[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

My wife and I went to H&R block after years of doing our own taxes. Went there because it was supposedly cheap. We were talking to the gal, and I noticed that she was using exactly the same software we were using at home! On top of that, she missed a bunch of stuff. I was under the impression that she was just a college kid hired for the tax season. On top of the that, because our taxes were more complex, each form added to the cost, so that the cost was triple what were quoted up front. I don't mind paying to have my taxes done properly, I DO mind bait and switch BS.

We pay a guy about $800 to do ours. Seem to be about the same for our friends.

Don't know your situation, but yes, that's how it works. The training is comprehensive, but don't know what the review process is like. My wife did the training but passed with flying colors and decided not to work for $17/hour. Typically a CPA owns one of these franchises. H&R Block has some tough anti-compete rules.


The industry puts a lot of fear into the public about doing your taxes and not getting it right. Avoid *aggressive*tax positions and you should be allright. I have made honest mistakes on my own and it didn't cost me a dime to fix. Just a bunch of my time.

Hey, with Geitner at the help, it should be a free-for-all these days.