H&R Block At Home Premium includes everything needed to easily complete federal and state taxes — with the tax expertise you can trust. With an easy-to-use interface, H&R Block At Home Premium searches for hundreds of deductions to get the biggest refund. Ideal for homeowners, investors, rental property owners, and self-employed Schedule C filers, the program includes features available only from H&R Block, such as built-in expertise, expert advice from our community of tax specialists, including live tax advice from an H&R Block enrolled agent — and, best of all, our Maximum Refund Guarantee*. Best Features:- Live tax advice
- Schedule C guidance
- Tax laws and planning resources
- Rental income deductions
- Advanced tax calculators
Excellent Product for the Price By Centerra
I have almost all my tax information already and wanted to start early. So far so good. I've used this product for at least 5 years now and it has always worked fine. No problem with State or electronic filing in the past, and I'll update about this year's experience. I use a Mac OS 10.5 which is getting old and everything still works fine.
I think this software is pretty much the same as before. Small upgrades and small glitches fixed. Transfer of deductions from Deduction Finder is still lacking, but that is a secondary program (free) that you use online at the HR site. I used to use Turbo Tax many years ago, but they got too pricey. Looking at that program again I see it still has bells and whistles, and still costs more than HR Block. HR Block also has free Federal e-file. In the years I've used it, never a problem.
At Home is still behind looks and some minor functions that Turbo Tax has, but if you are like me, and looking for utility, ease of use, and getting the job done with as little effort as possible, then I think you might consider trying this program.
It also includes their program Deduction Finder, something that can save you $$$ if you use deductions, and also you get some free time with HR Block tax specialists if necessary.
I am not gifted in math or tax law, and I find this program very easy to use. The questions are to the point, and the help feature actually answers most of my questions. It is good to know that I can also have a consultation with and HR Block professional if necessary.
Bottom line is that it gets the job done, is backed by HR Block (they also throw in some audit protection for free), and it costs less than Turbo Tax. So if using a product just a little behind in terms of fancy stuff is not a big deal, then I think this product will fit the bill.tax forms not yet updated By Neutralist
As of this review 1/9/2013, the tax forms have not yet been updated. In fact, the IRS hasn't published the final forms and extended the filing date to 1/30/2013, but the deadline stays to April 15th. HR Block has an update scheduled for 1/10/2013, so I will provide update if the download actually includes the new forms. Otherwise, any of the interview forms on this product will need to be revisited when the new forms are available. You can buy the product now (and find any cheap deals), but wait to do your taxes until Feb 1 to avoid doing taxes twice - once now, then once again after the forms are updated to review all of the entries for any changes.
This product installed on Windows 7 with no problems. I've used both HR Block and TurboTax for the last 15 years and always seem to comeback to Taxcut except for once a few years ago when TurboTax was actually easier/better. I have rental properties so need the extras& that Premium version provides beyond the Deluxe release.
--Update 1/10/2013 --
H&R Block released a product update as scheduled today. After installation, the interviews still have notice "This interview isn't final" with update notice that you can complete the return if you don't need to use some of the forms that IRS has still pending for final update.
Also, If you file before 1/30/2013, then H&R will accept your electronic filing, then submit the filings to IRS in the order received.
Next product update is scheduled for 1/24/2013.
-- Update 1/21/2013 --
H&R Block released an update ahead of schedule. The interview screens no longer have the notice so I would assume that the forms are now final. Having said that, the State download is not yet available. State download section says that State will be available 1/18/2013. Well, today is 1/21/2013 so they are behind schedule but I'm sure they will eventually release in time. It's not like IRS will process returns before the 30th anyways.
-- Update 2/13/2013 --
Most, if not all state downloads are available. However, IRS is still not processing returns with more complicated returns such as ones containing Mortgage Interest Credit.
-- PRODUCT REVIEW ----
I have just completed my return for both Federal and State (VA). The import functionality worked flawlessly from previous year return completed using At Home & Business version. Installation on Windows 7 Ultimate was easy and the patches and "updates" were prompt and mostly accurate. Any delays were the result of the government and not of H&R Block.
The user interface is similar to previous versions - no surprises here. However, the meter that shows the amount owed/return is limited to five digits. This shouldn't be a problem to 90% of the returns, but could be distracting if you enter all the income first and deductions later.
The interviews are the same as last year. It guides you step by step in filling out all the forms all the way to finish.
The one problem I had was when using the "IMPORT" function to import my "Sale of Stocks and Other Assets" from TDAmeritrade. Clicking the Import button prompts for the TDAmeritrade username/password, but then it says "Your import was unsuccessful" and tells me to manually enter from paper documents. While this is not a problem if you had a few entries, but this could take a while if you had a long list of sales.
My return is complete, but I will hold out until end of March to make sure that any further changes are reflected and filed correctly the first time.
Strongly recommended.Big problem with missed deductions By Laurie
When going through the tax credits section there is no prompt to enter child care expenses unless you paid for a non-dependent or paid in a different year. When I did an online chat they were unable to resolve it....I should have known when the service person asked what page I was on and there are no pages displayed. He suggested I check the box for expenses paid in a different year...that did not work. He finally decided he could not help me and would send it up the chain. What a waste of 45 minutes! That is a pretty big deduction to miss. The Best-Selling H&R Block At Home 2012 Premium then to sell out very fast, if this is a must have product, be sure to order now to avoid disappointment.
