Beware H&R Block online filing scam!!!!

[davidk]

It's tax season and the IRS no longer allows us to file via phone. Instead you hae to go to thier website www.irs.gov/efile.
There you will be directed to a list of companies that will allow you to file online free of charge. It is only free if you enter via the IRS site.

I chose H&R Block as they are well known company.
While filing my federal return they asked if I wanted to file my state return also.
I clicked yes and was told Pa. wasn't taking them yet and that I would be emailed when available.
Several days later I received the email that I could file my Pa. taxes and proceeded to do so. They even stated that based on my federal information Pa. residents who filed with them averaged a hefty refund.
I did not get any refund. Actually I never have and should have been wary.
Only when I was finished and the return apparently sent did I get a notice that I owed $24.95!
Nowhere in any of the various screens that appeared did they mention a fee to file the state taxes. If they did I would not have proceeded as I could file them, via phone, free. They made it sound as if it was free the same as the federal filing.
I am still fighting with H&R Block over this scam.
Their customer service is worthless. The people who answer the phones sound like they were pulled off the street with no training. The supervisors are not available and do not call back as promised.
Beware and spread the word lest someone else fall into the same trap.
The federal return worked fine, but stay away from the state filing with them.

[JoeP]

You can file your Pa state return free at the state's own website here:

http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/

[davidk]

Joe,
Thanks.
I'm still waiting for a response from H&R, it seems they didn't file the state return and are ignoring me.
Just as well, so long as it doesn't cost me money.