The IRS reports average refunds are up 14.2% so far this year. That’s real money. The question isn’t whether to file. It’s whether the software you pick is going to help you find every dollar you’re owed, or just get you through the process.

Both TurboTax and H&R Block added AI tax assistants for 2026. Both claim they’ll help you get a bigger refund. They work very differently, and one of them costs significantly more if you want a human in the loop.

Here’s what actually matters.

Quick Verdict

Aspect	TurboTax	H&R Block
AI Tax Assist	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Ease of Use	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Live Human Access	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
Value for Cost	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆

TurboTax best for: People who want a polished interview-style experience and don’t need live human backup H&R Block best for: Anyone who wants unlimited live chat with a real tax pro included without paying extra TurboTax paid price: $39–$89+ federal (live expert access costs extra) H&R Block paid price: $35–$85 (AI Tax Assist + unlimited live human chat included) Security: Both use bank-level encryption, multi-factor authentication, and government-standard data storage

The AI Features Are Different in Ways That Actually Matter

Both platforms call their feature “AI Tax Assist.” That’s where the similarity ends.

TurboTax’s AI Tax Assist is a conversational interface built on generative AI. You can ask questions like “I started working from home last year, what can I deduct?” and it walks you through what applies to your situation. It identifies deductions based on your answers in real time and explains why something does or doesn’t apply. The experience is closer to talking to a knowledgeable friend than filling out a form.

H&R Block’s AI Tax Assist is backed by their network of human tax professionals. The AI fields initial questions, but the answers you’re getting are informed by H&R Block’s tax expertise and, when needed, escalated to an actual human. They’ve also added unlimited live chat with a human tax pro (included free with all paid plans for 2026).

The practical difference: TurboTax’s AI is faster and more conversational. H&R Block’s AI is more cautious and more likely to push you toward a real person when the question gets complicated.

Neither is better in an absolute sense. It depends on your situation and whether you trust software to catch things a human might catch instead.

Pricing Comparison (What You’ll Actually Pay)

This is where the decision gets real.

Plan	TurboTax	H&R Block
Free (simple returns)	$0 federal	$0 federal
Deluxe	$39 federal + $39/state	$35 federal + $37/state
Premium	$69 federal + $39/state	$65 federal + $37/state
Self-Employed	$89 federal + $39/state	$85 federal + $37/state
Live expert access	+$89–$169 (TurboTax Live)	Included with all paid plans
AI Tax Assist	Included	Included

If you want a human tax pro in the picture, H&R Block is meaningfully cheaper. Unlimited live chat with an H&R Block tax pro is included in every paid tier ($35+). TurboTax’s equivalent (TurboTax Live) starts at $89 on top of the base plan price.

For a self-employed filer who wants live expert access: TurboTax runs $89 base + $169 live = $258 federal, plus state. H&R Block is $85 + $37 state = $122 total.

That’s a $136 difference for comparable service. Worth knowing before you pick.

Refund Size: Does the AI Actually Help?

The IRS expects most EITC and ACTC refunds to hit bank accounts by March 2, 2026. Average refunds are up 14.2% based on early season data. So the baseline is already good this year. Most people will get more back regardless of which software they use.

The AI assist features help at the margins. Where they earn their keep:

Deduction identification. TurboTax’s conversational AI asks questions you might not think to ask yourself. “Did you buy any equipment for your job that your employer didn’t reimburse?” That kind of nudge catches real money.

Situation changes. Got married? Had a kid? Moved? Both platforms flag how life events affect your taxes, but TurboTax’s generative AI handles the explanation more naturally.

Complicated income. Side income from Airbnb, stock sales, crypto, or freelance work is where AI assist earns the most. H&R Block’s backed-by-humans approach tends to be more conservative here, which is either reassuring or annoying depending on whether you want certainty or speed.

What neither AI can do: audit-proof your return. If you’re flagged, the AI doesn’t show up. Both platforms offer audit defense add-ons ($30–$60) that are worth considering if your return has anything unusual.

Who Gets a Bigger Refund?

Short answer: the refund size depends more on your actual tax situation than the software you use.

Longer answer: if your taxes are simple (W-2 income, standard deduction, maybe a child tax credit), both platforms will find the same deductions and produce the same number. The AI features don’t change the math on a straightforward return.

For moderately complex returns (itemized deductions, home office, self-employment), TurboTax’s conversational AI might surface a deduction you’d have missed by asking follow-up questions more naturally. H&R Block’s human-backed approach might give you more confidence that nothing was missed.

One concrete example: the home office deduction. TurboTax walks you through the calculation conversationally, showing your potential deduction in real time. H&R Block connects you to a tax pro if the question gets complicated enough. Same deduction, different paths to claiming it.

Security and Data Practices

Both platforms use bank-level encryption and multi-factor authentication. Both store your data on servers that meet IRS security standards.

The differences worth knowing:

TurboTax (Intuit): Stores data indefinitely for “tax insights.” Has been involved in data-sharing controversies in the past. Intuit’s business touches a lot of products (Credit Karma, QuickBooks, Mint before it shut down). Read the privacy policy if this matters to you.

H&R Block: Stores 7 years of returns. Had a data breach disclosure in 2023, which was handled and disclosed. In-person offices add a different dimension: your return data isn’t just in the cloud.

Neither is a red flag for most filers. Both are demonstrably safer than handing paper returns to someone you found on Craigslist.

The “Already Filed” Question

If you’ve used TurboTax for years and your data is in there, switching has a real cost. Re-entering prior-year AGI, reconnecting employer accounts, re-uploading documents. It’s not insurmountable, but it’s friction.

H&R Block offers a prior-year TurboTax import tool. Upload your TurboTax PDF and it pulls in what it can. Works well for simple returns, less well for complex ones.

If you’ve been with H&R Block: TurboTax also imports prior-year data. Same deal. Works better for simple situations.

The switching cost is real but usually not worth staying with a platform that doesn’t fit your current situation.

For Specific Situations

Simple W-2 return, standard deduction

Either free version works. TurboTax Free has income limits. H&R Block Free is more widely available. Check whether you qualify before starting.

Self-employed / freelance income

H&R Block Self-Employed ($85 + included live chat) is cheaper than TurboTax Self-Employed + Live ($258+). The included human access is worth it for self-employment, where questions come up.

Investments, crypto, stock sales

TurboTax has deeper integrations with brokerages (automatic import from most major platforms). H&R Block imports are improving but lag behind. If you had a lot of transactions, TurboTax’s import workflow saves time.

EITC or Child Tax Credit filers

Both handle these well. The IRS expects these refunds in accounts by March 2, 2026 if filed early. File sooner rather than later. If cost is a factor, also check the IRS Free File AI tools available for 2026.

Complex returns (rental property, multiple states, foreign income)

At this level, consider a CPA. Both platforms support complex situations, but neither AI is a substitute for professional judgment on a $50,000 real estate depreciation question.

After you file: managing what comes in

Once your refund lands, the question is what to do with it. The best budgeting apps for tax season 2026 covers tools designed specifically for the lump-sum windfall problem.

What Neither Platform Tells You

Both TurboTax and H&R Block are designed to upsell. Free tiers are narrower than advertised. You’ll hit a screen partway through that says your situation requires a paid plan. Sometimes that’s legitimate. Sometimes it’s because you have a single form they’ve decided to charge for.

TurboTax is more aggressive about this. H&R Block is more aggressive about the in-person upsell (prompting you to book an appointment when the AI can’t answer a question).

Going in with that awareness helps. If you’re pushed to upgrade, ask whether you actually need what they’re offering or whether there’s a cheaper alternative.

For a genuinely free alternative: FreeTaxUSA handles most situations (including the new Schedule 1-A tips and overtime deductions) for $0 federal, $14.99 state. No AI assist, but accurate and cheap.

The Decision Framework

A few questions that settle this:

Do you want unlimited live access to a human tax pro included in the price? Yes → H&R Block. TurboTax charges significantly more for equivalent access.

Do you have a lot of investment accounts to import automatically? Yes → TurboTax. Brokerage integrations are better.

Are you self-employed or have side income? H&R Block’s included live chat is worth more here than TurboTax’s conversational AI without the human backup.

Have you filed with one of them for multiple years? Probably stay unless there’s a real reason to switch. The friction of switching usually outweighs marginal differences.

Simple W-2 return, want the most polished experience? TurboTax wins on interface and explanation quality.

The Bottom Line

For most filers, H&R Block is the better value in 2026. The AI Tax Assist is solid, and including unlimited live chat with a human tax pro in every paid plan changes the math. TurboTax charges separately for that access, and the base prices are close enough that H&R Block wins on overall value.

TurboTax earns its price if you have a lot of investment accounts to import (the brokerage integrations are genuinely better) or if you prefer TurboTax’s more polished, conversational AI experience and don’t need human backup.

Neither platform will get you a materially bigger refund than the other if your taxes are straightforward. The AI features help at the margins. Where they help most is catching deductions you didn’t know to ask about—and both do that reasonably well.

File early. The IRS is processing quickly this season. Whether you use TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA for a cheaper option, the biggest refund mistake is waiting.

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FAQ

Does TurboTax or H&R Block get you a bigger refund? Neither consistently produces larger refunds than the other. Refund size depends on your income, deductions, and tax situation, not the software brand. Both AI assistants help identify deductions, but the math is the same if they’re surfacing the same deductions.

Is H&R Block AI Tax Assist free? H&R Block AI Tax Assist is included with all paid plans ($35–$85). The free tier has a more limited version. Unlimited live chat with a human tax pro is also included with paid plans in 2026.

Does TurboTax charge for live expert access? Yes. TurboTax Live starts at $89 on top of the base plan price. That’s separate from TurboTax’s AI Tax Assist, which is included.

When will my refund arrive in 2026? The IRS expects most EITC and Additional Child Tax Credit refunds to be in bank accounts by March 2, 2026, if you filed early and chose direct deposit. Other refunds typically arrive within 21 days of acceptance.

Can I switch from TurboTax to H&R Block mid-season? Yes. H&R Block can import your prior-year TurboTax PDF. Works best for simple returns. Complex returns may require some manual entry.

Is TurboTax or H&R Block better for self-employed filers? H&R Block is cheaper for self-employed filers who want live expert access included. TurboTax Self-Employed has a better interface but costs significantly more if you also want TurboTax Live.

What’s the cheapest way to file taxes in 2026? FreeTaxUSA for federal ($0) plus $14.99 for state. No AI assist, but handles most situations accurately including the new Schedule 1-A deductions. Also check IRS Free File if your AGI is under $89,000.

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Pricing and features verified February 2026. Tax software updates frequently during filing season. Confirm current pricing before purchasing. Your tax situation is unique; this comparison is for general guidance, not personalized tax advice.