H&R Block At Home 2009 Deluxe Federal + State + eFile [Formerly TaxCut] [Download]

(Note: This review also shows up in the reviews for the download version. Don't ask me why Amazon doesn't show the reviews in both places for what's really the same product, with just different delivery mechanisms. I bought the box version, if you want to know.)

This part written Dec 9, 2009 (see updated comments below)

This is of course a preliminary review (written Dec 9 based on use in the last few days). At this time one can't do more than a rough cut estimate of the tax return -- the IRS forms aren't finalized, the state forms aren't available, and of course the various income reports (W2, 1099, etc.) aren't out yet.

I don't have a super complicated tax situation this year: it just requires some things that a good tax program should handle easily. So far this program seems to do just fine. I found it easy to use, and found that imports from Quicken and from TXF files worked without any problems. Schedules A, B, and D worked just fine, and the related screens were easy to use and understand. Excess FICA was calculated correctly, as was the child tax credit. The AMT calculation does of course remain weirdly complicated (once a year I mutter to myself about all politicians in DC), but the program does take care of it with no apparent problems.

I used TaxCut last year -- chose it over TurboTax just because of cost, and was quite satisfied. I'm not convinced this year either that you get value for the extra you pay for TT. (Incidentally, note that if you have investment income you probably need to get TT Premium, so the price would be nearly double that of HRB Deluxe.)

A warning I wrote in my review last year seems worth repeating: Don't expect a tax program to apply tax laws correctly in all circumstances; for anything at all out of the ordinary, make sure you double-check against an IRS guide or another guide like JK Lasser's. The folks who design and write and test the programs make mistakes, too. And for the same reason, give the calculations a sanity check, don't just use the program blindly, or you could get tripped up by a software bug that wasn't caught.

I will update this review in Jan/Feb when I've had a chance to do more with it.

Update Jan 29, 2010:

I have now done a first complete pass on my taxes, based on W2s, 1099s, and some projected 1099s. I also have had an opportunity to use TurboTax Deluxe (I got a free copy, legally), so have been able to compare the two products.

I continue to like HRB Deluxe. It's easy to use, and has been trouble-free. There are a couple of things I particularly like, that might be worth mentioning. (1) They show you when the next update is expected, so you don't waste your time running the update check until there is something. (2) Entering info from interest paying mutual funds that might have muni income (tax-free for Fed) is simple: HRB gives you a simple way to enter the amount that's tax-free in your state, and takes care of it without hassle. TT can also deal with this, but I don't like their way as much (they create a separate 1099 to split the income into two parts).

Interestingly, TTD is also noticeably slower starting up than HRBD. Don't know why.

The one advantage TT does have over HRB is on coverage of automated downloads: TT can download your 1099 info from a larger set of institutions than can HRB. W2 downloads look the same between the two. This does save some time, and could be sufficient to be a decider for some. Not for me.

I'm mostly only writing my review to offset the wave of negative comments. I had absolutely no problems with the Amazon software download tool. If you are concerned that you might have a problem with it, just test it out first by downloading a free game or something. Next, someone complained that the amazon downloader tool remains on your system after the download - this is true unfortunately, but its also not a big deal, it shows an icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, and you can simply right click it, and close it, it will then ask you if you want to load it when windows starts, just uncheck this, and it will no longer be running on your computer. Finally, some people complained that they didn't get their product code. I don't know if this was a bug that was fixed or what, but the downloader software clearly displayed my product code (used for e-filing your return), furthermore, you can get the code at any time via Amazon.com, just click on the "Go to your software library" button.

The H&R Block software loaded fine on Vista with no problems. If you are using user account controls, you should right click the install file and choose "Run as Administrator". After the software installed, the first thing it did was update itself. Now I must admit it did appear to hang during this update process for some reason showing it was 100% on the download, and I had to click "cancel" but then it installed the update with no problems after that.

The tax software is very nice, most detailed reviews I've read comparing various software rank H&R Block (formerly TaxCut) and TurboTax as the two best, and they mostly say they are almost identical but as far as I know, only H&R Block offers audit support. You can import last years files from either software so switching from year to year is not a problem. Every year these programs get better and better, with more features and forms, and simpler interface. I love the simple question and answer format, and the easy free federal e-File. I also like that it includes the state software too. Instead of paying extra to e-File my state return, I just print it out and mail it in (for only the cost of a stamp). This software handles everything I want to do including Schedule D creation, and even schedule F for farm income. Overall its a good value.

It pays to wait til late January/early February to start seeing large drops in the prices for products like this. Until the other day the digital download was $37.99... now down to 27. The name change, who knows why or cares. The download and install went seamlessly on my Windows7 machine. I created a folder called Taxcut(like previous years) and put in last year's final file. Started the program and it found the file and imported without a hitch. New files are then saved in a folder called HRBlock in your documents folder. I never really needed to create the Taxcut folder as you can search anywhere you have it stored. Everything works just as it should.

I ordered this H&R Block At Home tax software to be downloaded over the internet. Amazon requires you to install their "Amazon Games & Software Downloader". You then must use that software to download the software you purchased. I followed their directions, but cannot download the purchased software. I continue to receive the message "An error has occurred." I have contacted customer service and provided detailed information, but the problem is not solved. I have requested reimbursement since I have not "successfully downloaded and received" the software. Up to this point, they have refused reimbursement, in spite of the fact that I have not received the software.

FYI. I consider myself to be fairly computer savvy and it took me about 20 minutes of searching to find the product key of my downloaded version. Here's what I found from someone else's comment:

"Amazon provides the 8 character product key code in your "Games and Software" page
(where the information on software you've downloaded is kept)."

Despite H&R Block's many claims that this product is Vista compatible, it is NOT! I have used TaxCut for several years, and this is the first year that I am experiencing numerous installation AND upgrade problems with the software on my Vista laptop. The latest problem, which has yet to be resolved, is that the Federal update that is almost always necessary after the initial installation is complete (to get the latest revisions) stops installing midway. According to a few blogs, the problem is that the update installer is not properly written to have permission to write new files to the program directory. There are several suggestions by various blog sites with one being to disable the UAC (user account control) on Windows Vista, which I have done, BUT the Federal update will still NOT install after rebooting. Essentially, the update recycles right back to the download screen once the installer aborts. If anyone has ANY viable suggestions, please share... I will report back when/if I ever get this particular issue with the software resolved, but VERY, very frustrating to say the least. By the way, this product has fallen from $39.95 in early January to $23.95 in less than 3 weeks... I bought it when it was $25. It should be pulled!

In spite of the two previous poor reviews, I tried the download version and found the process to be relatively painless on a Windows 7 laptop using Firefox as my browser. I was able to download both the download plug in and the software itself without difficulty. I received my key code right away. One of the links to find it was not extremely obvious, but with a little care and attention I found everything I needed. (Actually, the key code isn't needed until you go to e-file. So I can't verify that it works, just that I have it.) I saved $2.00 on the price, got it right away, and did not have to pay for gas or sales tax either. I'm happy. After I get a chance to use the program, I may update my post or add a new one.

I have always used H & R Block At Home, formerly know as Taxcut software and love it. I decided to try the downloaded version to save myself $20-, but this turned into a nightmare! I should have paid more attention to the reviews. I have tried, unsuccessfully to get the software to install on my Vista laptop for 5 whole hours! I give up, and am now loading the disks they sent in the mail. I can only hope I get a refund from Amazon. If not, I have wasted the money and my time. FYI: I tried trouble-shooting with Amazon, Microsoft and H & R Block through phone, email and chat options. None worked. I am so frustrated right now I could spit!
That said, I am looking forward to doing my taxes on a consistently great product- if I can ever get it to work! My recommendation: Get the disks. The full cost is deductible the next year anyway. ;o)

I have used this product on my vista os for the last 3 years. I purchased the "cd" version of 2009 deluxe. After installation, on the first run it errors out. It gives a message saying that it had to run from the computer that it was originally installed on. After a few Google search and reading a few Amazon reviews, you have to download an update from H&R Block after your installation. When I attempted to download the state version from within the program, the entire application crashes. To fix the problem, you have to download the state update on the H&R Block site as well. What a pain.

I went with the download version, which requires you to download the amazon installer first. Not a big deal, since the seller is Amazon anyway. I am a homeowner who re-financed in 2009; I have a 401K, Roth IRA and have done a few stock trades. Once I figured out where to enter a few key figures, by doing some Google searches, getting it right was fairly easy with no phone calls to a tax pro. The Energy improvement form is a breeze and the check at the end saved me from leaving anything blank. Well worth the savings by not buying Turbo Tax!!

KEY CODE TIP: The BIGGEST snafu I had was the Key Code you need in order to get your FREE e-file.... It's provided back at Amazon.com by viewing your digital order, not anywhere in the H&R Block download. That'll save you searching through anything in your "Download Library" as it says in the instructions.

Oh... and the Deluxe with Federal + State did include forms to fill out State for me, even though I didn't need it.