TurboTax has just announced a new product line change that will require many people upgrade their accounts in order to file taxes. The changes impact the people using the Desktop version of TurboTax Deluxe, which no longer provides users with Schedule C,D,E, or F. If you want to stick with TurboTax you’ll need to upgrade to their next tier of service, Premier, which retails around $90.
This will have a big impact on people who are investors, as they need these schedules in order to properly report investment income, with Capital Gains (or Losses) reported on Schedule D and real estate investment income often reported on Schedule E, these are the customers who are most impacted by the changes.
H&R Block has fired back by offering a free version of their Home and Business 2014, I was approached by a spokesperson who offered the following:
Those who have already purchased TurboTax Basic or Deluxe and would like to try H&R Block may email H&R Block at SwitchToBlock@hrblock.com and include the following information:
- Name, address, and phone number
- Type of operating system in use (Windows/Mac)
- A photo, scan, or email showing proof of TurboTax Basic or Deluxe purchase
H&R Block will then send a link for one free download of H&R Block Deluxe + State – they’ll even help recipients get started by importing last year’s tax return from TurboTax. It’s that easy!
Note: This offer is not available via the H&R Block website; it can only be redeemed via email.
According to this Forbes article, calling and threatening to use another vendor’s software can net an upgrade to the Premier level. Going to try later tonight after work.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/janetnovack/2015/01/09/irate-turbotax-users-can-get-free-upgrades-or-block-substitute/
Interesting flip. I think that TT has to cave on this, it’s just not a smart play.
Matt your awesome. I just got the deluxe version free from State Farm. Will see if H&R will match
Good luck! They do mention a proof of purchase, so I hope you can snag it if you got one for free originally….
Oh no! Will this just encourage people to buy TT, because they need to have that in order to switch for free, like me? 🙂
Nice 🙂
Just following up. I forwarded my purchase confirmation for Turbo Tax, showing $0 for Turbo Tax Deluxe “purchased” through State Farm. I received an email from H&R Block with a link to download their software for free!
Thanks again Matt!
Sweet!