Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a link below to view frequently asked questions about:

If you can't find an answer to your question here, check out the Troubleshooting sections in Help.

About Importing

How do I review the entries I imported from my last year's return?

If you want to review entries you imported from your last year's return, we recommend that you review them using the Review Last Year's Data report. To display the report, select Review Last Year's Data from the Reports menu.

Why doesn't DeductionPro transfer my contributions to the H&R Block software exactly as I enter them?

DeductionPro rounds all contribution amounts it transfers. For example:

About the Interview

I'm in an Interview topic, but I cannot move forward in the Interview because I don't see the Next button.

Some of our Interview screens include more in-depth assistance or ask more questions about a particular topic. These Interview topics include a scroll-bar that you can use prior to clicking Next to proceed. It is located between the Interview pane and and the FAQ pane.

  1. Slide the scroll-bar down after reading your options and selecting all applicable items. The Next button is at the bottom.

  2. Click Next to proceed through the Interview.

I've just completed the Interview process and forgot to include some information. Now what do I do?

If you miss a step during the Interview process, you can easily go back to that part of the Interview using Take Me To:

  1. Click the Take Me To arrow located on the top right of the H&R Block software main window.

  2. When the Take Me To dialog box opens, scroll through the list of topics to find the part of the Interview that you missed.

  3. Highlight the topic name in the topics list.

  4. Click the Go To button.

When I enter a date, such as date of birth, date of purchase, sales date, etc., the program doesn't accept it. What am I doing wrong?

The H&R Block software requires you to enter dates in the format of mm/dd/yyyy, for example, 07/24/1957. If you enter only two numbers for the year, for example 57, it will not be accepted.

About Forms

I've noticed that the program has included a form in my return that I don't need or want. How do I get rid of it?

Forms are included in your tax return based on the data you have entered. First check to make sure that you have entered all the information correctly in your return. Once you have reviewed your return and determined that you don't need the form, you can delete it:

  1. On the menu bar at the top of the main window, click Forms, and select Open Forms. The Forms Central window opens.

  2. Select the Federal tab or state tab (for example, New York) to display the list of available forms.

Note: A State tab is displayed only if you have started a tax return for that state.

  1. From the list, double-click the form that you want to open, or select it and click Open Form.

  2. Select the number of the copy that you want to delete from the Copy Number list box. The program displays the copy of the form in the Form Central window.

  3. Click the Delete Form button.

  4. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

About Returns

When I try to load information from my last year's return, the H&R Block software doesn't point to the folder where the file is located.

If your 2009 return is not listed, navigate to the folder where you saved it. If you accepted the program's default folder recommendations, you can find your return in the following directory:

My Documents/TaxCut/

Your tax return file will be saved with a .T09. For example, if you saved your 2009 return as MyTaxes, look for a file named MyTaxes.T09. If you don't remember where you saved your 2009 return, you can locate it using the Windows search feature.

To search for your 2009 return using Windows XP:

  1. On the Task bar, click the Start button and select Search.

  2. On the Search menu, select For Files or Folders.

  3. On the What do you want to search for? list, select All files and folders.

  4. Enter *.T09 in the All or part of the file name: text box.

  5. Click the drop down arrow next to the Look in: field, and select where you want to search. Use the Browse option to search in subfolders. (The C: drive is the most commonly used location for saving files.)

  6. Click Search.

To search for your 2009 return using Windows 98 or 2000:

  1. On the Task bar, click the Start button and select Find.

  2. From the Find menu, select Files or Folders.

  3. Enter *.T09 in the Named: text box.

  4. Enter where you want to search in the Look In field, and make sure you check Include Subfolders. (The C: drive is the most commonly used location for saving files.)

  5. Click Find Now.

The search results will display the name and location of any 2009 returns found in the specified location.

When printing my tax return on an Epson printer, areas of text on the page are not being printed.

If  you are printing H&R Block tax returns using an Epson printer manufactured between May 2004 and May 2006 a setting in the printer's preferences is causing a printing problem. You must select the RAW data type option setting on your printer's printing preferences.

To select this option:

  1. Click the Start button, and select Settings, then Printer, and Faxes.

  2. Right-click on your printer icon, then select Printing Preferences.

  3. Select the Utility tab.

  4. Click the Speed & Progress button.

  5. Click the checkbox for Always spool RAW data type.

  6. Click OK.

I want to start over and create a new blank return. How do I get out of the current return and create a new one?

With the H&R Block software, you can create as many returns as you need. All you need to do is remember the file name of the returns you want to work with.

To create a new blank tax return:

  1. From the File menu, choose Create New Return.

If you have made any changes to the current tax return, the program asks if you want to save the changes to the current file before you open a new file.

  1. Click Yes to save the changes, click No to discard the changes, or click Cancel to return to the current file without creating a new file.

  2. On the My Taxes screen under the Welcome tab, click Start a Return.

  3. Follow the screen prompts to start a new return.

About Filing

When is the e-filing season?

You can e-file your tax return with H&R Block from January 10, 2011 through October 15, 2011. The IRS will begin processing returns on January 14, 2011.

How many returns can I e-file?

You can file up to 5 federal returns electronically. You can file an unlimited number of paper returns.

How many state returns can I e-file with my federal return?

The H&R Block software allows you to e-file up to 3 state returns with each federal return that you file.

You can e-file part-year resident or nonresident returns only for the states of California, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and North Carolina.  Additionally, The program allows the e-filing of part-year returns for Maryland.

Can I use a credit card to pay my taxes?

You can use a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card to pay your federal taxes. There is a convenience fee of 1.95% of your federal tax payment that will be charged to your credit card. There is a fixed fee of $3.89 for Visa Debit and ATM Debit.

On the www.payUSAtax.com/hrblockathome web site, you'll enter your federal tax obligation, your social security number and additional identifying information. At this time your convenience fee amount is calculated for the payment.

Once the payment has been processed you'll be provided with a confirmation code. Your credit card statement will show a payment to U.S. TREASURY TAX PAYMENT as further proof of payment. The convenience fee will be included on the statement as a PAY USA TAX CONVENIENCE FEE.

Notes:

What is H&R Block's Privacy Policy?

You can view H&R Block's Privacy Policy on the program's Web site at http://www.hrblock.com/privacy.

I've already electronically filed my return, but I just noticed that it contains an error. What should I do?

The IRS has already started processing your return and your refund, if you're expecting one. Use the H&R Block software to complete Form 1040X, Amended Individual Income Tax Return. See Opening a Form.

It's almost April 15th and my electronically filed return was rejected. I now need to submit my return on standard paper forms and I'm afraid I won't make the deadline. What should I do?

Write the following by hand at the top of paper Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ:

TIMELY FILED REJECTED ELECTRONIC RETURN

This should ensure that you won't be hit with a late filing penalty.

About Updates

I'm having a problem obtaining an update from within the H&R Block software program. Are there other ways to get an update?

If you are having a problem downloading an update from within the program, you can download the update from our Update Center.

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows Vista™ operating system, you will need administrator privileges to download and install updates.

About State Programs

How do I get my state program?

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows Vista™ operating system, you will need administrator privileges to download and install state programs.

If you purchased an H&R Block tax software edition that includes a State program:

  1. Open the H&R Block software.

  2. Click the State tab.

  3. Select your state from the State drop-down list. Make sure you are connected to the internet.

  4. Click the Next button. The software checks to see if your state program is available. If your state program is available, it is automatically downloaded and installed for you.

Note: If your state program is not available, the date that the program should be available is displayed. If you would like to receive an email notifying you when the program becomes available, enter your email address.

If you need to purchase your State program:

  1. Open the H&R Block software.

  2. Click the State tab.

  3. Select your state from the State drop-down list. Make sure you are connected to the internet.

  4. Click the Next button. The software checks to see if your state program is available. If your state program is available, the Enter State Purchase Information screen opens.

Note: If your state program is not available, the date that the program should be available is displayed. If you would like to receive an email notifying you when the program becomes available, enter your email address.

  1. On the Enter State Purchase Information screen, enter your billing information and your email address. Your email address is needed to complete the purchase.

  2. Click Next.

  3. Review the information listed on the Purchase State screen to make sure it is correct.

  4. Click the Purchase button. You will receive an email which will contain additional order and installation information once you click this button.

How do I reinstall my State program?

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows Vista™ operating system, you will need administrator privileges to download and install state programs.

To reinstall a state program:

  1. Open the H&R Block software program.

  2. Go to the Tools menu and select Re-install State Program.

  3. Select the state program you wish to install.

  4. Follow the instructions displayed.

Note: If you have deleted the HRBlock2010 program directory, you cannot re-install your state program.