As tax season approaches, many taxpayers turn to tax preparation services such as H&R Block for help. One question that often comes up is whether or not payments made to these companies can be deducted from their taxes. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about deducting H&R Block payments from your taxes.
The Short Answer
No, you cannot deduct the cost of tax preparation services like H&R Block from your income taxes.
Why You Cannot Deduct Tax Preparation Fees
The IRS established rules explicitly disallowing taxpayers itemizing most miscellaneous expenses on Form 1040 Schedule A. Those costs include fees paid for tax-preparation software and other professional assistance with preparing and e-filing returns.
Prior to changes in tax laws in 2018 under the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA), some individual filers could claim a deduction for miscellaneous expenses related only to qualified unreimbursed employee job expenses that rose above two percent of their adjusted gross income(AGI). However, now it no longer accepts any kind of deductions given by the TCJA has suspended through December 31, 2025.
Are There Any Exceptions?
There are some situations where you may be able to claim a deduction for tax preparation fees:
1- If you’re self-employed: Small businesses can generally deduct professional service fees directly related to their trade or business on Schedule C or whichever form they use; however modest price tag .
2- If you incurred tax prep fees during a property transaction: These deductions apply if you meet eligibility criteria after purchasing an investment property and incurred certain closing costs when buying it.
3- If your employer covers some of those costs: Some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs that cover employees’ educational expenses—this includes work-related courses required by law—as well as licensing test fees or exam prep course charges.
Conclusion
If you’re considering hiring a tax preparation service like H&R Block to help with your taxes, keep in mind that their fees cannot be deducted from your income taxes on Schedule A. Although some exceptions do exist, they are not applicable to most individual taxpayers.
To ensure that you’re taking full advantage of all deductions and credits available to you based on your specific circumstances, consult a tax professional or use reliable tax-preparation software. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the latest updates related to Form 1040 Schedule A before filing this year’s returns and pay special attention if any future changes occur.
FAQs
Here are three popular FAQs related to the question of whether H&R Block can deduct payments from your taxes, along with their corresponding answers:
Q: Can I deduct my H&R Block tax preparation fees from my taxes?
A: Yes, you may be able to deduct your tax preparation fees, including those paid to H&R Block or other tax professionals, as a miscellaneous itemized deduction on Schedule A. However, changes to the tax code in recent years have limited this deduction for many taxpayers who use standard deductions rather than itemized ones. It is recommended that you consult with a tax professional or use online tax software to determine if and how much of your fees can be deducted.
Q: Does signing up for an H&R Block payment plan affect my taxes?
A: No, setting up an installment agreement with H&R Block or any other tax preparer will not in itself impact your taxes. However, it is important to note that if you do not keep up with payments according to the terms of the agreement and end up defaulting on it, this could potentially lead to negative consequences such as penalties and interest charges from the IRS.
Q: Will H&R Block automatically deduct its fee from my refund check?
A: Yes, if you choose to use H&R Block’s Refund Transfer service when filing your taxes through them, they will automatically deduct their fee for preparing your return (including any additional services like audit support) directly out of your refund before issuing it. This option can be helpful for people who don’t want upfront costs or who don’t have a bank account where a direct deposit can be made. However, there is typically an extra fee associated with using this service in addition to the regular filing fee charged by H&R block.
