H&R Block
In-person + online tax help.
In-person service
- 10,000+ retail offices.
- Sit with tax pro for hour.
- $200–$400 per return typical.
- Senior discount sometimes offered.
- Same-day service.
- Best for tax-anxious seniors.
Online software
- Free Edition — simple returns.
- Deluxe — $35.
- Premium — $55.
- Self-Employed — $85.
- Cheaper than TurboTax usually.
- Same accuracy.
Tax Pro Review
- Online software + pro review.
- Pay extra $50–$100.
- Tax pro reviews your DIY return.
- Compromise between DIY + full service.
- Catches mistakes.
- Audit support included.
When in-person worth it
- First time using software.
- Major life changes (death of spouse, retirement).
- Complex investments + estates.
- Anxious about taxes.
- Deductions you can't identify.
- Worth the extra cost for peace of mind.
Year-round services
- Tax planning consultations.
- Audit support.
- Help with IRS letters.
- Tax debt resolution.
- Available year-round, not just March-April.
- Keeps records of past returns.
vs accountants
- CPA — $300–$1,000+ per return.
- H&R Block — $200–$400.
- CPA expertise more comprehensive.
- H&R Block fine for most seniors.
- CPA worth it for high net worth.
- For complex business owners.
In-person if anxious about taxes
For seniors who feel anxious about taxes or have had significant life changes (spouse death, retirement, big inheritance), the $250–$400 H&R Block in-person service gives peace of mind. They handle the form-filling, you just provide documents. For straightforward retired seniors with just Social Security + pension, free Tax-Aide is sufficient.