FreeTaxUSA vs H&R Block (2026)
H&R Block Free Online files simple returns with a state for $0, which beats FreeTaxUSA's $15.99 state fee. Once you sell stock or run a business, FreeTaxUSA stays at $15.99 while H&R Block costs $154 to $179 with one state (2025 returns). H&R Block adds offices and tax pro review.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
| Feature | FreeTaxUSA | H&R Block |
|---|---|---|
| Free federal | Federal $0 for all supported situations | Free Online $0 |
| Free for whom | Everyone, no income limit; covers self-employment, investments, rentals and itemizing (not foreign earned income, nonresident returns or filers living abroad) | Simple returns: W-2, interest and dividends up to $1,500, unemployment, retirement distributions, EITC, Child Tax Credit, student loan interest; H&R Block says about 52% of filers (no itemizing, HSA or Schedules C, D, E) |
| Paid federal | Federal $0; optional Deluxe $7.99, Pro Support $64.99, Audit Defense $19.99 | Deluxe $65; Premium $105; Self-Employed $130 |
| Per state | $15.99 per state | $49 per state on paid tiers |
| Expert help | Pro Support $64.99 (tax pro by phone, final review); Deluxe $7.99 is live chat with support staff | Tax Pro Review add-on ($75 to $225 with the tier); Assisted filing from $99 in office or virtual |
| Simple W-2 return + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $0 (Free Online) |
| Stock sales + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $154 (Premium) |
| Self-employed + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $179 (Self-Employed) |
| IRS Free File | Yes: free federal and state with AGI of $51,000 or less ($89,000 for active-duty military) | No (not on the IRS Free File partner list for tax year 2025) |
| Best for | Cost-conscious filers with investments, rentals or self-employment income | Filers who want an office to walk into or a tax pro review if they get stuck |
Prices for 2025 returns (the 2026 filing season), read on each company's site on October 19, 2026; prices for 2026 returns had not been published yet. Totals are our arithmetic for federal plus one state on the cheapest tier that handles each case, before add-ons.
Key differences
H&R Block Free Online covers W-2 income, interest and dividends up to $1,500, unemployment, retirement distributions, the EITC, Child Tax Credit and student loan interest, with the state included. Itemizing, an HSA, stock sales or business income push you to Deluxe ($65), Premium ($105) or Self-Employed ($130), each plus $49 per state.
FreeTaxUSA charges nothing federal for any supported situation and $15.99 per state. Its paid extras are support, not forms: Deluxe $7.99 (live chat, amended returns, storage), Pro Support $64.99 (a tax pro and final review), Audit Defense $19.99.
H&R Block has offices for assisted filing (from $99) and sells Tax Pro Review on any tier ($75 to $225 in total). FreeTaxUSA is online only. FreeTaxUSA is in IRS Free File (AGI of $51,000 or less); H&R Block is not.
Where FreeTaxUSA wins
- Federal $0 with stock sales, rentals, a business and K-1s, with no income limit
- State returns at $15.99 each, far below the per-state fees on TurboTax or H&R Block paid tiers
- Phone access to a Tax Pro for a $64.99 add-on
- Prior-year federal returns for 2018 to 2024 also $0
Where H&R Block wins
- Free Online includes the state return and covers unemployment and retirement income
- Paid tiers cost less than TurboTax's: Premium is $105 against $139
- Tax Pro Review and in-person offices if you want a person involved
- You can bring in last year's return from another preparer by uploading the Form 1040
Which should you use?
Pick FreeTaxUSA if
- You have stock sales, rentals, a side business or itemized deductions and want to pay $0 for the federal return anyway.
- You are comfortable answering the interview yourself and want help only as an option.
- You need to file a past year from 2018 to 2024: the federal return is still $0.
Pick H&R Block if
- Your return is simple (W-2, unemployment, retirement income, small amounts of interest) and you want federal and state for $0.
- You want an office you can walk into, or a tax pro to check your return, if the software is not enough.
- You have unemployment income: unlike TurboTax Free Edition, Free Online includes it.
FreeTaxUSA vs H&R Block: FAQ
Is FreeTaxUSA cheaper than H&R Block?
For anything beyond a simple return, yes: $15.99 for federal plus one state, against $154 (Premium) or $179 (Self-Employed) at H&R Block for 2025 returns. For a simple return, H&R Block Free Online is $0 with the state.
Can I get in-person help with FreeTaxUSA?
No. FreeTaxUSA is online only; Pro Support ($64.99) gives phone and screen-share access to a tax pro. H&R Block has offices.
Compare these against every option in our tax software comparison.
We summarize each product's published pricing and features, not user reviews. Facts come from our full reviews of both products, each checked against the company's own pages on October 19, 2026 with every source listed. Tax-software prices change through the season. We do not earn commissions from these companies. Nothing here is tax advice.