No company can may provide you a larger refund than another
The size of your tax refund is determined by the IRS based on your income, deductions, credits, and withholdings — not by which company prepares your return. TurboTax, H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and tax software in general do not change what you owe or what you get back. They calculate based on the information you provide.
What differs between companies is how thoroughly they help you find deductions and credits you might otherwise miss. A company that asks better questions or catches overlooked credits may lead you to report more of what you're actually may have access to to, which can increase your refund. But that's about uncovering what's already yours — not about the company itself generating money.
The real variable is the person using the software and the accuracy of the information they enter. A tax professional (CPA or enrolled agent) may spot deductions a self-service platform misses, but that's because of their informed, not because of the brand name on the software.
Key Takeaways
- Your refund amount comes from the IRS based on your tax situation, not from the company that prepares your return.
- Different companies ask different questions, so one platform may help you discover deductions or credits another one doesn't prompt you to report.
- Tax professionals (CPAs or enrolled agents) often find overlooked deductions, but you pay for their time — the savings must exceed the fee to be worthwhile.
- Free or low-cost options like IRS Free File work the same way as paid software: they calculate based on what you tell them.
- The biggest refund comes from accurate reporting of all income, deductions, and credits you may have access to for, regardless of which tool you use.
Where the difference actually lies: question depth and prompts
TurboTax Premium, for example, includes a "Max Refund" feature that walks through additional deductions and credits beyond the basic interview. H&R Block's Premium and Business editions do similar work. Jackson Hewitt's in-person preparers ask follow-up questions that software alone might skip. These aren't magic — they're just more thorough prompts.
If you use the free version of any software, you get fewer prompts. You answer the basic questions, and the software calculates. If you use a paid tier or a tax professional, you get more questions designed to uncover things like education credits, energy-efficient home improvements, business expenses, or charitable donations you may have forgotten.
The outcome: if you discover a $2,000 deduction you would have missed, your refund grows. But that deduction was always yours. The software or professional just helped you find it.
When a tax professional might increase your refund
A CPA or enrolled agent can spot patterns and opportunities that self-service software cannot. If you're self-employed, have rental income, investment losses, or a complex family situation, a professional may identify deductions or strategies you wouldn't think to report. Examples include home office deductions, vehicle expenses, or depreciation on rental property.
The catch: you pay for this service. A CPA typically charges $150 to $400 per hour, and a full return can run $500 to $2,500 depending on complexity. An enrolled agent or tax preparer may charge $200 to $1,000. The extra refund must exceed the fee for it to be a financial win. If a professional finds you $1,500 in overlooked deductions but charges $800, you net $700 — still a gain, but smaller than the gross refund increase.
For straightforward situations (W-2 income, standard deduction, no side business), the difference between a professional and good self-service software is usually small — often under $200.
Free options calculate the same way as paid ones
The IRS Free File program offers free tax software from companies like TurboTax, H&R Block, and others to households earning under a certain threshold (roughly $73,000 in recent years, though this varies). The software itself works identically to the paid version — it just has fewer features and fewer prompts for advanced deductions.
Community Action Agencies and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax information) sites offer free preparation by trained volunteers. They use the same IRS tax forms and follow the same rules as any other preparer. Your refund is based on your numbers, not on whether you paid for the service.
If you have a straightforward return, free software or VITA will produce the same refund as TurboTax Premium. If you have complex deductions, a paid professional may find more — but again, you're paying for their time and informed, not for a larger refund may provide.
How to maximize your refund regardless of which company you choose
Gather documentation before you start. Collect W-2s, 1099s, mortgage interest statements, property tax records, charitable donation receipts, medical expense records, and education costs. The more complete your records, the more accurately any software or professional can calculate.
Answer every question the software asks, even if it seems irrelevant. If TurboTax or H&R Block asks about energy-efficient windows, home insulation, or electric vehicle purchases, answer honestly. These prompts exist because they lead to credits many people miss.
If you use self-service software, consider the paid tier if your situation is more than basic. The extra $50 to $100 for more thorough prompts may uncover deductions worth more than the upgrade cost.
If you're self-employed or have investment income, consult a tax professional at least once. The cost often pays for itself in the first year through deductions you didn't know existed.
Red flags: companies that promise inflated refunds
Be skeptical of any tax company that promises a refund larger than what your situation warrants, or that guarantees a specific refund amount before reviewing your documents. The IRS calculates your refund based on law and your actual numbers — no company can override that.
Some tax preparation chains have faced lawsuits for aggressive refund-advance loans (also called refund anticipation loans). These are short-term loans against your expected refund, and they carry high interest rates. The loan itself doesn't increase your refund; it just lets you access money faster while paying a fee. This is not a path to a larger refund.
Avoid preparers who ask you to claim deductions you didn't actually incur, or who suggest inflating numbers. That's tax fraud, and the penalty falls on you, not the preparer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TurboTax give bigger refunds than H&R Block?
No. Both calculate based on the information you enter and the same tax law. If one produces a larger refund, it's because you answered a question differently or the software prompted you to report something you had forgotten. The refund itself comes from the IRS, not the company.
Will a CPA get me a bigger refund than doing it myself?
Possibly, if your situation is complex and you've missed deductions. A CPA may find overlooked business expenses, investment losses, or credits. But you pay for their time, so the extra refund must exceed their fee to be worthwhile. For straightforward returns, the difference is usually small.
Can I get a bigger refund by filing through a tax preparation company instead of the IRS website?
No. The IRS calculates your refund the same way regardless of how you file. A tax company's software or a professional preparer may help you report more accurate information, which could increase your refund, but the company itself doesn't change the calculation.
What if I use a refund advance loan — does that increase my actual refund?
No. A refund advance loan lets you borrow against your expected refund and receive the money faster, but you pay interest on the loan. Your actual refund from the IRS stays the same; you're just paying a fee to access it early.
Should I pay for premium tax software if I have a straightforward return?
Probably not. If you have only W-2 income and take the standard deduction, free software or VITA will produce the same result. Pay for premium only if you have deductions, credits, or income sources that require more detailed prompts.