TurboTax is the best option for families because you can submit multiple returns. It’s user friendly and pretty affordable – it even has a free version. And you can automatically import data from the CRA directly into the TurboTax software to save time.
H&R Block is the best choice for individual returns, people under 25, and those that are self-employed. It has a long history of helping Canadians file their taxes in person and has since expanded into tax software and expert reviews. Like TurboTax, it’s easy to use and offers a free version.
So if you’re about to do your taxes or planning for next year, we’ve compared TurboTax and H&R Block to help you choose the best one for you.
Key Takeaways
- TurboTax has a user-friendly tax software with several pricing tiers, ranging from its free version to its self-employed package which costs $65.
- H&R Block is a trusted name in the tax business, offering in-person and online tax preparation services.
- Tax software packages from H&R Block cost between $0 to $50.
- TurboTax is a great tax solution for homes that require multiple returns.
- H&R Block is free for those 25 years old or younger.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block features
To begin, let’s talk about what both TurboTax and H&R Block can do for you. Both products make it easier to do your taxes, help you get the biggest possible return (or lower your tax burden as much as possible), and file your taxes with the CRA.
Here are some of the main features that set the software apart:
| Tax software | Price | Guarantees | Unique features | Best for… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTax | * TurboTax Free: $0 * Deluxe: $25 per return * Premier: $45 per return * Self-Employed: $65 per return | * 100% accuracy guarantee * 100% satisfaction guarantee for desktop software * If a competing software gives you a larger refund or lower tax burden, TurboTax will refund the cost of your license * If an error is made on the return by an expert, you’ll get your penalty and interest paid back to you | * Auto-fill returns by importing your slips directly from the CRA * Searches for over 400 deductions and credits to max out your refund * Optimizes your return for tax-saving opportunities, including the best split for donations, medical, and employment expenses * ReFILE a return if you need to make adjustments | * Families |
| H&R Block | * Simple: $0 * Deluxe: $20 per return * Premier: $40 per return * Self-employed: $50 per return * Couple options include $0, $40, $70, $100, respectively | * Maximum refund guarantee * Accuracy guarantee * If a competing software gives you a larger refund or lower tax burden, H&R Block will refund the cost of your license * Secure and encrypted data guarantee | * All versions are free for people 25 or younger, including couples (add-ons and extra features do have a cost though) * Able to go to a physical H&R Block location * Automatic tax return optimizations and overrides | * People under 25 * Self-employed professionals * Individuals |
While at first glance it may look like H&R Block is the cheapest option, this isn't always true.
The best option for you is going to depend on your needs from a tax return software, so let’s take a look at what each of the tiers offer directly.
TurboTax Free vs. H&R Block Simple
While both returns are free, it does seem that TurboTax has the more robust option for a single-person free return.
If your tax situation is exceedingly simple, H&R Block’s Simple option will work perfectly for you. However, if you have a family or dependents, TurboTax is the better option for this tier.
| TurboTax Free | H&R Block Simple | |
|---|---|---|
| Covered | * Employment income (includes tips) * Pension income * RRSP contribution * Child card expenses * EI, social assistance, Worker’s compensation, and Disability amount * Worker’s benefit * Eligible or infirm dependents amounts * School-related (tuition, scholarships, bursaries, grants, student loan interest) * Caregiver tax credit * Disability transfer * Home accessibility tax credit * Tax on RESPs and RDSPs * Installment payments * Age amount | * Employment income reported on T and RL slips * School-related (tuition, scholarships, grants, other student credits) * RRSP contribution * COVID-19 benefits and repayments |
| Not Covered | * Some employment expenses not reported on slips * Donations * Medical expenses * Investment income and expenses * Rental property income and expenses * Self-employed income and expenses | * Some employment expenses not reported on slips * Donations * Medical expenses * Investment income and expenses * Rental property income and expenses * Self-employed income and expenses |
TurboTax Deluxe vs. H&R Block Deluxe
Both Deluxe products match one another beat-for-beat, except in terms of pricing.
| TurboTax Deluxe | H&R Block Deluxe | |
|---|---|---|
| Covered | * All simple features * Donations and medical expenses * Personalized tax suggestions * Employment expenses not found on regular slips * Dependent transfers and credits | * All simple features * Donations and medical expenses * Personalized tax suggestions * Employment expenses not found on regular slips * Dependent transfers and credits |
| Not Covered | * Self-employment income and expenses * Rental property income and expenses * Capital gains/losses from investments * Foreign income and assets | * Self-employment income and expenses * Rental property income and expenses * Capital gains/losses from investments * Foreign income and assets |
TurboTax Premier vs. H&R Block Premier
It’s in the Premier tier that H&R Block starts to pull ahead.
The obvious difference between these two packages is that one allows you to also claim your rental property and income expenses, while the other does not. If you make any money from rental properties or have other income expenses, the best bang for your buck is H&R Block’s Premier package.
You must pay for the Self-Employed package to get these benefits from TurboTax.
| TurboTax Premier | H&R Block Premier | |
|---|---|---|
| Covered | * All Simple and Deluxe features * Report capital gains/other investment income * Report foreign income | * All Simple and Deluxe features * Report capital gains/other investment income * Report foreign income * Claim rental property and income expenses |
| Not Covered | * Self-employment income and expenses * Rental property income and expenses | * Self-employment income and expenses |
TurboTax Self-Employed vs. H&R Block Self-Employed
The self-employed tier from H&R Block packs more of a punch with more features to make doing your taxes easier.
However, TurboTax does come with all the necessary coverage if you’re self-employed or a business owner.
| TurboTax Self-Employed | H&R Block Self-Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Covered | * Report self-employment, contract, and side gig income * Report rental income | * All features from previous tiers * Tools to streamline the tax process, like a self-employed tax toolkit, expense and deduction calculators, and a simplified workflow built for business owners * Report self-employment income and expenses |
| Not Covered | * Tools to streamline the process |
TurboTax and H&R Block pros and cons
Now that we’ve gone over the main features of TurboTax and H&R Block, let’s analyze the pros and cons of each of them.
TurboTax advantages and disadvantages
Let’s start with TurboTax:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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H&R Block advantages and disadvantages
Now, let's take a look at the main pros and cons of using H&R Block:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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When to use TurboTax vs. H&R Block
So how do you choose which of the two software solutions to use? It really depends on your personal tax situation.
Use H&R Block if you’re:
- Filing alone
- A self-employed individual
- Under 25 years old
Use TurboTax if you’re:
- Filing together with a few family members
Finally, if you’re already familiar with either of the two user interfaces, and you’re used to how it works, it might be worth sticking with it. Sure, you would be paying a bit more but really it isn’t that much if you’re saving time and mental effort.
Here’s a closer look at both products:
TurboTax is one of Canada’s most popular tax preparation apps. It’s been around for years, is backed with some solid guarantees, is simple to use, and really takes a lot of the pain out of doing your taxes.
- Import options
- Real-time refund / owed amount
- Easy online filing
- Instant confirmation, fast refunds
- 4 guarantees to help you feel secure
- Good security practices
- Standard $20.99 price tag
- Canadian citizen
- Maximum refund guarantee
- Auto-fill available
- Promo: Get up to 20% off your TurboTax purchase
- Have a simple return
- Comes with limited features
As one of the most recognized names in the tax industry, H&R Block provides one of the best tax software products in Canada on top of its in-branch services. With accuracy guarantees, one-on-one attention available from tax professionals at physical offices or online, and options for each price bracket (including free!), H&R Block seems to have thought of everything.
- Well-established and trusted industry name
- In-person, online, and drop-off filing options
- Clear, step-by-step instructions
- Ability to save your progress and return later.
- Access to seasoned tax professionals
- Free and paid services available
- Specific package designed for self-employed individuals
- Limited free support
- Free version is quite basic
- File online or in-person
- Accuracy guarantee
- Self-employed tax package
Do you prefer TurboTax or H&R Block?
Have you already filed your taxes this year? Do you have experience using TurboTax and H&R Block?
Let us know what your experience was like in the comments section below.
FAQ
Is TurboTax free?
Yes and no. There’s a free version of TurboTax, but it’s limited in its capabilities and suited only for people with simple tax returns. If you want a better user experience, you’re going to have to shell out some cash.
How much does H&R Blockcharge?
H&R Block offers a free version, made for simple tax returns only. They offer various tax software packages, from its Deluxe package at $19.99 to its Self-Employed package at $59.99. You can also pay to have your taxes done in-person or remotely by an expert.
Are TurboTax and H&R Block the same?
No. They are separate products from separate companies. Sure, they both help you file your taxes faster and more efficiently. But they differ in their approach, have different costs, and offer different additional services. For example, H&R Block has physical locations and TurboTax doesn’t.
Do you get a bigger refund with H&R Block or TurboTax?
Both pieces of software are highly incentivized to give you the highest possible tax refund, and even provide guarantees on finding you a higher refund than any competitors. It’s likely that they’ll produce a similar result if you enter your information correctly.
Which free tax software is best in Canada?
There are many excellent options available, but the best tax software product is H&R Block. With a free version, the ability to import prior year data, and an accuracy guarantee, H&R Block is reliable and easy to use.
Is TurboTax Canada accurate?
Yes, TurboTax is generally considered accurate and reliable when filing taxes, plus it offers several accuracy and satisfaction guarantees. It uses up-to-date tax laws and automatically calculates your refund or balance owing based on the information you enter.
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