H&R Block is the one major Canadian tax brand that pairs DIY software with in-person preparation at its own offices, alongside virtual assisted filing. This review covers what each online tier costs and handles, the Peace of Mind audit protection add-on, and when assisted filing is worth paying for. It is one of our Canadian tax software reviews; to see H&R Block against the other options, compare our best tax software in Canada picks.
H&R Block scores highest where it differs from the pure software products: audit protection, access to a human preparer and Quebec returns included in the price. Its price and ease of use score in line with the other paid products. The scoring categories are described in how we rate tax software.
Pricing Tiers
Plan
Price
Key features
Free
$0
T4 employment, basic credits, students
Deluxe
$29.99
+ donations, medical expenses, personalized tax-saving suggestions
Premier
$49.99
+ investment income, capital gains, foreign income
Self-Employed
$69.99
+ self-employment (T2125), rental income, business expenses, HST/GST
Peace of Mind (add-on)
Confirm current price
Audit representation for DIY returns
Expert review (add-on)
Confirm current price
Tax professional reviews before filing
Virtual assisted filing
Confirm current price
Human preparer completes your return remotely
In-person assisted filing
Confirm current price
Office appointment with a preparer
H&R Block’s DIY tier structure now mirrors TurboTax’s, with a dedicated Self-Employed tier separate from Premier/investment-focused pricing. These are the prices listed at hrblock.ca when this review was last checked, and they change from season to season.
H&R Block vs TurboTax
At the Self-Employed level the two cost about the same per return, but H&R Block includes Quebec’s TP-1 at no extra charge and has nationwide offices, while TurboTax’s interview and mobile app are a little more polished. Both, plus Wealthsimple Tax’s free plan, are compared side by side in Wealthsimple Tax vs TurboTax vs H&R Block.
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)
Premier+
TFSA information
Free+
Self-employment income (T2125)
Self-Employed
Rental income (T776)
Self-Employed
Home office deductions (T777, T2200)
Self-Employed
GST/HST return (self-employed)
Self-Employed
Quebec TP-1 provincial return
Deluxe+ (included)
US income / foreign property (T1135)
Premier+
FHSA contributions
Deluxe+
Medical expenses
Deluxe+
Peace of Mind: Is the Audit Protection Worth It?
Plan
What you get
DIY returns
CRA representation, coaching for reviews/audits, for an added fee; the current price is shown at checkout
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 ($29.99)
Investor with capital gains
DIY Premier ($49.99)
Self-employed with straightforward expenses
DIY Self-Employed ($69.99)
Who Should Use H&R Block
Profile
Good fit?
Anxious filer who wants audit backup
✅ Peace of Mind is its strongest feature
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 typically 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’s DIY tiers. Pricing now closely tracks TurboTax’s four-tier structure (Free / Deluxe / Premier / Self-Employed), 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 Premier tier handles everything needed.