Blockworks H&R Block flagship software feedback is welcome here.

[Bjorn]

There is a nanny on the H&R Block employee site who scolds those who complain about Blockworks. If you love it or hate it. Feel free to sound off here.

[Burke]

I don't think that is allowed on this Forum.

[Rapid Robert]

I don't think that is allowed on this Forum.

Why not? This board doesn't seem to have an "acceptable use" policy or any other guidance, other than out of courtesy, we are not supposed to promote commercial products that directly compete with the sponsor of this forum. The only thing I could find was: " This message board allows participants to freely exchange ideas and opinions on areas concerning taxes. " (from the disclaimer)

Is there some policy or mission statement for the is forum I missed somewhere? I have been a Tax Materials customer for many years, although relatively new to this forum.

Blockworks used to be TaxWorks (RedGear), before it was bought by Block a few years back (although Block was using it internally prior to that, when I was still working there). Since Block preparers are a significant percent of total preparer population, it seems that having an uncensored forum for them to discuss their software features would be a valuable service. I'd say TaxWorks was a huge step forward from Block's previous in house prep software, TPS.

In fact, I'm surprised that preparer choice of professional software is not considered much of a factor by the clients. I'd certainly want to know that my preparer is using a higher quality product.

[TAXNJ]

Agree

Why not? This board doesn't seem to have an "acceptable use" policy or any other guidance, other than out of courtesy, we are not supposed to promote commercial products that directly compete with the sponsor of this forum. The only thing I could find was: " This message board allows participants to freely exchange ideas and opinions on areas concerning taxes. " (from the disclaimer)

Is there some policy or mission statement for the is forum I missed somewhere? I have been a Tax Materials customer for many years, although relatively new to this forum.

Blockworks used to be TaxWorks (RedGear), before it was bought by Block a few years back (although Block was using it internally prior to that, when I was still working there). Since Block preparers are a significant percent of total preparer population, it seems that having an uncensored forum for them to discuss their software features would be a valuable service. I'd say TaxWorks was a huge step forward from Block's previous in house prep software, TPS.

In fact, I'm surprised that preparer choice of professional software is not considered much of a factor by the clients. I'd certainly want to know that my preparer is using a higher quality product.

Have to agree with BURKE, but maybe you can, but as you say:

" This message board allows participants to freely exchange ideas and opinions on areas concerning taxes. " (from the disclaimer)

The Original Poster post about a nanny on the H&R Block employee site who scolds those who complain about Blockworks. Don't know what that has to do with taxes but would think you can email each other to hear what the nanny is scolding about or go to the site mentioned, but maybe you can, if you think that helps with tax advice that some may be interested in.

Also, you say "it seems that having an uncensored forum for them to discuss their software features would be a valuable service", so would the software vendor's community site be the place to discuss and share that info?, but maybe you can post it on this site if it is not a sales pitch and if that helps with tax advice that some may be interested in.

Guess bottom line, so go for it and if you think such post info does not go against the Forum policy, maybe some might be interested in some posts about nanny is scolding and for them to discuss their software features and some maybe some might be more interested in posts about tax issues.

It is up to the readers and responders if they want to participate and Forum Monitors if it is against policy.

[Lion]

You could start your own forum the way ATX users did, not owned or run by any commercial venture.

You'd get more Block users if on a Block-themed site. I've seen Block employee message boards on LinkedIn (and former Block employee boards).

[Rapid Robert]

Also, you say "it seems that having an uncensored forum for them to discuss their software features would be a valuable service", so would the software vendor's community site be the place to discuss and share that info?, but maybe you can post it on this site if it is not a sales pitch and if that helps with tax advice that some may be interested in.

Guess bottom line, so go for it and if you think such post info does not go against the Forum policy, maybe some might be interested in some posts about nanny is scolding and for them to discuss their software features and some maybe some might be more interested in posts about tax issues.

It is up to the readers and responders if they want to participate and Forum Monitors if it is against policy.

I took the description of "nanny" to be similar to calling someone a busybody, not an actual daycare provider.

Since the software is an in-house product, there is no software vendors forum, which I suppose is why they were coming here.

What is the "policy" of this forum, anyway? I can't find any. I remember when I first got here last year, there were occasional comments about "not posting hyperlinks", but as a new member I was absolutely not given any guidance at any point about was or was not considered acceptable. Heck, I don't even see any language that says we are supposed to be civil to one another.

In the end, it seems H&R would be better served by enforcing some policies at their own forums. Other alternatives would be create a LinkedIn or Facebook group which is not open to the public.

[taxea]

You could start your own forum the way ATX users did, not owned or run by any commercial venture.

You'd get more Block users if on a Block-themed site. I've seen Block employee message boards on LinkedIn (and former Block employee boards).

I agree with both Burke and Lion and personally don't consider any HRB product as higher quality than those products that we professionals use.

[Lion]

You mean like the existing H&R Block page on FaceBook and the multiple groups on LinkedIn?

[Burke]

What is the "policy" of this forum, anyway? I can't find any.

I think it is to show courtesy and respect for others' viewpoints, not disparage other tax preparation firms or sites, refrain from profanity and other references not accepted in polite company, etc. I know the administrator has posted certain standards in the past.

[Bjorn]

It looks like I've seen comments about Drake and Ultra tax over the years, but somebody is not happy to have a conversation about Blockworks. Well, I'm delighted we have the nanny here too.

Feel free to listen to or ignore all the above comments. If you wish to comment, good or bad. about Blockworks feel free.

I'll start~

One great thing about Blockworks is the ability to load the and direct deposit account information twice. My old software I lived in fear of having a digit wrong.

One bad thing is the part year state returns are almost always wrong.

[WhiteOleander]

I have worked for Block for over 20 years. I do not feel it is appropriate to discuss Block issues on this or any other board, If others are discussing Drake or Ultratax they are doing so as consumers, not employees. As employees, we are asked not to talk about any company issues on social media. Most companies have the same policy.

[ATSMAN]

I have worked for Block for over 20 years. I do not feel it is appropriate to discuss Block issues on this or any other board, If others are discussing Drake or Ultratax they are doing so as consumers, not employees. As employees, we are asked not to talk about any company issues on social media. Most companies have the same policy.

Excellent point. I have the same policy for part time help. It is ok. for customers to discuss their experience but for employees their employment contract trumps!

[Rapid Robert]

I have worked for Block for over 20 years. I do not feel it is appropriate to discuss Block issues on this or any other board, If others are discussing Drake or Ultratax they are doing so as consumers, not employees. As employees, we are asked not to talk about any company issues on social media. Most companies have the same policy.

Totally irrelevant to ex-employees or non-employees of Block. I worked there five years, I taught classes in how to use TaxWorks (now Blockworks), and I will make any comments about Block's software or business practices that I please, here or elsewhere. If Block can directly attack my business by offering to charge my clients half of MY specific prior year fee (including the one client who tried it last year and came begging to me this year to take him back), then I have no qualms about discussing whatever shortcomings or strengths there may be in Block's business model.

No different than talking about those shady tax resolution firms that advertise extensively on TV (remember Roni Deutsch?), or talking about software vendors especially the do-it-yourself tax prep firms. Fortunately there are several tax forums that are not under the control of tax-related businesses or under the control of social media firms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, although this is not one of them.

[Rapid Robert]

One great thing about Blockworks is the ability to load the and direct deposit account information twice. My old software I lived in fear of having a digit wrong.

One bad thing is the part year state returns are almost always wrong.

I recall that TPS (proprietary Block office software) forced the preparer to enter the bank info twice, that must a feature they added into Blockworks, I don't recall that it was there in TaxWorks (although I have several years of that software on an older computer I could fire up).

A better solution is what I see in my software: the taxpayer and spouse are asked to sign off specifically on the EFW or refund, including bank info, date, amount. That is a better solution, as the taxpayer then is responsible for their authorization and I am better protected from claims. I can even get them to e-sign the document, very convenient for clients comfortable with online transactions.

I recall that TPS did not support some of the more challenging scenarios in my state tax very well even for residents. Hopefully Blockworks started from a better place in that regard.

[WhiteOleander]

Exactly my point. You are no longer an employee.

Totally irrelevant to ex-employees or non-employees of Block. I worked there five years, I taught classes in how to use TaxWorks (now Blockworks), and I will make any comments about Block's software or business practices that I please, here or elsewhere. If Block can directly attack my business by offering to charge my clients half of MY specific prior year fee (including the one client who tried it last year and came begging to me this year to take him back), then I have no qualms about discussing whatever shortcomings or strengths there may be in Block's business model.

No different than talking about those shady tax resolution firms that advertise extensively on TV (remember Roni Deutsch?), or talking about software vendors especially the do-it-yourself tax prep firms. Fortunately there are several tax forums that are not under the control of tax-related businesses or under the control of social media firms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, although this is not one of them.