TurboTax vs. H&R Block for Retirement Tax Returns (2026)

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Filing taxes in retirement is fundamentally different from filing during your working years. Instead of a single W-2, you may have Social Security benefits (SSA-1099), multiple 1099-R forms from IRA distributions, Roth conversions tracked on Form 8606, capital gains and dividends from taxable accounts, and potentially state tax returns with retirement income exclusions.[3]The tax software you choose needs to handle all of this correctly — and ideally help you understand the interactions between them.

This guide compares TurboTax and H&R Block specifically through the lens of retirement tax complexity for the 2026 tax year.

Social Security Taxation

Up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your “combined income” (AGI + nontaxable interest + half of Social Security benefits).[4] Both platforms handle the IRS worksheet from Publication 915 correctly, but they differ in how well they explain the result.

• TurboTax: Provides a clear summary showing what percentage of your benefits are taxable and why. The interview walks through each income source and shows how adding income (like a Roth conversion) changes the taxable portion.
• H&R Block: Calculates the taxable amount correctly but offers less context. You see the final number on your return, but the connection between your other income and the taxable percentage is less visible.

Edge: TurboTax for explaining the Social Security taxation mechanism to retirees who want to understand their return.

Roth Conversions and Form 8606

Roth conversions require accurate Form 8606 reporting, especially if you have both pre-tax and after-tax (nondeductible) balances in your Traditional IRA.[2] The pro-rata rule determines how much of each conversion is taxable, and getting this wrong can mean overpaying taxes or triggering IRS notices.

• TurboTax Premier: Walks through the full Form 8606 process step by step. Asks about prior-year nondeductible contributions, tracks your cost basis, and correctly applies the pro-rata calculation. Carries forward basis information from prior TurboTax returns.
• H&R Block Deluxe: Handles Form 8606 and pro-rata calculations correctly. The interview is more streamlined but assumes you know your prior-year basis. If you are switching from TurboTax, you will need to manually enter your accumulated nondeductible contribution basis.

Edge: TurboTax for multi-year Roth conversion tracking, especially for users who have filed with TurboTax previously.

RMDs and Multiple 1099-Rs

Retirees over 73 must take Required Minimum Distributions from Traditional IRAs and workplace retirement plans. If you have accounts at multiple custodians, you may receive several 1099-R forms with different distribution codes. Both platforms handle multiple 1099-R entry well, but the experience differs.

• TurboTax: Offers direct import from most major brokerages (Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard) for 1099-R forms, saving manual entry time. Provides guidance on distribution codes (Code 7 for normal distributions, Code G for rollovers, Code 2 for Roth conversions).
• H&R Block: Also supports import from major brokerages, though the list of supported institutions is slightly smaller. Manual entry is straightforward with dropdown menus for distribution codes.

Edge: Tie. Both handle multiple 1099-Rs competently. TurboTax has a slight import advantage with more supported institutions.

State Returns for Retirees

Many states offer partial or full exclusions for retirement income — Social Security, pensions, and IRA distributions may be treated differently at the state level. Both TurboTax and H&R Block include state-specific retirement income rules, but the depth of guidance varies by state.

• TurboTax: State interview sections specifically address retirement income exclusions and deductions. Generally provides clear explanations of state-specific rules.
• H&R Block: Covers the same state rules and calculates correctly. The in-product guidance is adequate but less detailed in explaining why certain amounts are excluded.

Edge: TurboTax for states with complex retirement income exclusions.

IRMAA Planning Features

This is where both platforms fall short. Neither TurboTax nor H&R Block warns you when your MAGI is approaching IRMAA thresholds or suggests income-management strategies. They calculate your taxes accurately, but they do not proactively plan for Medicare surcharges that kick in two years later based on the return you are filing today.

For IRMAA-aware planning, you need a dedicated tool.

Pricing for Retirement Complexity

Most retirees with Roth conversions, investment income, or rental property will need a mid-to-upper tier of either platform. Here is how the 2026 pricing compares for the tiers most relevant to retirees:

H&R Block typically costs 30–40% less than TurboTax for comparable functionality. For retirees on a budget, H&R Block Deluxe handles most retirement scenarios at a lower price point.

IRS Free File Option

If your AGI is below $84,000for 2026, you may qualify for IRS Free File, which provides access to TurboTax, H&R Block, or other participating software at no cost for federal filing.[1]This is worth checking before you pay — many retirees with modest income qualify. Visit IRS Free File to check eligibility.

The Bottom Line

TurboTax Premier is the better choice for retirees with complex Roth conversion histories, multiple income sources, and a desire for detailed explanations of how their return works. It costs more, but the guidance and import capabilities justify the premium for complex retirement returns.

H&R Block Deluxe is the better value for retirees with straightforward retirement income (Social Security + one or two 1099-Rs + standard deduction). It handles the mechanics correctly at a significantly lower price.

Neither platform replaces proactive tax planning. Both are backward-looking — they calculate what you owe on income you already received. For forward-looking strategies like Roth conversion optimization, IRMAA threshold management, and ACA subsidy planning, use our calculators alongside your tax software.