetaxusa.com?? Instead of paying more money into the US tax system industrial complex?
To each its own. Because it is worthwhile for us to pay for the software.

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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by dodecahedron »

truenyer wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 12:59 pm Why are people not using sites like Freetaxusa.com?? Instead of paying more money into the US tax system industrial complex?
FreeTaxUSA is not free if you need a state return (that costs $12.95.)

More importantly to me, FreeTaxUSA is an online program (cloud software.). I prefer a downloaded program that I can archive on my computer (as well as in my Amazon software library if I need to install it on another computer.)

I typically get Block Deluxe Plus State for about $20 (plus or minus a couple of bucks) on Black Friday Sale.

Block is one of the two top rated programs by PC Magazine. (Both Block and TurboTax are 4.5 stars, "Outstanding".) FreeTaxUSA is 3.5 stars, "Good."

Block will allow me to import 1099's from my brokerages, saving me the trouble of data entry and reducing the problem of transcription errors.

For an extra $7 or so, Block is definitely worth it for me.

Edited to add: That said, I do share truenyer's concern about the US tax system industrial complex. My hope is eventually to streamline ("Marie Kondo") my tax and financial situation such that the cost of fancy software will be unnecessary.
Last edited by dodecahedron on Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by truenyer »

dodecahedron wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:12 pm
truenyer wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 12:59 pm Why are people not using sites like Freetaxusa.com?? Instead of paying more money into the US tax system industrial complex?
FreeTaxUSA is not free if you need a state return (that costs $12.95.)

More importantly to me, FreeTaxUSA is an online program (cloud software.). I prefer a downloaded program that I can archive on my computer (as well as in my Amazon software library if I need to install it on another computer.)

I typically get Block Deluxe Plus State for about $20 (plus or minus a couple of bucks) on Black Friday Sale.

Block is one of the two top rated programs by PC Magazine. (Both Block and TurboTax are 4.5 stars, "Outstanding".) FreeTaxUSA is 3.5 stars, "Good."

Block will allow me to import 1099's from my brokerages, saving me the trouble of data entry and reducing the problem of transcription errors.

For an extra $7 or so, Block is definitely worth it for me.
With cloud software you don't need to worry about access to a software library to install on other computers; that's the benefit of the cloud!

You don't think TT and Block pay for their higher ratings in media just to keep their stranglehold on the country to not make filing taxes easier?

For me it's more about principal. Principal of why filing taxes is so complex in this country. The only reason is that companies like TT and Block oppose change. For example: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/ ... efox-b-1-e
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by dodecahedron »

truenyer wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:22 pm With cloud software you don't need to worry about access to a software library to install on other computers; that's the benefit of the cloud!
Only as long as the tax software publisher stays in business.*

Also, keep in mind that you can do an unlimited number of tax returns (e.g., for friends and family, as long as you don't take pay for it) for the price of a single license for downloaded software. (First five efiles are free, but there are an unlimited number of paper returns that can be prepared.) It is also very easy to do multiple scenario pro forma estimates with downloaded software. Not so much for cloud software.

So, if I do my daughter's tax return and my own (Fed plus NYS) with downloaded Block, that is already cheaper than FreeTaxUSA.

Edited to add: *Block has a much longer track record than TaxHawk (the publisher of FreeTaxUSA). No guarantees any company will be around forever, of course.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by nalor511 »

truenyer wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:22 pm
dodecahedron wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:12 pm
truenyer wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 12:59 pm Why are people not using sites like Freetaxusa.com?? Instead of paying more money into the US tax system industrial complex?
FreeTaxUSA is not free if you need a state return (that costs $12.95.)

More importantly to me, FreeTaxUSA is an online program (cloud software.). I prefer a downloaded program that I can archive on my computer (as well as in my Amazon software library if I need to install it on another computer.)

I typically get Block Deluxe Plus State for about $20 (plus or minus a couple of bucks) on Black Friday Sale.

Block is one of the two top rated programs by PC Magazine. (Both Block and TurboTax are 4.5 stars, "Outstanding".) FreeTaxUSA is 3.5 stars, "Good."

Block will allow me to import 1099's from my brokerages, saving me the trouble of data entry and reducing the problem of transcription errors.

For an extra $7 or so, Block is definitely worth it for me.
With cloud software you don't need to worry about access to a software library to install on other computers; that's the benefit of the cloud!

You don't think TT and Block pay for their higher ratings in media just to keep their stranglehold on the country to not make filing taxes easier?

For me it's more about principal. Principal of why filing taxes is so complex in this country. The only reason is that companies like TT and Block oppose change. For example: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/ ... efox-b-1-e
Filing my actual taxes is the least important thing I do with tax software, and sure, I could do that with cloud software.

The most important thing I do with tax software is to model various scenarios (healthcare, 1099b, 1099r, and others) and see what the effects of doing various things are on my taxes. I can only do that with downloadable tax software. Even if I could do it online and see the raw forms (generally you cannot) I wouldn't be able to "save" the various scenarios for easy edits, tweaks, and comparisons. Totaly worth $20, has saved me tens of thousands in bad decisions (or good decisions, depending how you look at it)
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by RetiredAL »

dodecahedron wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:28 pm
truenyer wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:22 pm With cloud software you don't need to worry about access to a software library to install on other computers; that's the benefit of the cloud!
Only as long as the tax software publisher stays in business.*

Also, keep in mind that you can do an unlimited number of tax returns (e.g., for friends and family, as long as you don't take pay for it) for the price of a single license for downloaded software. (First five efiles are free, but there are an unlimited number of paper returns that can be prepared.) It is also very easy to do multiple scenario pro forma estimates with downloaded software. Not so much for cloud software.

So, if I do my daughter's tax return and my own (Fed plus NYS) with downloaded Block, that is already cheaper than FreeTaxUSA.

Edited to add: *Block has a much longer track record than TaxHawk (the publisher of FreeTaxUSA). No guarantees any company will be around forever, of course.
I switched to HRB when I start doing the 2 Grandkid's taxes that are the result of their UTMA accounts I'm custodian to. So three official returns plus my "go try this" one, which I've used 3x so far this year for modeling.

I bought last years at NewEgg the day after Thanksgiving for around $22.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by cflannagan »

dodecahedron wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:12 pm FreeTaxUSA is not free if you need a state return (that costs $12.95.)
I live in state of Florida so it's 100% free for us. Even if I lived in a state where I have to file state taxes, $12.95 still seems plenty cheaper than most choices out there.
dodecahedron wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:12 pm More importantly to me, FreeTaxUSA is an online program (cloud software.). I prefer a downloaded program that I can archive on my computer (as well as in my Amazon software library if I need to install it on another computer.)
I don't really need to have a program downloaded when all I need is the PDF of my full tax return. Once I have my full tax return in PDF format and have it backed up through my backup solution (Backblaze is what I use), why would I need to use the downloaded program again when I can simply look up values in the PDF?
nalor511 wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 2:37 pm The most important thing I do with tax software is to model various scenarios (healthcare, 1099b, 1099r, and others) and see what the effects of doing various things are on my taxes. I can only do that with downloadable tax software. Even if I could do it online and see the raw forms (generally you cannot) I wouldn't be able to "save" the various scenarios for easy edits, tweaks, and comparisons. Totaly worth $20, has saved me tens of thousands in bad decisions (or good decisions, depending how you look at it)
FWIW, I'm still able to run "tax what if scenarios" using FreeTaxUSA. Just have to use a different email to do the scenarios. I use the +1 trick with gmail to gain a separate login to do my tax scenarios. Before you ask if FreeTaxUSA wouldn't like something like that, customer support actually offered that as a way to do "dry runs" with FreeTaxUSA Image

Love FreeTaxUSA. Handles 1099-B, 1099-Misc (1099 wages), 1099-R (like my Roth conversions) etc just fine.
nalor511
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by nalor511 »

cflannagan wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:02 pm
nalor511 wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 2:37 pm The most important thing I do with tax software is to model various scenarios (healthcare, 1099b, 1099r, and others) and see what the effects of doing various things are on my taxes. I can only do that with downloadable tax software. Even if I could do it online and see the raw forms (generally you cannot) I wouldn't be able to "save" the various scenarios for easy edits, tweaks, and comparisons. Totaly worth $20, has saved me tens of thousands in bad decisions (or good decisions, depending how you look at it)
FWIW, I'm still able to run "tax what if scenarios" using FreeTaxUSA. Just have to use a different email to do the scenarios. I use the +1 trick with gmail to gain a separate login to do my tax scenarios. Before you ask if FreeTaxUSA wouldn't like something like that, customer support actually offered that as a way to do "dry runs" with FreeTaxUSA Image

Love FreeTaxUSA. Handles 1099-B, 1099-Misc (1099 wages), 1099-R (like my Roth conversions) etc just fine.
You can only see the full forms (easily, maybe there's *some* way, but I couldn't see it) *after* you've filed. If you're running scenarios, you want to see what happens on certain forms, not just the final "tax".

I also found that on (for example) form 1116 there were options that I could fiddle with on HRB Deluxe Download that I could not fiddle with in FTUSA Online. Maybe you don't need these options. I don't know how tax software can operate without giving you all the options though.
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cflannagan
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by cflannagan »

nalor511 wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:14 pm
You can only see the full forms (easily, maybe there's *some* way, but I couldn't see it) *after* you've filed. If you're running scenarios, you want to see what happens on certain forms, not just the final "tax".
True - IIRC, I had to "visit" all sections (income, deductions, credits, etc) before I can see data in "full forms". I agree, it wasn't readily available but can be made available with a bit of workaround before you can fiddle with data.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by mervinj7 »

cflannagan wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:27 pm
nalor511 wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:14 pm
You can only see the full forms (easily, maybe there's *some* way, but I couldn't see it) *after* you've filed. If you're running scenarios, you want to see what happens on certain forms, not just the final "tax".
True - IIRC, I had to "visit" all sections (income, deductions, credits, etc) before I can see data in "full forms". I agree, it wasn't readily available but can be made available with a bit of workaround before you can fiddle with data.
Hopefully, you can understand why people might be willing to pay $20 to avoid email hacks, workarounds, and fiddling with interview questions.
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cflannagan
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by cflannagan »

mervinj7 wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:31 pm Hopefully, you can understand why people might be willing to pay $20 to avoid email hacks, workarounds, and fiddling with interview questions.
I would understand if one didn't feel like spending maybe 5 minutes maximum, to save $20. The email hack, I would hardly call it a "hack". Just a "tip/trick" to get around the one login per email address limitation. Plus, using the +1 trick means it still goes to my main inbox, no configuring necessary.

"Visiting" incomes, deductions, credits, etc is a matter of just clicking thru, then returning to where you want to start fiddling with the data.

Thought Bogleheads might appreciate hearing about a free alternative, if one is feeling frugal enough to not want to spend $20. :sharebeer
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dodecahedron
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by dodecahedron »

cflannagan wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:02 pm
dodecahedron wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:12 pm More importantly to me, FreeTaxUSA is an online program (cloud software.). I prefer a downloaded program that I can archive on my computer (as well as in my Amazon software library if I need to install it on another computer.)
I don't really need to have a program downloaded when all I need is the PDF of my full tax return. Once I have my full tax return in PDF format and have it backed up through my backup solution (Backblaze is what I use), why would I need to use the downloaded program again when I can simply look up values in the PDF?
Amending the return is one major reason. Another is running mid-year scenarios for tax planning purposes. Reconstructing the logic of the tax return and accessing supporting worksheets and notes/annotations (as in, e.g., how did I come up with this number?) in a contextually organized way if audited is another.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by nalor511 »

cflannagan wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:38 pm
mervinj7 wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:31 pm Hopefully, you can understand why people might be willing to pay $20 to avoid email hacks, workarounds, and fiddling with interview questions.
I would understand if one didn't feel like spending maybe 5 minutes maximum, to save $20. The email hack, I would hardly call it a "hack". Just a "tip/trick" to get around the one login per email address limitation. Plus, using the +1 trick means it still goes to my main inbox, no configuring necessary.

"Visiting" incomes, deductions, credits, etc is a matter of just clicking thru, then returning to where you want to start fiddling with the data.

Thought Bogleheads might appreciate hearing about a free alternative, if one is feeling frugal enough to not want to spend $20. :sharebeer
I mock up probably 20 variables per year. Maybe more. And like I said, there are some options that cannot be changed in ftusa (spec form 1116, likely others). If I had used ftusa, it would have cost me $400 in FTC past year, to save $20 on software. YMMV

And mocking in download software is FAST
mikep
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by mikep »

truenyer wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 12:59 pm Why are people not using sites like Freetaxusa.com?? Instead of paying more money into the US tax system industrial complex?
I tried it but it couldn't handle HSAs in CA or my employer stock ESPP purchases/sales.
Also I prepare my father's tax return and it doesn't cost extra to do with H&R block to print out and mail in, so for me it is worth the extra ~$7.
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by sharukh »

Kevin M wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 7:15 pm Last two years: $19.99 from Newegg on 11/29/2019, $17.99 from Newegg on 1/12/2021, and $16.99 from Newegg on 2/2/2021. I bought the second copy in 2021 as a workaround to get a 2nd state for cheaper than the state costs.

Kevin
Hi,

How to install 2 versions of software and import (1 fed + 1state) from one version to another to submit tax for a other state.

Thank you.
tj
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Re: H&R Block 2021 software offer

Post by tj »

Looks like I paid $29.22 last year directly from HRBlock, 2019 was $19.99 from NewEgg, 2018 $18.00 from Amazon.

I'll wait.

Maybe I'll just do one of the freefile options this year since I have to file 2 partial year state returns.
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