Turbotax vs HR Block

[Darren]

Hey team,

For the past several years, I have been using HR Block's online tax return portal to do my tax returns. My company get's a 25% off tax returns deal through Turbotax, so I'm thinking of trying them this year. Has anyone used Turbotax before? How did you like the UI and experience? I like the HR block UI, but I do remember having a few annoying account and login issues.

I will be doing my personal tax return that also includes a rental property, if that changes your answer.

Thanks!

D

[utaca]

I've used Turbotax and found it easy to use but I'm interested in others' opinions.

[Mighty Eyebrows]

I don't have familiarity with those two services. I used SimpleTax for several years, but their recent takeover by WealthSimple and change of security terms made me decide not to continue with them.

There are two offline programs available that will still upload directly to CRA:

https://www.studiotax.com/

https://www.taxfreeway.ca/

I will be using StudioTax this time around. It is by donation, while TaxFreeway requires a small price to do online filing.

[The Fake Cheap]

I've been using |Studio Tax for the last few years, it is free to use, but I usually give a small donation.

I like it, seems straight forward, we just have basic tax filing though.

[Wrenchturner]

TurboTax is pretty good and shouldn't be very expensive if you have a basic return plus rental income.

I went to hr block once and was very disappointed.

[Goldielocks]

Tubo tax is my favorite.  It is much better than the US version, although the US version has been watering down the user experience, and I switched to Simple Tax a few years ago.  SimpleTax is almost free (donation) and although not quite a nice to use, I like free or under $20.

What I miss a lot about Turbo tax is the way that you can enter in $'s on the form (TD1) and double click to toggle between their questionaire format, Govern't form format, and the specific detailed calculation schedule forms.   It is very hard in comparison to do that with Simple tax - I am endlessly scrolling through their questionaire format to get to look at the Govt forms and I can't enter directly there.

I do miss the fast, simple data entry options of Turbo Tax. (when you are familiar with the forms, anyway).

[Dogastrophe]

For many years we were using the standard version of TurboTax ($15 or so per return).  Last year I paid attention to what features I used and determined that I was paying for features that I would never use (like the RRSP optimizer).  This year I went with the free turbotax version.  Except that the free version is made a bit more complicated - they won't import all your information from past returns, make you chase forms to ensure that everything is ticked off correctly, and constantly bombard with 'monetizing' features - it went fairly smoothly.  You can still Netfile as normal with the free version. 

Our returns are fairly simple.  We each have T4, RRSP contributions, I had a T5 for interest income from my Tangerine account, and DW had enough medical expenses last year to meet the claim criteria.