H&R Block / HRB Digital
reviews and complaints

We took our tax info to H&R Block, and were told that the only preparer that could handle them was Julie Black, the Regional Manager for this area. This was a business that started in November of 2016, so there were only 2 months of taxes to prepare. That was in April. We are still waiting.

Julie filed an extension for us, at which point I advised her of the necessity of completing the taxes in a timely manner, as TWO families were waiting on this return to be done before they could file their personal returns. She said she understood. Then she pushed the return out until after the April 15 tax season. Despite repeated calls, we STILL have not gotten our taxes back. We always have to leave messages for her, and are only ever told that taxes will be done "soon".

This morning, I FINALLY managed to get her on the phone and asked when our taxes would be done. She told me that she had been in the hospital, and I told her that at this point, I was sorry, but I didn't care. I wanted a date for completion. She told me it would be the end of the month. I told her that was NOT acceptable. She said that's why she filed an extension. I reiterated that we'd told her we had two families waiting on the return, and we hadn't filed an extension so that she could wait until the end of it to complete the work. I told her I was not willing to wait, and wanted to pick my taxes (unfinished) up today. I said if they were not ready, I would raise holy hell in the office and intended to escalate this matter up the chain. She told me not to threaten her, and hung up on me. I will never do business with H&R Block again, either for business or personal taxes.

H & R has an employee who is working out of the Fairfield CA, facility by the name of Tammy Kaleczyc. Tammy has been arrested multiple times long criminal record along with stealing personal information such as Social securities and manufacturing and cashing stolen checks. You can look up her record, Ms. Kaleczyc was released out of jail months ago last arrest was cashing a fake check at a super market in Solano county. My concern is that at H & R Block obviously deals with social securities for tax purposes. I would hate to see Tammy ruin more people's lives by continuing to mess with their personal sensitive information. You should not have someone with such extended record working nowhere near delicate personal information. Please I hope you look into my concern and verify i'm not lying. By looks seems as H & R does not run background checks on it's employees's, otherwise Tammy would have never been hired. I hope this is looked at with importance if not i will write a complaint to higher Management and will inquire with BBB how I can be heard. Thank you for your time.

Dear Sir/Ma'am,

I have been availing services of H&R Block for my income tax return filing for past 3 years. By and large I had received efficient services during these years, hence, I decided to avail similar service for the current year return filing. Kindly note that not only did I not get any proper advise by the adviser assigned to me this year, he now is choosing not to respond on my queries and/or provide me with the proper analysis for filing return.

As the last date for filing return is nearing, I would request some other tax expert be assigned my case for assistance.

Thanks & Regards,
Soumya
[protected]@gmail.com

The Mason City Iowa H & R Block office prepared my 2014 taxes at my request. They placed me with an inexperienced agent even though I had explained I was i receipt of a large court settlement and did not want to risk any future problems with this filing. Despite my up front concern, the franchise owner placed me with an agent who was inexperienced. It came back to bite me in the backside as I was notified by the IRS in 2015 that my taxes were figured correctly and that I owed an additional $10k plus. For a year I tried to get in touch with the franchise owner but she would not take my calls or return them. When I finally caught up with her she claimed is was a mere problem of placing an amount on the wrong line and agreed to clear the matter with the IRS by sending them a letter of explanation. She has done nothing of the sort. The amount owed along with interest and penalties has grown substantially. I have made countless attempts to again connect with her without any success. The IRS withheld my 2016 state and federal returns. They are now threatening additional action and I need help with this matter at once. Please help me. John Schutz [protected]. schutz.[protected]@yahoo.com

Hi, for years I've been filing my with H&R Block, and never had any type of issues, but in march-April I decided to go get my taxes done as usual and, the girl that was helping me was new and didn't really know what she was doing or saying but I have her a chance, take in I had to pay 114$ to get my taxes done, she didn't even want me to cash a check she wanted me to get my refund put in my account which I later agreed, but then comes my gst refund day arrives and I have nothing in my account, I'm with TD, and they usually deposit by 305am, I received an email from [protected]@directcash.net, saying ; (106.75 deposit has been processed, expect 2 bus Day delivery to your direct deposit account, H&R fees remaining 0.00$. Msg/Data rates may apply.).. later that day I received the gst, now were July 5th and I still didn't get anything, got the same email, stating I will receive my $$ in two bus days, I never signed up for this, it's very rude and disrespectful that I have to wait an extra day or two for something that's supposed to be deposited at 3am, I would love to escalate this to higher level, it's unacceptable, and to think I recommended this company to friends and family, worst idea ever, I want this issue resolved quick, so this won't happen to my nxt gst payment, and I already know o July 10th I will not get my $$ on time, thank you for reading, I am waiting for your response..

I contacted Anthony Masella, the district manager for H&R Block back in June to ask for helping fixing a problem that was created by your company. My taxes were prepared in the Wayne, NJ office on 2/14/17. The person preparing my taxes, made a monumental mistake when filing my taxes. I tried to active the Peace of Mind claim and not only is the claim not going through, but ignorance on behalf of the person processing that claim is making any sort if resolution come to a halt. The district manager, Anthony Masella, assigned my problem to a person in the Wayne, NJ office, but so far she has not been able to resolve my problem due to the run around she keeps getting from the claims department. I need to speak to someone, other than Anthony Masella, about how to achieve a speedy resolution regarding this problem. I am contacting Consumer Affairs as well.
Beth Carlson

I (Carolyn) went to an H & R Block here in Oklahoma City, on May and Britton, in which I use to work for your facility in January 2011 through 2014. Apparently one of the office manager that I use to work for, as well as, that still work for H & R Block did my emerald card for me. As of this week I have been calling contumaciously, because someone has taken my card off file, in which it will not allow me to make any purchases in the store, through a drive through, or to get any money off this card. I am continuously still calling to speak with a supervisor. Your employees (foreigners) that you have answering the phone don't understand nothing nor can comprehend what my complaint is all about. It is a shame that this company suppose to be the leading Tax Service here in Oklahoma, and all of a sudden NO one can give me clarity Why? my card is inactive, why? I can't use it through a drive through or purchase, when I've been using it in the past 6 months. I need someone of higher up to call me to explain and give me clarity why? this is going on and to get my card back on track. My number you can reach me is [protected].

On about 25 May 2017 I received a notice from the IRS stating there was an error on my 2015 taxes and that I owed $1600. ~I contacted the H&R office who had completed my taxes for that year and was put in contact with Cidenua Keith at the Westway office, Wichita KS. who would be handling the issue. Upon initial contact, she stated that I had not purchased "peace of mind" but it would be added and the fee would be waived, because it appeared to be their fault, but it needed to be looked into further. ~After 2 weeks of no contact, I was finally able to track her down (the day before my payment was due to the IRS). She met with me and kept referring to me making the payment, but admitted that the person who did my taxes was the one who made the mistake (information provided by myself on my W2 was entered incorrectly resulting in an overpayment to myself). I finally explained to her that I was a disabled, retired veteran of 25 years, currently unemployed and did not have the money to send them. She stated that she couldn't help me and the reason was due to the fact that I had not purchased "peace of mind". I could tell she was 'pulling at straws' but was not going to help me. I told her that I was going to file a complaint and she should notify her boss, and I left the office. ~I set up a payment plan with the IRS to pay them $100 / month, which I could only afford by making cuts elsewhere in my budget. ~This week I received a 'generic' letter from a claims manager and a check for $344 releasing me from further liability if I cashed it. I cashed it today because I need the money, I DO NOT RELEASE FURTHER OBLIGATION, and the amount of $1300 is still incurred by H&R Block for their mistake. ~I will not let this issue go! I do hope that this is not the normal practice of a business with such a long standing name. The lack of integrity, proper judgement and unethical practice I have experienced in dealing with these persons is amazing. If a resolve is not met within a timely manner, I will be forced to use every resource at my disposal to force H&R block to do the right thing. The amount of negative publicity generated from this storm will far out shadow the act of doing the right thing and $1600. Thank You. ~~Toney Turner - 5416 S. Gold - Wichita KS 67217

Date/Month of incident - June 2017

H&R block office consulted - 2108 Silvernail Rd, Pewaukee, WI 53072

Description of issue - I filed my tax return for 2015 through H&R block in Feb 2016 and upon advice from the H&R agent/consultant, amended my 2015 return in Feb 2017. The amendment was also filed through H&R block, same tax agent/consultant. As per H&R block estimation, I was to receive a refund of 1300+ US dollars. However, in May 2017, I received a notice from IRS that as per their calculation, I owe IRS 900+ US dollars!
Upon sending all required docs to the same H&R block tax agent/consultant, there was no response to the email. Later, contacted the corporate customer service and they arranged for an in-person meeting with the same agent. The tax agent/consultant checked and confirmed that it was a mistake on his side. He said that he will get the amendment revoked, so as per him I would not require to pay any money back to IRS. He said he will confirm back in 3 days. More than 5 days passed, and since the deadline to respond back to IRS was approaching, I again followed up and the tax agent / consultant tells me that revocation is not possible and that I pay the money to IRS!
I contacted the branch again and when asked for how they would compensate for this loss, they said they will raise a claim for me to reimburse me the amount that I have to pay back to IRS and also for the fees they charged me for 2015 tax return.
However, I was told that manager is not in office and I would get further details only once he returns. Now no one answers my call in this office! Hopefully someone contacts me soon!

Desirable resolution - H&R Block Silvernail office should immediately process my claim. I should also be paid the amount that H&R told me I would get a refund. After all, I filed this amendment only because H&R block told me to do so! And now, I am going through all this mental stress just because of their mistake!

I went to H&R Block for the first time in march I had to file for 2 years 2015 and 2016 Mary at Austin street location did my taxes for me I was charged 600 dollars for the 2 years 2 weeks later my accounts where leavied I called they took my information no one even called me back to help me this week I received a letter that I owe another 11303 dollars for 2015 I went back to H&R Block for help after calling the state myself and put a hold on the account until July to see what I can figure out before having to make a payment plan
I was told that Mary never added a protection plan nor offered one so I would have to pay 60 dollars the lady that was helping me Sonia then says it's 200 dollars all as she did wa whet the state on the phone and hand it to me doing the same thing I did got nothing resolved and I still have to call by July and make a payment plan charged me 200 dollars for doing absolutely nothing after going to pay her for nothing her credit card machine was down I advised her to bill me I just don't understand why I'm paying for services of 200 dollars when she did nothing exactly what I did myself I am so upset with the service first Mary did not make us aware that we would owe any money at all she said wait for a letter in the mail we wouldn't have to pay anything but a small penalty if anything and if there's any problem to bring it back to her needless to say Marynever returned any of our calls and no one helped us after calling the office they took down the information and never followed up with it I was told today that Maryd knew the whole time that we had a fee to pay that we could have taken care of way before any of this happen to us words can't even express how upset I am

I used the H&R Block free software to file my 2016 taxes this year, and recently received notification from the IRS that I was missing a form. Rather than try to correct the mistake on my own, I made an appointment to meet with a "tax pro." I worked with the agent to amend the error.

In attending to completing the missing form, The Agent noticed that I could an receive additional refund, but quickly stated it would cost $99 to refile. I asked why I would be charged to fix a mistake the software failed to catch, and he suggested it was foolish to blame the software for my user error, due to not being trained on the software. I referenced your company's "biggest refund" guarantee and he said "Well you used the free software so you get what you pay for." I asked why I would be penalized for not being able to afford access to a better product, and the agent responded "I will not belabor this point with you. You made your point and I made mine."

This interaction really troubled me because it suggested that this H&R Block employee does not care about customers who cannot afford superior tax software. It also suggested that because I am low-income, I somehow do not deserve affordable access to the resources that will help me file my taxes or resolve tax issues. This classist behavior should not be tolerated in any environment, let alone one created by a company that is designed to help individuals receive the biggest tax refund possible, as for many low income people a tax refund is the biggest amount of money received at any one point in the year. I am very disappointed with this experience, and will be working with a different company for future tax filings.

Thank you,
[removed]

I had my 2017 taxes prepared on March 13. When I returned home, I found that the preparer had omitted several deductions. I called and they said would do an amended 1040. Since the error was on the H&R Block office, I brought to their attention the guarantee of reimbursing the preparation fee.

The preparer had me sign a paper and told me I would receive the refund of $484.50. That this process could take up to eight weeks. It is now June 1 and I have heard nothing. I have sent several emails just asking for the status with no response. I would just appreciate the courtesy of a response and the status of my refund. Since the check was made out to H&R Block, I don't understand the delay. If someone could assist with finding an answer for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you

I recently filed my taxes with the down town H&R block in Red Deer, AB and thanks to Linda Booth I will never be returning to H&R Block. She was incredibly rude to me the entire process. Several times I almost told her to forget it and walked out. I am completely shocked at her attitude towards her clients and I can't believe they would have an employee that knows so little. I am completely offended and insulted by the service I received. You have lost my business, as well as my boyfriend's and my entire family. I asked her to explain my tax return to me, asking how it determines how much is returned and she LAUGHED at me, and replied "IT doesn't decide, IT isn't just determined, I put the numbers in the computer and the computer calculates." I told her that I realized that, but I wanted to know what determines my return and she shrugged and replied, "The computer does." Later she told me I did not receive enough back to get cash back and I asked her about Western Union cheques. She leaned across the table and said very slowly "You. Didn't. Make. Enough. Back. For. Cash. Back." I asked, "Are those not different things?" And she rolled her eyes at me and did not even answer. My tax return took a very long time to complete, much longer than usual, during that time she misspelled my name several, several times and I had to keep correcting her. She was having problems with the computer and kept sighing and groaning and complaining, getting angry with the system and banging her hand on the counter. When finally finished, I told her I had received a discount coupon, which she looked at and immediately waved it off, saying she did not know what it was, it was out of her field and she would not use it. I am outraged at how degrading and insulting her behaviour and language was. Her name is Linda Booth, from 4711 51 Avenue, Red Deer, AB.

I live in Kirkland Quebec, Canada. If it is normal for your offices to charge over 100 dollars for a simple tax return (CPP, Universal child credit) then ignore this comment.

Last week, I went to your office at 2748 St.Charles and asked the lady for a quote and was stunned when she said over 100 dollars. I was expecting less than 50 dollars because of the simplicity. I refused and instead used your online form and did it in less than 15 minutes (thank you very much!).

I think she was trying to take advantage of me because I am elderly and made the mistake of telling her I am not good with the internet.

Hello

I have had my taxes prepared by a local representative in the Oswego, IL office for many years. This past tax preparation year I used an independent CPA. My independent CPA found that my taxes were improperly prepared for the past several years, regarding the exercising of stock options. We are now resubmitting our taxes for the past several years and expect to receive +$40, 000 in refunds. I have had to take out loans to pay taxes several years ago and have now found that I would not have needed to do so, had my taxes been prepared properly.

At very least, I'd like to be reimbursed for the tax preparation fees, whether past your deadline for submitting complaints or not. I was a loyal H&R Block customer and paid excess taxes as a result.

My taxes were done by James Papp, incorrectly for last year, I ended up owing the state of Illinois. I took my letter from the state and my copies of my taxes to the office on April 20th, location Neidringhaus Ave in granite city Il. 62040
I have called twice and my taxes and paperwork are now at the other office in granite city on Namioki rd, they have had my paperwork for a month now with no answers, I was told h and r block would pay the fees and penalties since they did them wrong. I am now getting calls from state of Illinois that I'm going to collections, this is unacceptable. the woman at the office that is in charge of the paperwork for the payment h and r block needs to make is the one in possession of my taxes. I need to know what is going on and I need them paid and taken care of. I will never use h and r block again and will discourage my friends and family from there as well.
I want a refund of what I paid to have my taxes done and I want the fees and penalties paid.
Thank you
I will be going to the office in person Saturday morning to collect my paperwork as well.

I had my accounts prepared on 9th May 2017 in the Waltham office, River St,

a) I paid by credit card a sum of $592 although only $449 was itemized as Tax preparation in my 2016 accounts. Why is there this discrepancy?

Last year I paid in the region of $450, although only $371 was itemized in the accounts.

b) Why has there been an almost 30% increase in my tax preparation fees, although this years account are pretty similar to last years, and the year before. The preparation took less than an hour - so why this extraordinary amount ?

At this rate next year you will charge me over $700 which I am not prepared to pay.

I would appreciate a prompt reply. My email is [protected]@brandeis.edu

(Dr) Mari Fitzduff

My Soc Sec number is [protected] - feel free to use it to search your accounts.

Subject: Charged too much for services rendered...$388.68
( 1 hour extra over billed)

Who: Charles Fung - Tax Professional
Where: Mill Woods Town Centre (MWTC) location
When: April 28, 2017

Details: On April 7, 2017 I (Ellison Saroop) went into H&R Block office in MWTC mall location to have tax 2016 returns done. Was not like before, where it was organized, this time there was no updates to my file. The gentleman in question that I was referred to from the reception was the Who in the above. He did not have a good grasp of the English language.
Nevertheless it was sufficient to understand. However when I was in his cubicle the phone rang twice it was his wife both times, he explain that they were planning a vacation.
This was the first time for me where I had to file taxes with a small portfolio of stocks. Not sure what I had to do. Regardless of this, Who informed me of what I needed to get to him. One week later I returned with the requested documents.
The following week I was in the mall I decided to check on the status of my taxes. When I saw Mr. Fung, he stated that he needed more tax data and it was an oversight on his part. He stated that he tried to call me with the numbers what was on file but could not get through. I had changed my home number previously but not my mobile. This ought to have done when first came in, the necessary updates. I guess it was not that urgent to him. Managed to get the required data to H&R Block by Sunday April 23, 2017, Charles Fung had the day off. Was back at the mall the following Friday to check and pay my debt.
Reasons to consider:
1) I thought he over charge me, my justification for this is he asked several times how the stocks were doing for me? He knew what the answer was before I did; I think he want to see my reaction. (-15 minutes)
2) The time it took to complete my taxes was longer than expected, my justification, the delayed, for this was for his incompetence, by not first having updated client demographically information. Do not assume that all the data is the same.
Firstly, when one accepts to do the job at hand one ought to get the entire client's information. For example one's contact numbers! (-15 minutes)
Secondly, the oversight on his part, there ought to be compensation for his mistake. (-30 minutes)
Total time -1 hour
I would like to be reimbursed 1 hour of the fees charged to me, if this request is reasonable, please forward to my home address:

Ellison B. Saroop
#216, 3425 19 St, NW
Edmonton, AB
T6T 2B5

My common law boyfriend and I finally found time time to do our taxes and we are outraged at the lack of customer service.

Squire and I and our 4 month old baby sat for an hour and a half for the guy helping us at the Seton location in Calgary Ab to tell us they messed up our profile and they wouldn't call tec support and asked us to leave. He didn't offer to call around to get us into a different location.

The guy helping us made me feel like I was a inconvenience and with a 4 month yr old and did not seem to care we waited for an hour and a half.

I am beyond speechless, and I almost was in tears due to stress.

I went to HR Block for the 1st time on April 13th 2017 as I had received a Notice of Deficiency letter from IRS for my 2014 return. My Dad had left me stock after his death which I sold and did not declare as income I guess? I did not/do not understand it. I informed Socorro Navidad, my so-called "Tax Expert" that the notice is why I came to them. I brought the letter and all paperwork associated with the 2014 return.
She seemed very rushed and basically focused on my 2016 return. Had I not received the Notice of Deficiency I wouldn't have been​ there. She looked at the notice briefly and said all I had to do was fill in Schedule D. I could do it myself and it was easy she said. She asked me to come back on Saturday April 15 2017 at 12pm to finish my 2016 return. I went home, read over the notice quickly from IRS.
YES, IRS wanted Schedule D but also form 8949? Socorro did not give me proper information yet she is expert? Still no biggie I thought I will ask her Saturday. I went to my appointment at noon 4/15/17. They couldn't find my appointment and asked me to come back at 2pm which I reluctantly did. I told her the Notice required another form it said. She printed 8949 and circled totals on my 1099 forms to put on forms. I was still confused and asked if I should do an amended 2014 return after completing the forms or should I go to Tax Court which gave me until May 1st to file or should I ask for an abatement? She didn't really answer, just that I should mail both forms asap and it's easy which I believed. That day I was already upset and stressed. My daughter was readmitted to ICU Psychiatric Unit in Scotland and I wanted to leave asap to call Drs. I just wanted my taxes over with but I wasn't thinking clearly. I was even crying in the office about my seriously ill daughter, Socorro was sympathetic but I felt rushed as far as the Notice was concerned.
I got to reading the Instructions for form 8949 and Schedule D for 2014. I didn't understand the instructions, I could not focus properly. It wasn't "easy" at all. I didn't want to make a mistake.
After days of stressing and reading up on what I should do ( time was running out for May 1st deadline) When I realised I was charged $333 from her I was beyond angry. I thought why am I doing this? The reason I went there to Professionals was my 2014 return.
I paid $333 for what? Help specifically with that! I tried to make another appointment and she had none available. It said on appt. site to call the office with questions year round and to call there to cancel Peace of Mind coverage I "opted" for. The office is closed until January 2018! I wanted Socorro to finish her job! Why was I stressing about this? What the heck did I pay over $300 for? I emailed her to no avail. No phone number except the office number. I am so upset. I will NEVER use HR block again EVER.
How can HR Block justify this total? It should have cost me $59.99 deluxe edition as again I could've filed 2016 myself. It's straightforward. I I filed for Tax Court myself. I'm still not sure if that was the right thing to do and paid $60.00 for that now. It has cost me $400 so far for absolutely nothing!
I would like a refund asap and wait patiently for some response. It is terrible customer service and instead of Peace of Mind. HR Block gave me opposite. It's shameful.