H&R Block

We made an appointment at 7: 15pm on March 6 2023. We arrived eight minutes late, and the tax consultant was still with the previous clients. We waited until 7: 45, and she was still leisurely organizing the papers from the previous clients, while the receptionist took their payment. No one apologized for the delay or told us how long the wait would be. As we didn't know how much longer the wait would be, and we were concerned for our hungry baby, we decided to leave and try a different location on another day. We went to the desk to ask for our paperwork, and the receptionist started giving us attitude when we told her we were not going to schedule another appointment and we needed our papers. Finally she gave them to us and we left. These people seem to think they are doing us a favor when we are paying for a service.

This was another pleasure to have H&R block do my taxes. Donna Demonteverde was cheerful and a joy to deal with. Thanks again

Absolutely amazing, professional and excellent service. Iryna, my senior tax professional was very friendly and took time to explain details carefully and logically.

SAVE YOURSELF $ FILE ONLINE FOR FREE! I went in today for an appt for my husband and myself. I am very familiar with what my tax returns entails, and often come very prepared. We wanted to know the price ahead of time (given that there is absolutely no information on any website) so we had inquired. The front desk staff wasn't familiar with the pricing structure, so Irene came out to help. Right from the start (before listening to my description or what was prepared) she proceeded to tell us that we will need greater than an hour and to drop off, and she'll call us back when ready. I tried repeatedly to explain, that it's not as complicated as she's making it (explaining I had all amounts calculated and receipts prepared and organized) but she failed to listen to what we were saying, and preceded to inform us how long and expensive it will be - not listening to what we actually wanted and treating us as if we were uneducated and misinformed. At that point, we walked out. I went online to check out the FREE online software you provide - and it is VERY easy to navigate and understand (if you have the basics of how taxation in Canada works). It was my VERY first time filing my taxes online with ANY software, and I was able to get through my husbands and my own taxes (2xT4's, 1x T2200 and 1x RRSP contribution) within an hour in my FIRST ATTEMPT. I would assume that a highly trained staff member would be very familiar with the software, and could probably get it done within 30-45 minutes. Either way, after this experience, I will NEVER go back to this H&R - as they'll treat you as if you are uneducated and DO NOT LISTEN. Given that most returns are around $100 - save yourself the $ and only file online for FREE - I'm sure the Franchisees will love this!

I was super happy for filing my taxes here last year. I just moved to Calgary and got settled in the northwest area. With covid it was a bit tough to file my taxes last year. Since I filed at this location last year, they did a follow up on me for this year. They set an appointment and when I went on my appointment, it just took few minutes as all the work was completed before. I was super happy, much appreciated.

We didn't get the services that were promised to us and there were mistakes in my tax return and I am missing credit. I tried to file a complaint and there were no responses.

We dropped off our documents to the branch early March this year, for 2019 and 2020 tax return, for both me and my husband.

First, the prices were not disclosed to us before asking us to pay. Even though we intended to use the services and pay the price, but professionalism means disclosing the price and let the customer have a chance to agree to it before transactions.

Secondly, other payment options were not suggested, such as pay it with the credit from tax return, even though payment options were listed in a poster hanging on the wall, behind the reception; where the transaction happens.

Thirdly, we did not get to go over our tax return before filing even we had chosen the option of having a sit-down session with the preparer on our intake forms.
The services were honestly very quick as we got a call back only a few days after we dropped the documents off. My husband took the call and I was in the middle of a work meeting because I was required to work from home as of COVID. And my husband has confirmed with the agent on the phone that we would make an appointment at 4, and we would sit down at the branch to go over our files. I had to take an early leave form my work to make that appointment.
When we got to the branch, we had to stand in line and wait for at least 15 minutes, with a toddler that was getting uneasy. The wait would have been fine if we got what we were promised, a sit down meeting.
But all we were presented was our files in envelops and was told, "there you go"
No one acknowledged that we have an appointment even tho we have mentioned we got a phone call and was asked to come in at 4.

Last but not least, the return was WRONG!
We took our return in face value because we thought H&R block is a big enough company to be trustworthy. Until later I reviewed it myself and remember realized my file has missed credits.
For one, I am missing the work from home credit. It was not a typical question in any tax return intake because this is a special tax cases developed recently. Had we got a chance to go over our files, it would not have been missed. That was the one credit I was hoping to make sure I would claim. I called CRA and they told me, I had to ask the preparer to adjust the return.

Finally, my husband tried to contact the branch and I had called the complaint line. NO response. I had emailed the main branch for the issue and NO response again.

If I took our file to our usual accountant like we used to, he would never make this mistake. And the H&R block price is way too overpriced for the services and experiences we got.

It was very disappointing considering I was expecting a more professional services from such a big organization with decent reputation. It might just be this branch, we don't know. But it definitely reflects the H&R block brand name negatively. And because of this experience, and my lost work time and my lost credit, we would NOT use their services anymore.

Pros:
- Easy to book an appointment using their website.
- Drop-off is available as a safe alternative to filing in person during pandemic times.
- Return was prepared quickly and it was easy to pay using a card.

Cons:
- Fees were not explained by our tax preparer before or during the process, we were only given a handwritten breakdown of the charges for each tax year at the end, and the official invoice did not break down any of the extra charges (for example, we were charged $25 per line for a type of online investment return) and this was not explained until we asked for an extra appointment, and even then there was no clear explanation as to why these surcharges were so elevated.
-We felt rushed in our appointment, the preparer stated we had booked the appointment incorrectly and there wasn't enough time, even though we made sure to include that we had several years to file and that we were filing jointly when we made the booking.
- Tax preparer did not demonstrate knowledge about basic federal tax credits, and we nearly missed out on a $5000 credit as we were unaware it existed, thankfully a family member alerted us to this credit and we requested this would be processed in our return. The preparer failed to ask us basic questions to determine our family situation which should have alerted them of our eligibility for this credit, and instead focused and made uncomfortable comments about our lack of children, which could be triggering for anyone experiencing infertility or pregnancy loss.
-So-called "peace of mind" coverage is pressured upon you at the time of payment, which is concerning because when you spend nearly $1000 on tax preparation services, peace of mind is an expectation, not a privilege.
-Overall the charges are much higher than using a flat-rate independent accountant, and going into it you feel like you have no idea how much money you're going to have to pay.
-I found two errors after my files were handed back to me (and filing was complete) despite clarifying both of these subjects with the preparer over the phone prior to filing.

Overall impression: Would not recommend, and will not be using this service again. During these hard times we wanted to be completely confident in our tax return which is why we chose to "file with professionals" as we were swayed by their promotional materials over print and online media into thinking it would be a positive and painless experience. Instead, we don't feel confident about our returns despite paying hundreds of dollars.

Terrible service!

asked to get a same day refund and 5 weeks later still don't have it.

Terrible service from this location specifically! They pass the buck tell you its CRA fault when it was theirs. DO NOT USE THIS HR LOCATION! They are unwilling to help you at all!

I do want to add I was helped at another location and the service was great! He provided me with the ESSENTIAL information I needed!

I have enjoyed consistent professional service from H & R Block over the years and can attest to their expertise!

The receptionist was super sweet and bubbly the tax expert was helpful and knowledgeable I would definitely recommend country hills HandR thank you

We had a fantastic experience, we seen Iryna, she was extremely friendly. We will be back next year. Iryna definitely is an expert at taxes.

Made a 3pm apointment at country hills location, got there and it was closed. No one told me it was at the bedlington location.what a joke

Hello everyone. A week ago I went at this office located in country hills to get done my taxs the attention was very good in general. 9.5 of 10 I want to point out the good service. At the same time I must to say thank you to the person who attended me, she did a wonderful job!
Iryna Nosenkova Thank you very much!

Si usted es hispanohablante y su ingles no es al 100% como el mio, valla a esta oficina para hacer sus taxes. La resepcionista es latina, muy educada y con su buen servio le ayudara a que sus taxes sean hecho eficientemente. Recomiendo el lugar 9.5 de 10

Great service! Iryna knows her stuff! I just wish H & R Block corporate catered a bit towards the comfort of their clients, by providing a water cooler and access to a bathroom in their offices!

300 bucks to do my basic taxes and all I had was a t4 and receipt for student loan payments. Complete ripoff

My first tax filling experience in Canada and Adebola Daramola was extremely helpful. Thank you

I am writing this because of the excellent experience I had with Adebola Daramola who was my tax pro. She comes highly recommended.

Worst experience! We dealt with Iryna, and I must say I have never been so frustrated with someone and I work in customer service myself. It all started when they couldn’t even find our file even though we have filed our taxes with them before and they were the ones to call us to come in, how is that possible if they didn’t have us in their file? Then instead of asking us questions decided to take it upon herself to assume me and my husband who came in together were filing “single” then had to re do everything! Started over and after 3 yes 3 hours she still couldn’t complete our taxes and asked if we can come back the next day to deal with another colleague as she didn’t know what else to do! On top of this when we were asking a question that she was not understanding got frustrated with us and raised her voice at us repeating the same thing over and over and threatened us to cancel everything at that moment and leave and deal with someone else! (Which I wish I took that opportunity and did leave!)
All in all after that 3 hours we left with no taxes done! Highly don’t recommend going to the country hills location above superstore!

Terrible! I'd give it negative stars if I could. Worst place to get your taxes done. It cost me $360 and they were done incorrectly. When I went back to ask about discrepancies after getting my assessment from the government they shrugged it off and told me they are not perfect and humans make mistakes. They didn't even offer any money back to reduce there rate even though it was there fault. I will never go back to any H&R Block and will tell any friends, family and co-workers to never go there either.