Jake Tech Lab

H&R Block vs TaxAct

TaxAct comes out ahead of H&R Block on 4 of the 8 things that decide this, going by what each company publishes and what independent review sites report. The one that matters for you may be one the leader loses.

H&R Block
H&R Block
6.9
Fair
3 of 8 rounds
vs
TaxActWinner
TaxAct
6.9
Fair
4 of 8 rounds

The verdict

TaxAct takes it, 4–3 on rounds.

On the published figures and the independent review sites, TaxAct takes 4 of 8 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.

Choose H&R Block if…

  • • You want H&R Block's edge on how many people qualify for free and state return on the free tier

Choose TaxAct if…

  • • You want TaxAct's edge on what customers say on trustpilot and what it costs to start

Round by round

  1. Round 1What customers say on TrustpilotTaxAct wins
    H&R Block5/10

    1.3 out of 5

    TrustScore from 1,493 reviews on Trustpilot

    • 1.3 out of 5, against 4 out of 5

    Source: trustpilot.com ↗

    TaxAct8/10

    4 out of 5

    TrustScore from 8,378 reviews on Trustpilot

    Source: trustpilot.com ↗

    TaxAct wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.

  2. Round 2Who files federal freeTie
    H&R Block7/10

    Simple returns only

    free federal for simple returns

    Source: wealthvieu.com ↗

    TaxAct7/10

    Simple returns only

    free federal for simple returns

    Source: wealthvieu.com ↗

    Nothing to separate them here.

  3. Round 3How many people qualify for freeH&R Block wins
    H&R Block8/10

    About 52% of filers qualify

    H&R Block Online (Free Online, Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; tax-season-end prices shown Oct 2026

    Source: hrblock.com ↗

    TaxAct5/10

    ~40% of TaxAct filers qualified

    TaxAct Online (Free, Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; regular prices (new-customer $70 flat offer on homepage ignored)

    • ~40% of TaxAct filers qualified, against About 52% of filers qualify

    Source: taxact.com ↗

    H&R Block wins this round on what the published sources say.

  4. Round 4State return on the free tierH&R Block wins
    H&R Block8/10

    $0 per state on Free Online

    H&R Block Online (Free Online, Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; tax-season-end prices shown Oct 2026

    Source: hrblock.com ↗

    TaxAct5/10

    $54.99 per state on Free

    TaxAct Online (Free, Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; regular prices (new-customer $70 flat offer on homepage ignored)

    • $54.99 per state on Free, against $0 per state on Free Online

    Source: taxact.com ↗

    H&R Block wins this round on what the published sources say.

  5. Round 5What it costs to startTaxAct wins
    H&R Block5/10

    $65 Deluxe (federal, per return)

    H&R Block Online (Free Online, Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; tax-season-end prices shown Oct 2026

    • $65 Deluxe (federal, per return), against $59.99 Deluxe (federal, per return)

    Source: hrblock.com ↗

    TaxAct8/10

    $59.99 Deluxe (federal, per return)

    TaxAct Online (Free, Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; regular prices (new-customer $70 flat offer on homepage ignored)

    Source: taxact.com ↗

    TaxAct wins this round on what the published sources say.

  6. Round 6What each state return costsH&R Block wins
    H&R Block8/10

    $49 per state (Deluxe)

    H&R Block Online (Free Online, Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; tax-season-end prices shown Oct 2026

    Source: hrblock.com ↗

    TaxAct5/10

    $64.99 per state (Deluxe)

    TaxAct Online (Free, Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; regular prices (new-customer $70 flat offer on homepage ignored)

    • $64.99 per state (Deluxe), against $49 per state (Deluxe)

    Source: taxact.com ↗

    H&R Block wins this round on what the published sources say.

  7. Round 7Filing as self-employedTaxAct wins
    H&R Block5/10

    $130 Self-Employed (federal)

    H&R Block Online (Free Online, Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; tax-season-end prices shown Oct 2026

    • $130 Self-Employed (federal), against $109.99 Self-Employed (federal)

    Source: hrblock.com ↗

    TaxAct8/10

    $109.99 Self-Employed (federal)

    TaxAct Online (Free, Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; regular prices (new-customer $70 flat offer on homepage ignored)

    Source: taxact.com ↗

    TaxAct wins this round on what the published sources say.

  8. Round 8Getting a live tax expertTaxAct wins
    H&R Block5/10

    Included from Deluxe ($65)

    H&R Block Online (Free Online, Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; tax-season-end prices shown Oct 2026

    • Included from Deluxe ($65), against Xpert Assist from $45 (Free + expert)

    Source: hrblock.com ↗

    TaxAct8/10

    Xpert Assist from $45 (Free + expert)

    TaxAct Online (Free, Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed), price per federal return, state per state filed; regular prices (new-customer $70 flat offer on homepage ignored)

    Source: taxact.com ↗

    TaxAct wins this round on what the published sources say.

H&R BlockH&R Block
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TaxActTaxAct
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Side by side

H&R BlockBest for how many people qualify for freeH&R Block
Check price
TaxActTop ratedTaxAct
Check price
Overall score
6.9
6.9
Price
See price
See price
How many people qualify for free
8.0
6.5
Who files federal free
7.0
7.0
What customers say on Trustpilot
6.0
8.0
What it costs to start
6.5
8.0
What each state return costs
8.0
5.0
Head-to-head findings
How many people qualify for free
About 52%
~40% of TaxAct filers qualified
Who files federal free
Simple returns only
Simple returns only
What customers say on Trustpilot
1.3 out of 5
4 out of 5
What it costs to start
$65 Deluxe (federal, per return)
$59.99 Deluxe (federal, per return)
What each state return costs
$49 per state (Deluxe)
$64.99 per state (Deluxe)
Filing as self-employed
$130 Self-Employed (federal)
$109.99 Self-Employed (federal)
Getting a live tax expert
Included from Deluxe ($65)
Xpert Assist from $45 (Free + expert)
State return on the free tier
$0 per state on Free Online
$54.99 per state on Free
Record
Head-to-head record
1–1
2–0
Head-to-heads won
50 %
100 %
Rounds won
50 %
56 %
Pros
      Cons
      • Included from Deluxe ($65), against Expert Assist Basic $59 (simple)
      • 1.3 out of 5, against 4 out of 5
      • $65 Deluxe (federal, per return), against $59.99 Deluxe (federal, per return)
      • $130 Self-Employed (federal), against $109.99 Self-Employed (federal)
      • $54.99 per state on Free, against $0 state on Free Edition
      • $64.99 per state (Deluxe), against Up to $64 per state (paid tiers)
      • ~40% of TaxAct filers qualified, against About 52% of filers qualify
      • $54.99 per state on Free, against $0 per state on Free Online
      Add a third option to this comparison →

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