H&R Block Tax Software Canada Review 2026
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $0 (basic) / $19.99 (Deluxe) / $34.99 (Premium) |
| Platform | Web, Desktop (Windows) |
| Mobile | ✅ iOS, Android |
| CRA Auto-fill | ✅ |
| NETFILE | ✅ |
| Quebec returns | ✅ Included (no extra charge) |
| Audit protection | ✅ Peace of Mind add-on |
| Expert review | ✅ Add-on |
| Assisted filing (human preparer) | ✅ In-person or virtual |
| Self-employed support | ✅ Premium tier |
Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Price/value | ★★★★ |
| Ease of use | ★★★★ |
| Feature completeness | ★★★★ |
| Audit protection | ★★★★★ |
| Assisted filing access | ★★★★★ |
| Quebec support | ★★★★★ |
| Overall | ★★★★ |
Pricing Tiers
| Plan | Price | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | T4 employment, basic credits, students |
| Deluxe | $19.99 | + T3/T5 investments, RRSP, donations, medical |
| Premium | $34.99 | + Self-employment (T2125), rental income (T776), HST/GST |
| Peace of Mind (add-on) | $14.99–$34.99 | Audit representation for DIY returns |
| Expert review (add-on) | $39.99+ | Tax professional reviews before filing |
| Virtual assisted filing | $50–$200+ | Human preparer completes your return remotely |
| In-person assisted filing | $75–$250+ | Office appointment with a preparer |
H&R Block vs TurboTax: Side-by-Side
| Feature | H&R Block Premium ($34.99) | TurboTax Premium ($34.99) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 per return | $34.99 per return |
| Quebec provincial | ✅ Included | +~$15 add-on |
| Audit protection | ✅ Peace of Mind add-on | ✅ Add-on available |
| In-person assistance | ✅ Nationwide offices | ❌ Virtual only |
| Human preparer option | ✅ Yes | ✅ TurboTax Live |
| CRA Auto-fill | ✅ | ✅ |
| Self-employment | ✅ | ✅ More guided |
| Investment income | ✅ | ✅ |
| Interview experience | Good | Slightly more polished |
| Mobile app | Good | Better |
| Best for | Audit-anxious filers, Quebec, complex situations | Polished DIY experience, pure online |
What H&R Block Covers
| Income/situation | Supported tier |
|---|---|
| T4 employment income | Free+ |
| RRSP contributions and deductions | Deluxe+ |
| T5 interest and dividend income | Deluxe+ |
| T3 trust / ETF income | Deluxe+ |
| Capital gains (Schedule 3) | Deluxe+ |
| TFSA information | Free+ |
| Self-employment income (T2125) | Premium+ |
| Rental income (T776) | Premium+ |
| Home office deductions (T777, T2200) | Premium+ |
| GST/HST return (self-employed) | Premium+ |
| Quebec TP-1 provincial return | Deluxe+ (included) |
| US income / foreign property (T1135) | Deluxe+ |
| FHSA contributions | Deluxe+ |
| Medical expenses | Deluxe+ |
Peace of Mind: Is the Audit Protection Worth It?
| Plan | Peace of Mind cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| DIY returns | $14.99–$34.99 | CRA representation, coaching for reviews/audits |
| Assisted filing (preparer-prepared) | Often included | Preparer accountable for errors; H&R Block covers penalties from preparer mistakes |
Is it worth it? For most simple T4 returns — probably not. CRA reviews of straightforward employment returns are rare, and errors on simple returns are easy to correct via T1-ADJ. Peace of Mind is most valuable for: rental income, self-employment, unreported foreign income, carry-forward errors, or anyone who has previously been audited or reassessed.
When In-Person or Virtual Assisted Filing Makes Sense
| Situation | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| Very complex — business, rental, US income | Assisted (virtual or in-person) |
| First-time Canadian tax filer | Assisted — CRA registration, first return guidance |
| Death of a spouse — final and estate returns | Assisted or professional accountant |
| Divorce year with support payments, asset transfers | Assisted |
| CRA letter requiring response | Assisted with Peace of Mind |
| Simple T4, investments, RRSP | DIY Deluxe ($19.99) |
| Self-employed with straightforward expenses | DIY Premium ($34.99) |
Who Should Use H&R Block
| Profile | Good fit? |
|---|---|
| Anxious filer who wants audit backup | ✅ Peace of Mind is best-in-class |
| Quebec resident | ✅ Quebec included at no extra charge |
| May want to escalate to human help | ✅ In-person offices available nation-wide |
| Simple to moderate return | ✅ Competitive pricing |
| Family with many returns | ❌ Per-return pricing — UFile is cheaper for 3+ filers |
| Self-employed with very complex GST/HST | ❌ Consider professional accounting software or CPA |
Bottom Line
H&R Block’s key differentiators are Peace of Mind audit protection and the in-person office network — valuable if you want the safety net of human backup. Quebec is included without a surcharge, unlike TurboTax. Pricing is comparable to TurboTax for single returns, but H&R Block’s per-return model makes it more expensive than UFile for households with multiple filers. For most Canadians with moderate complexity, the DIY Deluxe or Premium tier handles everything needed.